Conceptually, the Family Foundation has no problem with Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's new task force on poverty reduction.
What bothers officials at the socially conservative organization, they say, is that the task force's mission seems to overlook what they see as a key factor to poverty prevention: encouraging marriage.
The foundation's executive director, Victoria Cobb, called on Kaine Thursday to instruct task force members to consider the relationship between divorce, out-of-wedlock pregnancy and poverty.
"We must be willing to go to the source of poverty if we want to address it," Cobb told reporters at a press conference. "A healthy, stable marriage is the best safety net for men, women and children."
Strengthening marriage has been a priority for the Family Foundation over the years.
The group this year successfully lobbied for legislation that incorporates instruction on the benefits of marriage into the family life education curriculum taught in Virginia schools.
The group also was one of the driving forces behind passage of the 2006 state constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
At a news conference Thursday, Republican Del. Bill Janis suggested that the state establish a marriage and fatherhood initiative.
Janis, of Henrico County, said the state could partner with community and faith-based groups to provide training to prospective spouses and parents.
Funding for such programs could be taken from federal welfare subsidies the state receives, Janis said.
Task force co-chair Marilyn Tavenner, Virginia's Health and Human Resources secretary, said panel members will consider marriage and family issues.
"We agree. It's a big piece, but it's not the only piece," Tavenner said, noting that Virginia provides funding for several community parenting and marriage workshops.
Kaine created the task force on poverty last month and charged it with developing a plan over the next year that details the opportunities and challenges to reducing poverty - recent data shows that roughly 739,000 state residents, nearly one-tenth of Virginia's population, live in poverty.
The task force is expected to present its recommendations in spring 2010, after Kaine's term has ended.
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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don, I think you may need to reference those numbers
Median income Federal income tax actually paid has gone down, I find it hard to believe that state and local is eating the rest at that same income level, which is about 50K for a family of 4. There are many deductions which affect the actual tax outlay, particularly medical.
The top corporate income tax (which is passed on in consumer cost) is way down since the 50's. And the actual taxes paid by corporations is lower yet.
I am talking particularly about the last 30 years, when dual income really started to become the norm and women entered the workforce in greater numbers. Median household income has gone from about 44K in 1979 to about 50K today, or about 15% over 30 years. I think the cost of living has gone up much more and it usually takes 2 incomes to produce that family treasure.
I find it interesting that we now refer to spouses
as economic partners. It is only in the last 30 years or so that the majority of households had two wage earners because of the failure of working and middle class wages to keep up with the cost of living, particularly health care and education.
Global economics has brought a very strong downward pressure on our wages, except at the top income brackets. Yet the prices have gone up at a steady rate. So the household that used to afford a car or two, a home, maybe a cottage for vacations, college educations for the offspring and some discretionary income can no longer do so without dual incomes and serious debt, with each earner probably not making enough to support the family by him or herself.
So what used to be a benefit (stable marriage) for raising children and maintaining social order, is now a requirement for economically affording family life, and often at the cost of quality child rearing.
Its not prices or even wages
The percentage of our incomes which go to the ACTUAL cost of food, clothing, and shelter have steadily declined over the last 50 years. What has gone up, and made the two income family the norm, is our tax burden, much of it concealed as the embedded tax component of prices for goods and services.
50 years ago, the total Federal, State and local tax burden ran about 15% of middle class income. It is now between 42% and 51% and in most two income families, the lesser income is completely consumed by taxes, albeit largely invisibly.
But it is not a matter of stagnant wages or rising REAL prices that makes Mommie take a job, it is the growth of government.
Regardless of morality
Marriage remains one of the most certain means of avoiding poverty. A reliable economic partner sharing common interests and spreading the risks inherent in life provides great protection against the unexpected.
Come to think of it, if one spouse is a good idea, then multiple spouses would be an even better hedge against unexpected difficulties.
Why didn't I think of that when I was younger?
Yeah Listen Up
There are babies born to unmarried couples (or single women) because the woman either chooses to remain single to preserve her autonomy, or the individuals are being extremely irresponsible and not thinking about the consequences of their actions. However, they are not plotting to get money from the government when a regular job provides more security, money, better food, and MUCH BETTER healthcare for their children. Anyway, if you're stupid enough to have one child after another while you're on government assistance, then you're probably not smart enough to devise this plan to exploit government "handouts."
not so fast
I disagree with the fact you think these people are not smart enough to figure out how to work the system... In fact, it is in deed the folks who are having baby after baby that are masters at working the system. If you just have one baby the assistance the govt provides is not enough to get by on alone. If you have 2-3 more, the check keeps increasing... By the time you have 5 kids the check is finally enough to pay for everything you need. Why would I want to get a job if having one more kid will increase my benefits enough for me not to need the extra income??? They are smarter than you give them credit for...
Okay people, listen up.
Here is how it works for you people that are not living in the real world. Two people have a child, they are not married. The boyfriend continues living with the woman and has a job. The woman goes to the government and says that she has this child and does not know who the father is. The state gives her food stamps, WIC, welfare and free health care. It does not matter how much the father of the child is making and they are enjoying living off the free food and income paid by you and me and the government cannot do anything about it because no one is talking. This is why there is so many out of wedlock babies among the poor.
On top of that....
On top of that, the scam is for any and all "assets" to be put in the name of grandma or other family member so the "destitute" can drive around in $40k cars, live on the cell phone, sit on their behinds and watch HDTV, etc, etc and claim to live in poverty. This scam is rampant but on paper it is not. On top of that, the fed gives these scallawags a bonus at tax time compliments of EIC. I know this first hand. Hey, I have a great idea, let's throw more tax money at the problem because I am sure that these leeches will somehow see the light and become responsible, at least that is what your idiot NOBAMA and his cadre of democraps wants to sell you. It is time to squash socialism NOW!!!
Yep. Offer a handout and
Yep. Offer a handout and someone is going to take it.