December
2006
The Imploding North Side of Milwaukee
Living in Milwaukee can be difficult, especially if you’re black, and especially more if you’re a black male.
Things are not going well on the North Side, where income shrunk in the last year or two or three, but if anyone needed an economic indicator to tell them this, they were fooling themselves. The North Side of Milwaukee is imploding fast.
We criticize the Journal Sentinel during elections, but in the last week, the daily newspaper has given us pause to think about what’s really going down on the North Side by reporting, basically and honestly, how badly things are devolving. The stories began in the middle of last week with the private school voucher bus crash and continued through Sunday, when the daily reported that, yes, even state certified day care centers had succumbed to the drug dealing that is financially propping up the community.
Milwaukee is now #2 in violent crime spike, following Minneapolis at #1. This was reported in the Twin Cities last summer. Why it was left until now in Milwaukee is anybody’s guess. (If reading the JS article linked above, please note that the daily’s reported definition of “The Boston Miracle” is plain wrong, a fundamental flaw in criminal justice and civics reporting that requires a post of its own.)
W-2 is a failure in progress. Please note that any excuses given by the state in this JS article are far from valid. It's time for Gov. Doyle and state Legislators such as Lena Taylor, Barbara Toles and Alberta Darling to reform welfare reform.
Another meltdown in the private school voucher program. In the Milwaukee education market, the "choice" program offers the very poor some very bad consumer choices, at the expense of the good ones. Another state-created problem on the North Side.
Faces of rage in the inner city.
Can I get a witness?
I am a witness.
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John-david Morgan
John-David Morgan, Watchdogging Criminal Justice, Watchdogging the Media
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There are a lot of programs that are really helping kids on the North Side, but it seems like crime is growing more rapidly than the programs. What to do? We cannot give up on this city. Too many people who live in the suburbs or other parts of town are washing their hand of it. We need to come together as a county or even just the metro area, and stop isolating the North Side.
The problems on the Northside seem so immense and broad sweeping – just like the large disenfranchised residential communities within its huge borders. The problems seem so insurmountable one wants to look away or cover their eyes.
Not hard to see the “implosion” was carefully crafted–along with many other social disasters–by the neocons. Both former Govenor Tommy Thompson initiatives; Wisconsin Works/W-2 (organized slavery) & School Choice were sure to create the nightmares being realized today. Luckily, according to Tommy Chong, they’re adding on to that comfy prison for more Republicans …
Until some solid irreversible (keyword) governmental policy changes are made, nothing can really change for the better, can it? Don’t problems like this only dissipate when the land grab begins and they kick everyone to the curb?
Three positive notes here; The New Century Project has been derailed with the mid-term election, boomers will be retiring soon and needing to sell real estate investments to cover medical expenses and interest rates have remained low — the national economy is strong.
Times, they are a changin’ …
Watchdog Reader – You can hardly blame W-2 and School Choice on starting these problems. You, yourself seem too quick to dismiss this all as a problem that can’t be fixed. I do agree that the W-2 and School Choice Programs need to be fixed, but the real problem is people not caring. Government policy changes can only affect that a little bit.
I did not blame W-2 and School Choice for starting the problems, sprawl and zoning oversights and various other issues started the problems .. The programs are just fuel for the fire.
To say no one cares seems silly when caring doesn’t matter if you have no power or resources. Many care! MANY care!
Governmental policy changes lend power and aid to those that care.
I did something; I voted, I am active and I also give to worthy charitable causes (I don’t have much more than a strong will myself).
What more?
Pointing fingers about the *level of care* and where decline began is a waste of time …
You DID blame those two programs along with Tommy Thompson in your very words, “Both former Govenor Tommy Thompson initiatives; Wisconsin Works/W-2 (organized slavery) & School Choice were sure to create the nightmares being realized today.”
Stocks is generally a softy on these issues, because he supports both programs, however in this case I DO agree with him, that you seemed to wash your hands of the problem. Voting and financial support are NOT enough. There has to be a concentrated effort to reach out to these individuals and families on a one-on-one basis. I think we need to be aware of the “level of care” we CAN bring to the table in a true humanitarian effort. Not just giving our $100 to United Way and a bag of clothes to Salvation Army, and then moving on.
