Comments for LBP: Extend tax credit for working poor at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 1 out of 1 comments http://www.theind.com Sun, 19 May 2013 00:36:48 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/11824-lbp-extend-tax-credit-for-working-poor#comment-27394 As much as I applaud and respect the effort of LBP, on this particular subject, they have literally missed the boat. Their own article indicates over half of the states do not offer an EITC, i.e,""of the 24 states offering earned income tax credits to enhance". Such would indicate 26 states do not offer an EITC, therefore bring into question the very premise for which the EITC is based as well as bringing into question it's ultimated contribution to the quality of life of any state. For any group to suggest that the state double, i.e, increase the EITC from $197 million to almost $400 million a year, is the height of fiscal irresponsibility and suggest the LBP is out of touch with the state's current fiscal position as well as the state's political climate. The one and only way any state-including this one-can decrease the state's level of poverty is by increasing the job opportunities offered the citizens of such state. The formula for decreasing poverty in Louisiana or any other state is not by "handing out" more government money that could otherwise be devoted to education, welfare, better roads, better job training; but, by bring jobs to the state that the populous can quality for/be trained for. Jobs that are not transient and will remain part of Louisiana's landscape for years to come. The "vogueness" of simply handing out money and expecting the poverty level in any given state to reduce or go away is and has always been a myth. Such programs only "useless" purpose is that of covering up the inefficiency, the lack of creativity and the lack of foresight on the part of the state's officials--both legislative as well as executive. Regards/GV4MAN - Greg Foreman Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:09:16 +0100