JOPLIN, Mo. —
Marilyn Beasley’s letter of Sept. 10 states in part: “I can prove the facts to back up what I write.” Is she serious? If so, is she suffering from short-term memory loss? Most likely her information comes from an unreliable source, namely, Fox News.
Being said, I feel obligated to prove the writer wrong.
I make reference to her column of early August, which reads “Obama’s Department of Health and Human Services issued a directive under Section 7/12/12 to declare the work standards written in the Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act to be null and void which sends a message to welfare recipients they no longer need to make an effort to find work.”
To ascertain the credibility of Beasley’s commentary I contacted local and state Social Services. They informed me they didn’t have the slightest idea what the writer was talking about.
Direct communications with Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., informed me no such directive was issued by President Obama or his staff. Personal conversations with the press agency of the Department of Health and Human Services also confirmed it was not true.
However, there were a few state governors (mostly Republicans) who requested the administration to their state, stating it would be more cost effective, eliminate duplication of work and expedite the claim processing. Our president had no objections to their requests with the following stipulation: They would continue to fully comply with the Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act and Temporary Assistance guidelines.
In Bill Clinton’s address to the National Democratic Convention he criticized the GOP for creating lies about the president and wanting to null and void the work standards written in the act.
No sarcasm intended, hopefully the writer will never have to apply for welfare assistance as she’ll learn it’s not as easy as she believes.
Jim Williams
Joplin
Opinion
Your View: Truth vs. rumor
- Opinion
-
-
Other Views: Still inspiring
Cutbacks in the military budget and the still-recovering economy mean this Memorial Day weekend will go down as a relatively subdued affair — relative, that is, to our usual end-of-school, official-start-of-summer blowout.
-
Our View: Setting standard
The sight of hundreds of young student volunteers walking across Moore’s Fourth Street interstate overpass had to be uplifting to the city’s tornado victims.
-
Our View: Safer schools
Being able to see for ourselves what would have happened to our children had they been standing in the main hall of their schools during the May 22, 2011, tornado had a profound effect on our understanding of safe schools.
-
Marilyn Beasley, guest columnist: Claiming responsibility for abuse of power
Over the past few months we’ve witnessed the abuse of power by President Barack Obama and his administration.
-
Our View: ‘Why?’ has no answer
Just hours before, there was breakfast and laughter. There were pictures on the walls and memories in every room.
-
Our View: Absent from House
We can’t figure out why two Missouri legislators think they should be elected to the U.S. House when it appears they can’t seem to show up to take care of business in the Missouri House.
-
Your View: Terrible injustice
I see this Jasper County nuisance law as a terrible injustice on the rights of the residents of Jasper County.
-
Your View: Should we be outraged?
Were there effusive apologies following the lockdown of Boston as most of the continent indulged vicariously in the ongoing manhunt?
-
Your View: Terrorism is terrorism
In the May 13 issue of The Joplin Globe there was an Associated Press article concerning the New Orleans shooting.
-
Phill Brooks, columnist: Missouri Senate did what Founding Fathers had in mind
George Washington once described the Senate as being like a saucer in which you pour coffee or tea.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Other Views: Still inspiring
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
