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This week, Donovan and Harrison follow up on a question that’s been brewing over their coverage of police procedurals, which suck and are terrible forever and evermore amen, which is: well, if it doesn’t look like that, then what does it look like?
But first, what’s in the news?
Donovan and Harrison squint their eyes into the camera and fearmonger about the recent sacking of a beloved Foxman. In the time since the recording, on Tuesday the 25th, more information has come to light.
In the episode proper, the question of “How Do You Fight Crime?” narrows as “How Do You Fight Theft?” with the possibility of other crimes later! And the answer is only too logical, so we use “The Top 12 Solutions To Cut Poverty in the United States” from American Progress as a guide. Or at least, three of those 12. In doing so, we talk about the pushback against putting money in the hands of people who “didn’t earn it,” giving rise to useless lines of thinking like “handout nation” and “welfare queens.” And we take a look at the actual organizations doing the work, whether grassroots or entrenched bureaucracy. Do these orgs need help?
“The mission of Project Reflect is to transform urban America through education and policy reforms. Our focus is education for children who live in a culture of poverty and who are at risk of school failure. The goal is to move them to a culture of learning and responsibility for self and others–to empower them as gifted, talented, and learning the hidden rules that will enable them to succeed in life. Among Project Reflect’s programs are advocacy for education reform focusing on Tennessee; Smithson Craighead Academy (K-4 charter school); the PREP After-School Program; the PREP Summer Camp; and collaboration with GOTR (Girls On The Run) for personal development through track sports training.”
Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)
“The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) assists and empowers low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long term economic self-sufficiency. DTA serves one in seven residents of the Commonwealth with direct economic assistance (cash benefits) and food assistance (SNAP benefits), as well as workforce training opportunities.”
“Raise Up Massachusetts is a grassroots coalition of more than 150 community organizations, faith-based groups, and labor unions committed to building an economy that works for everyone. Field First, led by Carl Nilsson, has coordinated the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition for the past five years, building a shared strategy and driving the execution of winning campaigns. Since the coalition came together in 2013, it has consistently fought for workers’ rights and to better our economy, and won improvements to wages and benefits affecting millions of workers and their families.”
Runtime: [01:27:29]
Music Selection: “Amazing Robocop Rap“
Further Reading
20 Food Stamp Fraud Statistics To Know in 2023
As food aid program winds down, another piece of the COVID-era safety net gets snipped away
State-funded extra SNAP benefits in Massachusetts begin this month
House G.O.P.’s Plan to Cut Food Stamps Threatens a Tough Vote
GOP’s Debt Limit Plan Would Cost 2.6 Million Jobs, Report Finds
House G.O.P. Passes Debt Limit Bill, Paving the Way for a Clash With Biden
Poorer Americans have much lower voting rates in national elections than the nonpoor, a study finds
Republicans Grapple With Raising the Minimum Wage
Widespread Support in Mass. for $20 Minimum Wage, New Poll Shows
Questions: We Don't Have Answers 