Debt deal does little to fight severe poverty in America [View All]

Debt deal does little to fight severe poverty in America, say experts
Submitted by Dave Masko on 2011-08-01
http://www.huliq.com/10282/debt-deal-does-little-fight-severe-poverty-america-say-experts

“Sadly, more and more children are making their way into the ranks of the poor. Forced to surrender their life`s chances before they even know their life`s choices because the poor have no powerful lobby, no political clout, and no good cards in a deck stacked against them already. In America today, we don`t just have a poverty of jobs, we have a poverty of affirmation, a poverty of opportunity, a poverty of optimism and a poverty of hope,” stated Social commentator Tavis Smiley during the CBS “Sunday Morning” TV program July 24. More recently, on a hot July 31 in downtown Eugene, a 16-year-old named Darren exclaimed: “I don’t have any money. I don’t have a home.” The teen also noted that he’s been living rough with other teens on the streets of downtown Eugene this summer.

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What does it say about a country where so many are hungry and in need

Social commentator Tavis Smiley has asked in a recent commentary what does it say about a country where so many are hungry and in need. And, what does it say about America with more than 60 million in poverty at the height of the debate over deficit reduction. The answer, says Smiley, is “you almost never hear the word poverty or any serious talk about the poor in America.”

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“Every empire in history has either failed or faltered, but for some reason, be it our arrogance, our hubris or our nationalism disguised as patriotism, we turn a blind eye to the growing chasm between the have-gots and the have--nots. One percent of the population owning and controlling more wealth than ninety percent of Americans is both dangerous and unsustainable. At the heart of the problem is political cowardness. As the 2012 race for the White House heats up, it`s worth remembering that in 2008, not once during three presidential debates did either candidate even utter the word poverty and not much more has been said or done since then. Even as the indiscriminate net of poverty in snares even more Americans,” asserted Smiley during a July 24 CBC “Sunday Morning” commentary on the plight of the poor in America at a time when the country’s leaders are more focused on appeasing the rich and their fellow lawmakers than those who have nothing.

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"I choose to identify with the underprivileged, I choose to identify with the poor, I choose to give my life for those who have been left out of the sunlight of opportunity,” said Smiley while noting that when, in 1968, Robert Kennedy, then a candidate for President, embarked on a tour of some of the poorest and most forgotten places in America.

“The notion of a political figure, one so well-healed and well-known making a choice to reach out to the least among us was an inspiration for millions. In this upcoming election cycle, let`s hope that someone steps forward to speak on behalf of those most in need. They probably won`t unless we demand that they do,” he said.