1.   Although billions of dollars are spent each year on poverty programs, there is little measureable impact.

2.   A few months ago, the federal government appointed a Muslim to head its poverty program in Plateau state.

3.   A state that would raise taxes to pay for job placement and other poverty programs would risk repelling taxpayers and attracting poor residents from nearby states.

4.   But Brown soon soured on the federal poverty program.

5.   But some development experts say they fear those funds will reduce American contributions to other poverty programs, like those to fight AIDS and enroll children in schools.

6.   By contrast, the one poverty program paid entirely by Washington -- food stamps -- has remained whole.

7.   Currently, for example, when the economy in California is rocky, more money goes to Californians for welfare, food stamps and other poverty programs.

8.   Democrats then will attack the cuts, especially in poverty programs, as heartless and irresponsible.

9.   He worked variously as a public affairs director for WBAI-FM in New York, a correspondent in Central America and a ghostwriter for a poverty program.

10.   It is far too soon to tell how the notion of block grants for poverty programs will fare.