Both:
Many issues are to blame, W-2 & School Choice are the “fuel”, is what was written. Inter-workings of the neocons were where the blame was put. Those two programs being shining examples. Neither of you have given proof that they ARE NOT big players. You are just stating they are not. “Uh-uh” is not much of an argument.
Those programs are TERRIBLE, but you are not the recipients of aid from the programs, you can’t see the flaws/traps/repercussions … You can’t because you aren’t on the inside and don’t want to see it for what it is. Nothing new.
And, perhaps $100.00 and a bag of clothes is what you give and why you came up with that. I do more than that, much more! Besides, who is to sit and judge what is enough for anyone to give??
What are you doing? What is anyone doing? Right now, it’s not enough! With the damage done, it will seem like nothing is ever getting done. That was my point!
What do you suggest? How about posting some links to the orgs/programs that are doing something posititve?
That would be a productive argument.
http://www.thespiritualthing.com
The work being done by Stocks is not in question. He was an integral part of Elim Tabernacle’s Rock-A-Block’s giving away hundreds of bikes, air conditioners, and food to 5 poverty-stricken parts of the city. He was also involved in Elim Christian Academy as a School Choice Program, he is now at Living Word Apostolic Church heading up the ministries to help homeless families and children in Milwaukee, working in food drives, and toy drives, as well as helping disabled children, and gang members on the south side.. He is also working with Hope House on 2nd and Orchard.
I have worked with SDC, the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, Spirit of Freedom with Fred Hyde (substance abuse program), the Gospel Light House, Pacific Garden Missions in Chicago.
Is that a productive enough argument? Obviously, I don’t have any idea what you do for some of these kinds of situations, my comments were only in response for your lack of interest in solving the problems, as stated in your post. My apologies if you are being proactive; however, you didn’t seem to eager to think you could affect change.
James –
Our “Children Serving Milwaukee” Project is just under-way, and we are just getting started. The web page has been giving me trouble, but we hope to have it looking like it used to very shortly.
As far as the Rock-A-Block’s, I only helped out with 2 of the 5, but we also did a ham dinner delivery to 100 hard-up families in the Milwaukee area for Easter.
I am looking for information on the Fred Hyde substance abuse program, but it looks to me like Spirit of Freedom kind of disappeared after the 80′s. You can e-mail me at billyd1988@yahoo.com if you have info. Thanks.
Bill – Here it is:
http://www.sofm.org/
Bill Stocks -
I don’t believe it was Mr. Morgan’s intention to diminish all the wonderful programs that are in place (and the people who devote their lives and time/money to them) by leaving them out.
Nor was I saying; “cover your eyes and look away” by expressing feelings of despair over the enormity of the many, many problems when trying to look at the BIG PICTURE.
James –
No, there was no productive argument to support your view on either W-2 or School Choice. However, you did testify for Bill Stock’s character, and I am grateful for it, thank you.
Both –
We can disagree on how we got here, but if you don’t lay out your argument we can’t find any common ground. If you feel these programs are more beneficial than harmful, please explain. And, in response, perhaps some “witnesses” (on the inside) will chime in to present other angles to you.
W-2 is a trap, and nothing short of it. School Choice syphons educational dollars from those who need it most. The successes within both of these programs are limited. Supporting these programs (and a variety of others) is nothing short of negligence. These programs perpetuate very REAL HUMAN SUFFERING in our own backyards. I for one, am ashamed and feel helpless most of the time.
American welfare systems either; derive their formulas and equations in drunken bubbles of isolation with an english dart board for making decisions or the system’s policies have been tweaked over the years to drive the classes apart and kill the middle class (who pay for all the programs but are ineligible as beneficiaries).
Look at the numbers — can you? Have YOU ever been on the INSIDE?? I have. The numbers don’t add up. HOW can it be a good program?? Good for the companies and politicians NOT the people.
What a dream it is when company business model’s are built around it’s MOST VALUABLE ASSETS – it’s work force. What would it take in Milwaukee, Wisconsin or our nation to start kicking-back to companies for treating workers mindfully instead of supporting (building) denigrating programs like W-2?
How about starting with gaining some control over the insurance industry?
