“The budget is not fair, Mr. Chair, if 69 percent of the cuts comes from programs for low-income children and families and we are giving extra tax cuts to the wealthiest among us…. If we can afford to give new tax extenders to wealthy corporations and people, we can afford to expand Head Start for every child and to make sure that every child is housed and is fed.”
That’s part of what I said when I had the opportunity to testify
at the House Budget Committee Hearing “A Progress Report on the War on
Poverty: Lessons from the Frontlines” on April 30. I shared my belief
that the budget proposal by House Budget Chair Paul Ryan recently passed
by the House of Representatives would turn progress in the war on
poverty backwards by cutting critical funding to safety net programs
that help millions of poor children and families while giving tax breaks
to the wealthiest and most powerful among us. The Ryan budget will
widen the already indefensible income and wealth inequality gaps.
According
to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities at least 69 percent of
the Ryan budget cuts to non-defense programs over the next decade would
come from programs that serve low-income children, families, and
individuals including Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (formerly food stamps), school lunches and other child nutrition
programs, Pell Grants, the Earned Income Tax Credit, the low-income
portion of the Child Tax Credit and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
that helps children with very serious disabilities. At the same time the
Ryan budget slashes programs for children and the poor, Citizens for
Tax Justice estimates it would give millionaires an average tax cut of
at least $200,000 by lowering the top personal income tax rate from 39.6
to 25 percent, repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax, and reducing the
corporate income tax rate from 35 to 25 percent, as well as other tax
breaks.
The Ryan budget is not the only
unjust decision Members of Congress have made. On April 29, the House
Ways and Means Committee approved without any offsets a
permanent extension of six corporate tax breaks that would drain the
treasury of $310 billion over 10 years. That same committee in the very
same meeting dropped a provision in the Preventing Sex Trafficking and
Improving Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care bill because of its
cost. This tiny, positive provision that would have ensured foster youth
had documents like Social Security cards, birth certificates and health
insurance cards to help them make it on their own when they aged out of
foster care would have added $12 million to the 10-year cost of the
bill—four thousandths of a percent of the cost to taxpayers of those huge non-offset corporate tax break extenders.
Some
of the same lawmakers who routinely support massive corporate tax
breaks are among those currently opposing proposals to invest $90
billion in early childhood programs over 10 years as too expensive and
refusing to pass an extension without an offset of long-term
unemployment benefits that would cost $10 billion. And on April 30, the
Senate voted against opening debate on a Democratic bill to raise the
minimum wage to $10.10 an hour that would move 900,000 people out of
poverty, cost the federal government not one cent and in fact could save
federal and state governments money by reducing the need for nutrition
and other safety net supports.
I don’t
know what religious texts Members of Congress read, but when I look at
the prophets and gospels and the teachings of every major faith I learn
that not caring for the poor, the sick, the lame and the orphan is
wrong. Acting as Robin Hood in reverse and taking from the poor
and needy to give to the wealthy and powerful is even worse. America’s
dream and promise of a level playing field has become a nightmare for
millions of poor children and families struggling to get a foothold in
our $17-trillion economy.
The way to end
poverty is not to cut the very programs that are making the difference
between a child eating and a child going hungry. Nothing in my decades
of work for poor children makes me believe that cutting vital lifelines
for millions of families who have fallen on hard times because of
economic downturn is the way to create well-paying jobs or help parents
have the time and resources to be able to nurture and support their
children. Nothing in my experience makes me believe that putting college
further out of reach for low-income students will help them compete for
well-paying jobs. Nothing in my experience makes me believe that the
current Ryan budget proposal will help create the economic opportunity
and support systems every American needs when hard times hit. And
nothing in my experience will ever make me believe that snatching food
and shelter and early childhood and education lifelines from children
and hard-working poor families to further enrich those who already have
far more than their fair share of government help is economically and
morally defensible. What kind of leaders believe we can afford massive tax breaks for the richest one percent but cannot afford to meet the survival needs of all our poor children?
We
don’t have poverty in our midst because we have done too much for
people. We have poverty because we have done too little and have not
been fair to all our people, especially our children. We should be
fixing the policies that have fueled inequality and given birth to an
economy that has stopped working for the majority of hard-working people
in our country. Congress and all of us should be striving to ensure
there is a job with a living wage for every working-age person in this
country, that every single child, regardless of his or her parents’
income or skin color or country of origin, has access to nurturing and
enriching early childhood programs and effective schools, that no
families have to choose between paying the electricity bill or buying
medicine for their sick child, or have to figure out how to make the
last $20 in food assistance stretch till the end of the month. It is
profoundly unjust and immoral to pretend to be trying to reduce poverty
for those struggling to survive -- including 16 million children -- and
cutting the very programs enabling them to survive in a hostile economy,
cutting the very programs that help ensure the next generation’s adults
won’t be scarred by a childhood of deprivation.
