Homelessness, Hunger, Poverty, Give us Hope, Please

How many of you have seen homelessness, hunger and poverty first hand? How many do you know who are facing or have faced any or all? A few years ago it was widely known that most Americans were one paycheck away from being homeless. Today, it is becoming almost commonplace. The America I see is very dark, cold and lonely.

No, I am not homeless, but I could be if the tables continue to tip. I do not hunger, and am managing to live above the poverty level. How many people do you see on the streets? How many do you see lining up at a food pantry? How many do you know who are struggling to make ends meet? How much are you doing without in order to keep up with inflation of the necessities of life? How much longer can this go on?

If you are fortunate enough to not see it first hand, consider yourselves lucky. It isn't pretty. If you can't comprehend how bad things are, just put some faces behind the statistics. People, there are families being evicted every day from their homes. Most have no where to go. They move into such substandard housing it would make you sicker than you have ever been if you saw it first hand. Or, they live on the streets. Have you ever dug through a dumpster for food? Do you know how it feels to know your child is eating someones table scraps that have been dug out of the trash? Do you know how hard it is for someone to live on minimum wage or less?

What would you do if the rug was pulled out from under you? Put yourselves in their shoes for a moment. I spoke to a man last year that had a Masters Degree but was homeless. He said his parents are wealthy, but he couldn't stay off drugs and alcohol and ended up on the street. He explained that he finally got off the drugs but can't kick his alcoholism. He told me if you want to know what it is like on the streets, "Imagine how hard it would be then double it by twenty." A female approached him and asked him for a cigarette. He stood up then started walking with her, turned around and told me, "I am lucky today, I am trading a cigarette for sex." As he walked off, I shook my head and wondered just how many people thought they would never end up on the streets but did. I cannot imagine doubling by twenty.

I wonder just how bad it is going to get here in the good ole USA if we don't have change. What economic plan can possibly tackle this problem? Do so many people turn a blind eye to this because it hurts to bad to see it? What types of plans do you think your candidate should develop that would really address these problems? What types of plans do they really have to overcome homelessness, poverty and hunger?






Please keep the discussion civil. I really want honest input here regarding this issue. I want to know exactly what you believe regarding it. For we all, regardless of which candidate we favor should want to do everything we can to help those less fortunate.

either are indicative of:

1. The issue is too overwhelming?
2. People really don't care what happens to others?
3. People would rather spend time arguing about the candidates than the issues?
4. GDP is not the place to discuss real issues?
5. People would rather ignore the problem because it is too complex?


(maybe that is why Edwards didn't do well?)