Tuesday, November 27, 2007
"An assault on the Poor"
"An assault on the poor" that is what dissenting judges said in the case of the San Diego's district Attorney's program "Project 100%" Project 100% was started to eliminate welfare fraud by conducting warrant less searches of homes of applicants for welfare--to make sure who was living there, including searching closets and cabinets. Those who denied entry to the agents/officers were denied assistance.
The Supreme Court yesterday refused a writ of certiorari ( to hear) a San Diego County case of unannounced warrant less searches of public assistance applicants or in other words no more 4th amendment rights if you are asking for help!
While most of us might say, well, they are poor and we do not want fraud. The fact is that they are still citizens. Though if they accept public housing they are subject to more warrant less searches courtesy of a HUD (Housing and Urban Development) Public Housing Act and a 2002 Supreme court case (HUD v Rucker) that allows for evictions if the guests of a tenant in public housing might have engaged in criminal activity on or off the public housing premises--or no more freedom of association.
Oh, but this is to keep them safe and orderly. And, if they only worked harder they would not be poor. . .You can work very hard at minimum wage and not make enough to survive (do the math: $7.15 times 40hours times fifty two weeks) How many jobs must they have at minimum wage to even reach the federal standard of paying 30% of their gross wages for housing (and utility) costs? Three full time jobs at minimum!
How far away are you from any governmental program? Could this happen to you?
The Supreme Court yesterday refused a writ of certiorari ( to hear) a San Diego County case of unannounced warrant less searches of public assistance applicants or in other words no more 4th amendment rights if you are asking for help!
While most of us might say, well, they are poor and we do not want fraud. The fact is that they are still citizens. Though if they accept public housing they are subject to more warrant less searches courtesy of a HUD (Housing and Urban Development) Public Housing Act and a 2002 Supreme court case (HUD v Rucker) that allows for evictions if the guests of a tenant in public housing might have engaged in criminal activity on or off the public housing premises--or no more freedom of association.
Oh, but this is to keep them safe and orderly. And, if they only worked harder they would not be poor. . .You can work very hard at minimum wage and not make enough to survive (do the math: $7.15 times 40hours times fifty two weeks) How many jobs must they have at minimum wage to even reach the federal standard of paying 30% of their gross wages for housing (and utility) costs? Three full time jobs at minimum!
How far away are you from any governmental program? Could this happen to you?
Labels: Fourth Amendment, poor, Supreme Court, warrantless searches