In
his last Sunday sermon at Washington’s National Cathedral, calling for a
Poor People’s Campaign, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. retold the parable
of the rich man Dives and the poor and sick man Lazarus who came every
day seeking crumbs from Dives’ table. Dives went to hell, Dr. King said,
not because he was rich but because he did not realize his wealth was
his opportunity to bridge the gulf separating him from his brother and
allowed Lazarus to become invisible. He warned this could happen in rich
America, “if we don’t use her vast resources to end poverty and make it
possible for all of God’s children to have the basic necessities of
life.” I hope we will heed Dr. King’s warning before it’s too late.
“Nothing in my experience makes me believe that putting college further out of reach for low-income students will help them compete for well-paying jobs. Nothing in my experience makes me believe that the current Ryan budget proposal will help create the economic opportunity and support systems every American needs when hard times hit.”
ReplyDeleteThe disparities of academic achievement and postsecondary education of students of color, especially those from low socioeconomic status, has a major impact of their economic, social, and cultural trajectory (Noguera, 2003). Black children living in poverty exposed to risk variables (i.e., single-parent household, low educational attainment of parents, drugs, and violence) receive inferior services from schools and agencies that are located in the inner city; leaving basic needs unmet. Education is considered an accessible means for achieving economic success, cultural, social, and political liberation in the United States, directly influencing the academic trajectory of Black students.
However, governmental budgetary proposals dictate accessibility to these means of advancement. Consequently; male students of color are not being prepared to matriculate into higher learning, they adopt negative beliefs and behaviors that result in them feeling alienated from the school community, failing to recognize the importance of their culture and simultaneously devaluing the significance of education, and contribute to the scholastic underachievement of students of color from impoverished communities. Personally, I am sick and tired of being victim to second class education and economic reform.
Eric I agree with you wholeheartedly. Our youth are treated unfairly because of their zip codes, how much their parents make and their grades. All of their issues are not their problem. A lot of them are hungry, carrying the stress of their parents and siblings and just simply trying to survive. They don't innerstand how these budget cuts are being chosen they just know how it affects them later when books are not being passed around in the classroom, when there is no food on the table, when they parents are arguing over money or when the tears are falling from their faces. America needs to get its priorities together before poverty starts affecting everyone, even the higher class...
DeleteThank you for sharing your views and experience. It is disappointing to see what we have done as a society to our black man. Education is important and we have to invest more now for a better future.
DeleteEric,
DeleteI would say that you hit the nail right on the head. The value and extent of education that is received by our children should NOT be based on their SES status nor the color of their skin. It's an embarrassment that our Country is thriving in a society that perceives this as the "norm". Urrgghhh!
The following quote really resonated with me:
ReplyDelete"We don’t have poverty in our midst because we have done too much for people. We have poverty because we have done too little and have not been fair to all our people, especially our children."
I am so glad that this has been brought to the light. So many representatives from the Republican party make claims that we give too much to citizens of low socio-economic status. While realizing that a small percentage of the population do take unfair advantage of the system, that is unavoidable. Instead of shedding light on those individuals we need to see the picture from all perspectives. How can this nation sleep at night when we make breaks for the wealthy but cut back on the poor? I love that the parable of the rich man was brought up in this article. I find it funny how the parties, specifically the Republican party can play the religion game only when there is an advantage for their party.
I definitely agree with the comment that Eric made. Not helping those in poverty does affect us in many ways in the future. This can consequently make things worse for our nation. These students perform lower than there counterparts and have a higher chance of having a grim future. We must place children as a priority. The problem is that we do not speak up enough. As teachers, educators and young people who work with children we must continue to do small things to ensure that these budget cuts do not come without a fight from us. Many educators in my school district have encouraged us to write letters and emails to our representatives to tell them about different policies and cuts that we do not agree with.
Myah, I definitely agree with you and Eric's argument about this issue. The future belongs to the children of today who will lead tomorrow. Without provisions for children living in poverty to succeed, our future as a nation is not guaranteed. It's sad to me that in the political arena, it's hard for policymakers to put those pieces together in favor of instant gratification by appeasing the interests of the wealthy.
DeleteI always think about the "American dream" and how that concept is just that--a concept. Without equity for all people, especially our brothers and sisters who need the most help this concept cannot transition into a real goal for all people. But would we even want to aspire to it? The way it is portrayed now is flawed simply because it neglects certain groups.
As a nation, we need to allocated large parts of our budget to help out lower socio-economic classes instead of the rich. I agree that we can speak out and write to our representatives about their policies. Our voices should always be heard.
There's no better way to repeat what everyone else has already said. While reading this article, I was constantly shaking my head in disdain at what was happening with those we elected in office to run our country. What sense does it make to take from the poor and give to the rich. As someone who's family relies heavily on this program, I think it would be detrimental to our nation to continue with this trend. Hopefully members of congress will see the light soon and make some changes.
