Burgess Owens: “this process of the rule shows contempt for poor people and poor children, just as legislation also shows contempt.…”

“this process of the rule shows contempt for poor people and poor children, just as legislation also shows contempt. Welfare legislation should not demonize poor children. Yes, first we must remember that the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Act is a safety net program for children, for poor children. Helping mothers to find jobs is only a means to accomplish the end of providing necessities for children. These children are a vital part of the fabric of America. History clearly exposes the fact that poor children of America have grown up to supply the majority of the foot soldiers who have been maimed and killed by the wars of this Nation. The overwhelming majority of the heroes whose names are engraved on the Vietnam War Wall Memorial are soldiers who came from families who would qualify for free school lunches, food stamps and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. If we are so unfortunate that we are entrapped into a prolonged war against terrorism and it becomes necessary to institute a draft again, the first and greatest number to be drafted will be the children from the poorest families in America. Helping children out of poverty and not harassing the so-called welfare mothers should be the goal and mission of the reauthorization of TANF legislation. After 5 years of this program, which has been labeled a great success, why are there more children living in poverty than before? Have the infant mortality rates decreased?…”