Pork Shortage for the Homeless (more bush* failures)

Pork Shortage for the Homeless

Published: December 27, 2003

The grinding effects of three years of lost jobs are showing up in continuing increases in hunger and homelessness in the nation's major cities. More than four out of five cities had to turn away applicants at emergency shelters this year. Limited resources are being pinched by rising demand, particularly from increasing numbers of families who are losing their homes, according to a survey by the United States Conference of Mayors. Requests for emergency food rose again, with more than 1 in 10 of the needy turned away for lack of resources. Most of the mayors anticipate that the demands will only grow next year despite the recovery.

The Bush administration has announced a $1.27 billion array of grants devoted to homeless programs nationwide. This is commendable, especially in the administration's fostering of 10-year, localized strategies to end homelessness. But the resources fall far short of the true needs in such critical areas as vouchers for low-rent housing. Waiting lists are growing as affordable housing shrinks for the working poor and gentrification eats up the stock.

It is not as if there is no money in Washington to ease the tightening shelter-and-food vise for the poor. Congress is taking its holiday break after a sugarplum feast in the Capitol, unwrapping an estimated $23 billion of pork-barrel projects in members' home districts. That is nearly 20 times the amount granted to help the homeless. And it is earmarked for special favors for constituents beyond the normal budget — to a record doubling of special-interest spending in just five years. The grab bag includes $50 million for an indoor rain forest planned as an environmental tourist attraction in Iowa. There is also $500,000 for a program at the University of Akron called "Exercise in Hard Choices." (It is — seriously — about how Congress makes the budget.)




http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/27/opinion/27SAT3.html

tainted or not. A good place to dump all suspect beef by the bfee!