http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/01/opinion/punishing-poverty.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=punishing%20poverty&st=cse
According to the article some states and cities, including New York City, are "inflicting punitive measures on people who seek government help". The author provided several examples of this including how Rick Perry passed a law for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program which required people to submit a urine sample and pass a drug test. Also, New York City insists on electronic fingerprints by people applying for food stamps. This often causes people to not receive food as they are afraid to give their fingerprint.
I thought the author did an excellent job in persuading the reader that cities and states must stop making laws and such that deter the needy from receiving benefits such as food stamps. I don't think there is anything wrong with letting all the poor people in the US to receive such benefits. Once in a while there might be some jerk who falsely receives benefits by pretending to be poor yet that will be on his conscience and I am sure that wouldn't happen often.
Great picture.
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