More back to the problem; there are many holes in “the system’s” ability to meet needs as well as the dissemination of information regarding programs trying to make a difference within neighborhoods and churches etc … Instead of your shallow arguments and sideways attacks about what is enough to give, it would seem more effective to pull the leaders together and not isolate specific areas of the city – as Mr Stocks mentioned. I would suggest some good people organizing a greater effort on a massive scale inviting all the leaders of ALL of Milwaukee’s small private charities/programs/efforts. I think within an organization for a “GREATER MILWAUKEE” (just an idea – may already exist) where the leaders join together regularly resources of all kinds could be pooled better .. I think a website (with a php bulletin board), organized weekly print publication and the pro-bono employ of a grant writer would be a great start.
I thank you for posting your links, they were a positive addition.
I just don’t see how the W-2 is a bad thing. Providing help for people willing to help themselves by working. Maybe I am looking at it wrong, but prior to the W-2 program there were way too many baby-making-money-machines. I know that sounds cruel, but under-age kids living in the projects with their own cell phones and Air Jordans, selling their food stamps for cash so they can get drunk or high….come on.
My kid getting a better education because he can go to a school of choice………priceless.
James,
That’s just rhetoric. Prior to W-2 Air Jordans didn’t exist and cell phones were not cool.
Do you think fertility rates have gone down because of W-2? Usage at food pantries has skyrocketed. Wisconsin is one of the few states that makes it difficult to get food stamps these days.
James –
…. Sounds like the neocons accurately programmed you — please don\’t vote!
As a place to start; the monthly check and the food provisions aren\’t nearly enough for ANYONE to survive on in Wisconsin.
THEN, if families ever begin to stabilize, support is tapered off well before a workable equation is accomplished. The cost of working/daycare far exceed what income can be realized at the cut off point. Also, the cost to the worker for healthcare offered through employers if not workable .. and, that the kids won\’t get the minimum of that (disgusting and unhealthy Salt/Trans Fat Saturated) free government food through the schools.
It\’s the trap seen when they start achieving and following the formula that keeps people IN the system.
The planned failure system is all tied together though .. Title 19 health care programs don\’t have resources to provide more than an office visit (including a 3 hour wait in chairs — further debilitating ability to earn income while seeking health care). Providing physicians have no choices; medical equipment, surgical opportunities and medicines are limited for the working poor and indigent on W-2 (most often performing the most labor intensive jobs in our society). How many qualified physicians work within the network?? How many qualified physicians can tolerate providing only what is allowed? Working recipients of W-2 with labor-related injuries largely receive a pat on the back and waive through when they really aren\’t well at all.
Now let\’s do math on that for a minute, just a minute. Try to link together; cooperation at physically demanding jobs, poor health from receiving limited care, and continued physical, emotional and financial strain of never having enough care, food, money or time – progress will be lost repeatedly. Change will take education, support and time, not mandatory reporting at a participating sweat shop.
It\’s all tied together.
This world is a dangerous place full of traps and bad stealthy policies to insure the rich get richer and the poor serve the rich and die without dignity — if you can\’t see the flaw immediately in something \”given\” to the indigent, you need to look closer – it is just constructed for the recipient to figure out when they are broken and trapped.
Feel fortunate for the place you were born as a MALE into our class system, clearly it wasn\’t at the bottom-most rung. Feel fortunate life has kept you health enough to compete. Learn empathy.
Regarding your comments specifically;
==> Being a fortunate recipient of a program that benefits few is not a reason to support a policy or any lump of policies – which it seems you have here by commenting without a valid argument.
==> The \”baby-making-machines\” are created due to lack of opportunity, BROKEN WILLS, and desire to SURVIVE at the most basic/minimal level – forget being allowed a bit of dignity.
==> The cell phones are a necessary communication device, for safety. They live in a war zone with no pay phones — duh. I have lived all over this country, my children (17 &11) both have cell phones in their bags when they leave the house, it\’s a small price to pay to increase their chances of survival and feelings of security.
This world is full of dangerous people tempting fate and voting against themselves daily …
You know what? I am tired of people who put their own opinions on a blog and ask other readers to participate in discussing it. Then, when the opinions of the readers don’t agree with the opinion of the blogger or their friends they are told they should not vote.
