Understanding Government

Tonya Grisby, a 39 year-old grandmother who lives in Chicago’s predominantly black and mostly poor Austin neighborhood, worked at a warehouse until December 2009. But the person Grisby carpooled with to work got laid off and, without a ride, Grisby was soon laid off as well.

Grisby had few prospects for employment until last May when she was hired by Chicago’s Westside Health Authority thanks to Put Illinois to Work – a government subsidized job program. Uncle Sam paid for Grisby to work a 40 hour-a-week front-desk job that paid $10 an hour. (more…)

Still stinging a week after a Los Angeles Times exposé revealed that California welfare recipients could cash out their benefits at ATMs in Indian casinos and cardrooms, comes word again via the LA Times via the that the cards, meant to feed and clothe the needy, may have been used to entice the clothes right off of performers at strip clubs around the state. (more…)