More fallout from the bus strike: Yesterday, for the weekly mental health group I facilitate at the drop-in center where I work, participation was about half of what it usually is with eight clients attending. During check-in, all but one participant mentioned how stressful the bus strike been. A few clients have lost the services of Personal Care Attendants and Home Health Aides because their providers earn just a little above minimum wage and depend on public transit since they obviously cannot afford a car. The money Peter Bell and Tim Pawlenty think they're saving tax payers my end up paying for the hospitalization of citizens with mental illness experiencing increased isolation and loss of services on account of the strike. Then there's the unemployment benefits for people who stand to lose their jobs because of the strike. Affordable transportation is every bit as important as affordable housing.
Also, many of the adult education services offered at the Lehman Center (which is in my neighborhood) stand to lose considerable funding on account of the strike, since the money these programs receive is tied to daily attendance. Sounds like Governor Pawlenty and Peter Bell found an effective means to escalate their war against the poor and vulnerable. My suggestion to Mayor Rybak and other DFL elected officials (and Greens and Independents as well): Find a Community Support Program or residential high rise where there's a high low-income population. Talk to the people there and then hold a joint press conference so that the public can see the impact this strike is having on our most vulnerable citizens.--------Peter Schmitz CARAG REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
