Bush & GOP to cut funding for AmeriCorps program that aids disaster relief...

Typical...

National Disservice
Why the administration thinks it can get away with plans to cut a relief program that helps thousands and changes young lives.

WEB-EXCLUSIVE COMMENTARY
By Jonathan Alter
Newsweek
Updated: 12:20 p.m. ET March 14, 2006

March 14, 2006 - It’s a form of hypocrisy that’s becoming emblematic of the Bush era. Four years ago, President Bush held a big photo-op to showcase after-school programs at a Delaware Boys and Girls Club—then cut funding for the very after-school programs he was touting. After pressure, funding was restored.

Will the same thing happen this time? Two years ago, Bush had his picture taken in Florida with idealistic young members of the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), a small, team-based AmeriCorps program that works on environmental and disaster relief projects. “I’m a strong believer in AmeriCorps,” he said. “I want to thank you for your service, thank you for your hard work and may God continue to bless you and your families as you pursue your dreams.” Now, those dreams are at risk of being deferred. In his fiscal year 2007 budget, the president is proposing not just to trim the NCCC, but to eliminate the $25 million program altogether.

Bowing to the Office of Management and Budget (which knows little about what happens on the ground), the Bush administration folks who run AmeriCorps are now loyally badmouthing the NCCC. But only a few weeks ago, they put out a press release that said, “Since the unprecedented series of storms hit last summer and fall, NCCC teams have assisted more than 900,000 people living in the disaster area. Among other accomplishments, NCCC teams have served 882,000 meals; collected or distributed 2,376 tons of food; removed 15 tons of debris; conducted more than 800 home assessments; supported more than 400 emergency response centers; and recruited or coordinated nearly 1,500 community volunteers.”

We all agree that money is tight and the federal budget contains fat. But why terminate a popular, uncontroversial, program that simultaneously helps Katrina evacuees and 1,000 18 to 24-year-olds trying to make a difference? The head of the Corporation for National and Community Service, David Eisner, claims that the NCCC did poorly in a performance review. But the review was inherently flawed because it had no way to quantify how much the program changes the lives and dreams of the young people who participate, not to mention the thousands of Americans they helped.

A more likely explanation for the attempted killing of the NCCC is that the program is the only part of AmeriCorps not protected by powerful members of Congress and local leaders. (Most of the rest of AmeriCorps is run at the state and local level, which gives these programs more widespread political support). Tax cuts for the super-rich weren’t touched in the president’s budget, because the super-rich have no trouble making their case in Washington. Same for seniors, veterans and a boatload of special interests. But young people hoping to serve their communities and their nation don’t usually hire lobbyists, so even an inexpensive program goes on the chopping block.

This week, the House Appropriations Committee is submitting its priorities for the 2007 budget. The Republican members, who have supported the NCCC for years, might pause over the program’s grave and recall all of the speeches they gave after 9/11 extolling the virtues of national service. “These are good kids from around the country who are dedicating time to help America,” President Bush said of the program he is now trying to end. Now it’s up to the rest of us to dedicate some time to trying to save it.

© 2006 MSNBC.com