I have a very close friend who constantly tries to sell his WIC groceries for cash so he can go get faded. His brother also does the same. He told another co-worker that if she needed cash to go hang out at Pick-n-Save and there are plenty of people who are willing to cash in on their government aid. Maybe you guys are not privy to this kind of lifestyle, but it exists all over Milwaukee County. My cousin’s ex-wife continues to get help from through the state for health insurance, after-school programs, dental, rent assistance and still works her $10 an hour cash job that she doesn’t report. What kind of person would do this? She is living in New Berlin living in a $800 a month town house, driving a new Jeep Cherokee, and laughs when people ask her why she is always running a scam. Another man I work with makes about $45,000 a year, but gets his mail at a PO Box, so the state won’t know he is actually living with his girlfriend of 15 years, allowing her to collect welfare benefits. I could go on. You guys are way too naive to what is going on in this city. I have worked with these people on a daily basis for 20 years, and 2 out of every 3 cases, they are “manipulating” the system. W-2 was supposed to eliminate some of that, and I am sure it has forced people to admit they have a job or get a job. I am trying real hard hear to be polite, but you guys seem so out-of-touch with this stuff it blows my mind.
Neo-cons? I voted for Clinton. When it was W vs. Gore, I voted for Gore. When it was W. vs. Kerry I did not vote.
James -
I HAVE lived in those neighborhoods and been on aid and know many who have been on aid & of those who run scams .. More aren\’t running any scams than are. How many do you know that aren\’t scamming the system? (Honest struggling people, are nothing to talk about, they are busy working not socializing.) What about them?
The system is not enough — that\’s why the fraud, crime, sex and addictions happen — the trap is planned that way.
People on welfare do not ONLY live in the cities where these set-ups and infractions are possible. In fact, many more do not and they are NOT drug users committing fraud.
People that sell their aid because THEY NEED TO feed their addiction are ILL. They need REAL drug TREATMENT programs (refer to my last post), not the façade our system appears to provide in lieu of that.
It\’s all tied together.
James,
Yes, I threw it out there, and sorry if comments are still getting personal. We’re trying to discourage that sort of thing, but it still happens.
If we go back to the original post, the shrinking income, the crime and the epidemic drug use and trade were the core symptoms to show that the patient is in trouble. W-2 and School Choice were state cures with links showing that neither program is doing what they were intended, though you’ll get an entirely separate debate about W-2′s intentions.
True, it’s difficult for recipients to scam off of W-2 because the people running the program are in the habit of denying services … but Gary George’s eyes got big when he saw those TANIF surpluses and siphoned them into a media business in the Virgin Islands. The denial of service, medicaid and food stamps, to low income working women with children has been the big story since the program started. You don’t have to join the work program to qualify for those benefits. Homeless shelters saw an increase in women with kids right off the bat w/ W-2.
School Choice is a mixed bag, but the negatives — the schools with no books, unpaid teachers, the scamming have not received nearly enough attention, while the archdiocese drives how the state deals with the program. That’s not fair to families who can’t get their kids in Messmer and are left with the same lousy consumer choices they get nearly everywhere else in the economy.
The crime gets our attention (how many shootings were there Saturday night – I lost track) and everyone understands that more jobs (outside the crack trade) would be a boon, but we do have to look seriously at these programs and how the state uses its resources as part of the problem.
I am glad you did not totally come back with another slam on my personal preference, including the RIGHT to vote. Yes, I agree with you both that the problems still exist, but I just don’t see how you can fault the programs themselves for those very problems. Just like I shouldn’t have generalized the abusers of the programs, you shouldn’t generalize the people trying to create solutions. There are scam artists on both sides, but the programs are positive in nature.
There is your common ground. Trying to create programs to help people get the right kind of help. W-2 and Scool Choice (I believe) are some examples of those kinds of programs. I agree they have been abused, so maybe they need tweaking. I don’t think they should be done away with. Thanks for your insight. I hope you didn’t mind mine.
Certainly don’t mind the insight; it is encouraged. And your readership is greatly appreciated – thank you.
More than tweaking is needed in both programs, although I wonder where the political will to do so will come from. W-2 and Choice were not the big election issues.
Both programs aren’t going anywhere, and Doyle and the Legislature may have now have an opportunity to fix at least W-2 now that Republican power is broken in the Legislature. School Choice is much more difficult to fix. I don’t know if the political will exists in Madison to do much about it.