More poor-shaming, this time by Lewiston Mayor Macdonald

[eShirl]

He wants to publish the names and personal information of welfare recipients, as is done now with sex offenders. Here he is in his own words:

http://www.twincitytimes.com/events/enough-is-enough-mainers-have-a-right-to-know-how-their-money-is-spent

In Maine there is a website that lists the pension amounts received by everyone who is issued a monthly check by the State of Maine. No privacy here because this is being paid out by the State; accordingly, taxpayers have a right to know.

Yet other recipients of state revenues are shielded. Yes, I am referring to those known as welfare recipients. Why are they treated differently than pensioners? (A rhetorical question).

The answer: our liberal, progressive legislators and their social-service allies have made them a victimized, protected class. It’s none of your business how much of your money they get and spend. Who are you to question it? Just shut up and pay!

Well, the days of being quiet are gone. We will be submitting a bill to the next legislative session asking that a website be created containing the names, addresses, length of time on assistance and the benefits being collected by every individual on the dole. After all, the public has a right to know how its money is being spent.

If you're poor, your very existence is offensive to political louts such as Macdonald and LePage.

[shenmue]

1. What a mean prick

[catrose]

2. Appalled. Should they wear shirts with targets too?

I feel sure that the mayor has heard of doxing and thinks it's a great thing to do to the poors.

And do the state pensioners have their addresses published too?

[Glorfindel]

3. That should be interesting. Women over 85 in nursing homes are a huge part of

"the dole." Start publishing the names of everyone's mom and grandmother and see how quickly people's opinions will change. I think many people would be surprised how many extremely prosperous families have elderly parents/grandparents whose nursing home stays are being covered by Medicaid (welfare) as opposed to Medicare, which doesn't pay for custodial care.

[eShirl]

4. ...aaand, the story makes the Washington Post (link)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/09/24/mayor-of-lewiston-maine-wants-to-publicize-whos-on-welfare-and-where-they-live/?tid=sm_tw

The mayor, first elected in 2011, has been a vocal critic of government assistance programs in the past, and his tendency to not mince words has earned him the spotlight. His remarks that immigrants should “leave your culture at the door” sparked small protests and calls for his resignation after they were included in a BBC documentary that aired on Sept. 11, 2012.

Lewiston — with about 36,000 residents — is one of Maine’s most populous cities and has become home to many Somali refugees. Macdonald later attempted to clarify his remarks, saying that they were taken out of context and that he never said anything disparaging about the Somali community.

In 2014, Macdonald said Lewiston couldn’t afford to become a “dumping ground” for asylum-seeking refugees moving from other parts of the state. In 2013, he launched a citywide effort aimed at “welfare cheats” and kicked 80 people off assistance; criminal charges were pressed against a handful for fraud.

“We’re not going to be known as a welfare town anymore,” Macdonald said in March 2013. “If you want to come here, don’t come here for welfare because if we catch you, you will be prosecuted.”

I remember this guy now. He sounds like he wants to be the next Paul LePage (who wants to be the next Scott Walker).

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

5. MacDonald has always been a jerk

MacDonald talked trash about his opponent's campaign after he won the first time around. Even worse, MacDonald's opponent died a few days prior, which makes MacDonald not only a sore winner, but also an insensitive bastard.

Hopefully, you all can see this link (I've read my ten free ones for the month already).

http://www.pressherald.com/2011/12/14/lewiston-gets-a-new-mayor/

Here's another link with some more info.

http://www.mpbn.net/News/MPBNNews/tabid/1159/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3762/ItemId/19395/Default.aspx