As social workers, we are taught that all people have a right to social and economic justice.

Our social work values, however, are at odds with the realities of how Maine treats its citizens.

After the state of Maine recently cut MaineCare eligibility and services, the government is proposing another round of cuts, including threats to stop funding for Head Start and child care subsidies.

An additional proposal is cutting General Assistance, a last resort emergency aid that helps families avoid homelessness. Furthermore, these cuts will not only affect recipients of aid, but also agency employees, who will lose their jobs.

Are budget cuts really the direction that we want to continue to go? Are there no other options than to pull essential services from people who are already struggling to make ends meet? How can we expect families to improve their circumstances if they are without adequate medical care, housing or child care?

In their attempts to balance the budget, why are state officials so insistent about discontinuing support to impoverished people instead of concentrating their energies on increasing revenue?

We would like to stop discussions on budget cuts and focus on how to increase revenue in Maine.

We want Mainers have a chance to get out of poverty and live happy, healthy lives. Let’s be optimistic, unite and support efforts to create opportunities for profit and stop dialogue about budget cuts.

Amanda Wing

Brunswick (formerly of Augusta)

Copy the Story Link