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SEPTEMBER 2004

Our Forgotten Priorities
by Joanne Kontopirakis

Distinguished columnist Bob Herbert recently explored the changing and diminishing landscape of social services available to children living in poverty. Current government policies have turned a blind eye to the needs of children and the poor nationwide, a part of society that needs support the most.

"I'm pretty baffled now and very pessimistic about the future," said Herbert. I was in Oregon in early 2003 when they were having terrible budget problems. A parent there said to me, 'We didn't close schools in WWII or the Vietnam War, but we're closing schools now because we just can't afford to keep all of them open.'"

Continuing, Herbert said, "In Miami, which is poorer than Camden, N.J, kids are living just above the poverty line with working-class parents. But Jeb Bush won't cover them with public health coverage. He's putting children on a waiting list.  Some of these kids are really sick.

"Go to California where Schwarzenegger is dealing with his budget. He must have the same advisor as in Florida. Here in New York, taxes are being raised at the local level, but you have a governor who wants to fund public schools with the proceeds from OTB-with money lost from people who couldn't afford to gamble in the first place. The policy of N.Y. State is to leave funding for schools as one of the last priorities."

Herbert underscored the importance of remembering two things: if you have kids out of work and out of school, they are going to get in trouble. As a culture, we have a responsibility to provide for the next generation.#

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