Michigan GOP: Foster Kids Only Get Used Clothes

According to the Michigan Messenger, State Sen. Bruce Caswell’s (R) budget proposal would force children in the state’s foster care system to purchase clothing only in used clothing stores.

Children who are placed in foster care receive a state-funded clothing allowance. Under Caswell’s plan, foster children would receive gift cards redeemable only at places like Goodwill and the Salvation Army. Caswell insists the proposal has nothing to do with stigmatizing poor children and everything to do with saving the state money.

Not surprisingly, human services professionals see the proposal differently. Gilda Jacobs, CEO of the Michigan League for Human Services called the plan a shot at the dignity of foster children and one that is especially cruel given how difficult a circumstance these children find themselves in.

Just like the battle in Benton Harbor, Caswell’s proposal shows the single-focused attack on the poor and politically powerless that has come to define the current breed of Republicans. Reasonable checks and transparency in the administration of public benefits is one thing, but Caswell’s proposal is hardly that. It is a pronouncement on the value of these kids, poor and almost homeless usually through no fault their own.

And like all of these Republican initiatives against the poor, it a “solution” in search of a problem. It is not clear just how much Michigan spends on clothing for foster kids nor is is clear just how much this plan would save. That fact alone offers all the proof needed that fiscal austerity is just another dog whistle for social engineering.

Read more: emergency rule, fascism, foster children, michigan, politics, snyder

photo courtesy of thomas_sly via Flickr

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Annmari L.

11:59AM PDT on Jun 6, 2011

I can't imagine the saving of public money with a proposal like this will do any significant change in the budget as a whole. What would actually be a great idea is a sigificant cut in the politicians salaries, specially those that come up with incredibly stupid ideas and those who attack the poor, unemployed and sick!

send a green star

William Y.

6:11AM PDT on May 12, 2011

@ Grace Johnson, evidently the GOP thinks anyone who is not in the super upperclass 1% of the population is a second class citizen.

Grace J.

5:18AM PDT on May 12, 2011

nothing wrong with thrift shops and they are helpful but this should not be the only choice they have, its hard enough for these kids they already feel unwanted and that alone is such a sad thing for them by saying they can only buy clothes at a second hand store tells them that they are only worth second hand stuff what a terrible idea

Antoinette R.

10:04PM PDT on May 10, 2011

Wow I can't believe he would propose such a thing =o

Andy W.

5:14PM PDT on May 5, 2011

As a former foster youth this proposal disgusts me only because the hardest part about being a foster youth is feeling neglected and unwanted. I am disappointed that anyone would want to make the kids that have nothing feel as if they have even less than they already do and though I agree the economy is tough making a child that already has been neglected wear clothes that have already been worn and often times worn out is just as neglectful as the things that caused that child to end up in foster care. I personally would refuse to wear clothes that weren't purchased brand new. I am appalled that anyone who says they are trying help better the life of a child could recommend such a proposal.

Lynn M.

5:14PM PDT on Apr 30, 2011

my kids/grandkids get hand me downs. my favorite place to shop is at salvation army, and thrift stores. my kids// grandkids do not do poorly in school because of it, their friends don't tease them because of it. they too get second hand clothes.

Lynne B.

8:09AM PDT on Apr 30, 2011

The children in foster care are innocents caught up in a situation they have no control over. Treating them as second class citizens by not giving them an opportunity to purchase new clothes is awful. Why must the GOP keep treating the poor like they are second class citizens all the time? Oh, that's right; they're on the payroll on the rich.

Brigid C.

3:42PM PDT on Apr 28, 2011

ALthough all my clothes are used, I can understand a child's need to have some things at least like the other kids in school. They've had a hard enough time as it is without coming to school looking different. They don't need designer clothes, but just what generally the other kids aer wearing.

Morona M.

5:35PM PDT on Apr 27, 2011

These poor kids are in a system, often abusive, through no fault of their own, and you want to make them the butt of their schoolmate's jokes by forcing them to buy second hand clothes. A lot of foster kids are special needs children, and what ever is paid for their care is nowhere near what it costs to care of these kids. The boy who bought the leather jacket? Where was the counselor who was supposed to be with him? I went shopping with foster kids when I was a counselor, and I never would have signed off for that purchase.

Maarja L.

2:18PM PDT on Apr 27, 2011

Thrift shops are not inherently bad, but I guess they don't have great clothes everywhere, so yes, this does sound like a rather stupid idea.