GOP threatens W-2 Families with 6 month ban from program for one offense. The Kids? Who Cares.

Our authoritarian leaders and “father figures” must be our disciplinarians. They must watch over us, keep us in line with a firm hand. The Walker aristocracy and royal Fitzgerald court is now in order:

WKOW: A new bill introduced in the Wisconsin State Legislature provides for tougher penalties beginning with a first offense.

Tougher penalties for those already in poverty? Hey, how much worse can it get? A lot worse:

Rep. Scott Krug (R-Wisconsin Rapids) wrote a bill that would change (W2) dramatically. "What this bill is trying to do, is to make sure that we have those individuals held accountable," Rep. Krug said, "Forging of documents, not reporting assets that are coming into the household, not reporting how many family members are in the household," Rep. Krug explained.

Those lazy freeloaders, Krug will show them.

The "Wisconsin Works" program, provides work assistance and financial benefits for low-income parents. Right now, people can defraud the W-2 program twice without facing any penalties. This bill seeks to add a six-month ban for first time offenders and a year-long ban for a second offense.

In the video piece, MaryAnn Lippert acts as though we’re all simpletons…that if you over enunciate very slowly in a very condescending way, the harsh penalties levied by our overlords just might sink into our thick heads.  

"I stress the word "intentional" program violation," said MaryAnn Lippert of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, which oversees W-2.  "An intentional program violation, bottom line, means lie. They will have to sign a new participation agreement.  And in that participation agreement, it will be very clear what an intentional program violation is and what the consequences are."

The "B" word comes to mind, ya think? So what about starving the kids?

But several committee members, both Republican and Democrat, expressed the same concern about those new penalties: what about the children of those parents who commit the fraud? "The biggest problem is that you deprive the children in the family of benefits for six months, 12 months, or permanently, based upon the wrongdoing of a parent," said Bob Andersen of Wisconsin Legal Action, which provides legal services to low-income people. Andersen recommends an amendment be added to ensure that children aren't as negatively affected.

But, DCF officials maintain that the entire concept of W-2 is to make the parents responsible for their own families. 

Even though it is Republican legislation, even Rep. Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake) said he believes the issue of depriving those children may still need to be addressed before it is passed through committee.