Bush Proposes More Aid for Disabled

[Guest guest]

I found it interesting that Governor W. Bush made an

announcement today about funding for programs for disabled Americans.

(See attached AP Story below.) I consider myself a Democrat, but I'm

wondering if Vice President Al Gore has proposed anything similar? I

seem to remember earlier postings on this list about the positions of

the presidential candidates on issues dear to us.

Dan Okenfuss

Washington, DC

Bush Proposes More Aid for Disabled

June 15, 2000

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - With the 10th anniversary of the Americans

with Disabilities Act approaching, W. Bush proposed spending

$880 million over five years for telecommuting, technology

development and job access to help the disabled.

The Republican presidential contender, speaking Thursday at a

company that specializes in helping the disabled, said: " People with

disabilities confront hardship every day of their lives. To me that

leaves our society with a simple choice: Whether to add to that

hardship or to try to lessen it. "

In particular, Bush's " New Freedom Initiative " would:

-Triple funds for research into independent living from $11

million annually to $33 million.

-Change the Section 8 rental housing program so the disabled can

use a year's worth of rental vouchers for a home down payment and

future mortgage payments.

-Create a $20 million annual matching fund for companies to buy

telecommuting equipment such as computers and modems for disabled

employees.

-Create a $5 million annual fund to provide technical assistance

for small businesses that face financial burdens in complying with

the disabilities act. The combined annual costs of all the proposals

was about $179 million.

The landmark disabilities legislation gave civil rights

protections to the disabled and mandated equal access to the

workplace

and most common public and recreational areas. It was signed on July

26, 1990, by President Bush, the Texas governor's father.

" I support the ADA, and I'm really proud that it was my father's

signature that made the law become real, " Bush told his audience at

Alpha One. In addition to nonprofit work, the organization runs a

storefront that sells wheelchairs and - highlighting the changing

attitudes of the disabled - an array of competitive sports gear for

the handicapped.

[Guest guest]

I have very little faith in republican promises for social reform or

aid. They talk a great game to get into office but rarely follow through

once in office unless there is a clear advantage for big business.

Let me site an example. Our Governor , Republican in California,

ran on a platform of pro education. Exactly the day after he was in

office he signed a bill drastically cutting school budgets statewide. At

the time I was a vendor for public schools and saw first hand the

problems they faced trying to make ends meet at the expense of the our

children's educations.

Because this does concern the topic of disabilities and because it is a

topic about which I feel strongly I answered. If you 'd like to hear

more mail me privately. I'd be more than happy to expound on the topic

in private. For a general idea about my feelings about the deliberate

ignorance of republican representatives check out my web site and look

at the link to Dan Quayle.

Marty

[Guest guest]

Sorry, forgot to leave my web page address. Typical scatter-brained

artist. http://home.earthlink.net/~martie/

Marty