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D.C. government tells the poor “Thanks for breakn’ us off, dawg”
The D.C. government employees tasked with providing care to the city’s poor have taken home nearly half of the more than $1 million in bonus money awarded by the District during the first half of fiscal 2005.
Nearly 400 employees in the D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS) received approximately $479,000 in extra money in their paychecks from Oct. 1, 2004, to March 31, 2005, according to D.C. Office of Personnel records.
Citywide, the D.C. government awarded 565 bonus payments for $1.06 million.
…The top bonus in the city went to an employee who no longer works for the District. Eric Price [Bio], former deputy for Planning and Economic Development, received a $13,239 bonus before his resignation in January 2005. (more…)
To be fair, much of this sounds like poor financial management as opposed to intentional stealing from most of the employees who received the “hook up”. Upper management is a whole ‘nother story.
Another case where if the government was non-Democratic controlled, accusations of racism would would be heard from the usual mouths.
Jesse claims that black folks are too afraid to return back to N.O.
Once again, self-proclaimed leaders want to paint the picture that blacks are too afraid to do something for ourselves:
Jesse Jackson: Few on bus were from New Orleans
WWLTV.com
Reverend Jesse Jackson now acknowledges that at least 150 of the 200 people he bused into New Orleans were not local evacuees and that most were not even from southeast Louisiana.
Jackson had condemned government leaders for failing to use local, displaced workers to fill the rebuilding jobs, so he organized a bus pickup of people in Chicago, Memphis, St. Louis and Jackson, Mississippi to try to recruit locals to return.
The group arrived at a Metairie Piccadilly to a triumphant welcome and job applications. Most of those interviewed by Eyewitness News said they were not returning locals.
… He said he believes fear is one reason people aren’t coming back.
“The uncertainty about water, about housing, about receptions upon their return home,†said Jackson, listing some of the reasons he was given. “That’s a real dilemma, so I think we’re going to keep mobilizing people. They have a right to return, but when they get here they must have housing and jobs.†(more…)
Never mind the fact that South American people from all over America have somehow been able to put “fear” behind them and find jobs and housing without the bus.
As long as New Orleans residents have been able to find housing (their own apartment/house) , and a steady job, they should not feel obligated to go back. With that being said, those who want to twist this issue to make it seem that the poor residents of that area are not able to find work because they are too confused, need direction, or just afraid should take note.