DeleteI too could not do anything but shake my head! It really baffles me the mindsets that people have. Myah makes a good point, we really have to keep fighting this and getting our word out. My professors are constantly pushing us to write letters and I lot of my classmates have the mindset that our letters will get overlooked. We can't think that way! If there is something that we don't agree with it is important that we let it be known.
DeleteIt's difficult for me to understand how Ms. Edelman can enter these forums and hearings and share the statistics, the stories, and the personal accounts of this type of budget disparity and national issues and it just goes over the heads of our Nation's political leaders. When it is a known fact that raising minimum wage to "$10.10 an hour would move 900,000 people out of poverty, cost the federal government not one cent and in fact could save federal and state governments money by reducing the need for nutrition and other safety net supports". How could they ever be so negligent as to vote against a change like that?
DeleteThomas I agree with you about everything you have said. Mrs. Edelman enters countless information to our government officials about the state of our nation and its poverty. Neffie it does not make any sense for people to take from the poor to give to the rich. I definitely understand the need to push and fight for these things to get changed and better the poverty in America.
DeleteI completely agree with what all of you have said before me. The problem with a lot of policies and budgets that are put into place is that the people making them, are never the ones who will be negatively affected by them. Unfortunately, no matter the statistics presented to people sitting in these forums, it is likely that they will never fully understand the disparities until they experience themselves or closely work with those experiencing these disparities. Whether policy makers believe it or not, refusing to help those within the low socioeconomic class affects them as well because it deteriorates our economy. I remember during the 2012 presidential election, more than one republican politician stated that budgets for financial aid could be lessened and potential college students can simply ask their parents to loan them the money. I found this statement quite ignorant considering if they had the money to begin with, I'm sure they would not attempt to collect financial aid. This just supports the idea that people who have the power to make changes are completely unaware of the changes that need to be made and there is a large disconnect, which is sad.
DeleteI always struggle to understand exactly what it is that prevents lawmakers from organizing our budget in a way that benefits children and families. Years ago, I naively thought that it was due to ignorance - people just didn't understand the long-term repercussions of ignoring the needs of children. Yet, this has been proven time and time again by countless economists. As all of you have mentioned, our neglect of children now has lasting negative impacts in the future - we pay for prison costs and the lost productivity of all the children we failed to educate and care for. However, even when this is PROVEN - calculated in dollars and cents - we STILL cut services for families and children. It's not ignorance, it's sheer disregard.
DeleteAs I've come to work with Freedom Schools I have begun to understand the repercussions of poverty and "ignoring the needs of children." I've always known that poverty did not lead to positive outcomes, but now I further understand the effects. Jenny mentioned that she thought it was due to ignorance, which is completely understandable because how could someone not care about children's future. Children's future is ultimately the future of our country.
Delete"We should be fixing the policies that have fueled inequality and given birth to an economy that has stopped working for the majority of hard-working people in our country."
The question then becomes, how do I help to fix these disparities? It seems like a daunting task that will take work beyond what I often times feel I understand.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that Marian Wright Edelman had a chance and took the opportunity to speak out on this devastating issue. It really does not make any sense at all to cut back on programs that will make a positive difference in a child's education as well as living conditions and in turn, give those tax dollars to the rich. We are operating in a backwards society and the government will continue to do what we allow them to do.
"He warned this could happen in rich America, 'if we don’t use her vast resources to end poverty and make it possible for all of God’s children to have the basic necessities of life.”'I hope we will heed Dr. King’s warning before it’s too late." This statement really hit home with me. We have been warned by one of our greatest activist. Martin Luther King Jr. was an incredible, heroic leader and because he had spoke upon such devastation in the future of America and it's indeed happening, we must do whatever we can to end it at once.
In working for the Children's Defense Fund, we have a great leader and role model who is no other than Marian Wight Edelman. Just as Myah mentioned about her school district promoting teachers to write letters to their representatives, as trainers, we can also get involved by writing letters to congress to express our viewpoint. We are a powerful group of individuals and working together as a unit has proven to be a drastic force.
CUTS CUTS CUTS!! Be careful what you CUT!! Everyone is affected by the cuts to education. Until our elected politicians get serious about our children we will continue to have a failing school system. It seems clear as day on what should happen. However, we greed, classism and racism is involved things become real cloudy! I was once told that if we actually had to go to war we would not be fully equipped because there are not enough qualified individuals. And that was across the entire human race, not just people of color. So, 'merica, be careful what you CUT because China coming for us!
ReplyDeleteBefore careful what you cut is correct. I agree with you Evetty.
DeletePRECISELY EVETTY! I have always questioned the government's concern for the well being of our children's educational success. Are the people involved in politics really advocates for children or advocates for their own personal finances? Actions speak louder than words and these CUTS are screaming the opposite of fairness.
DeleteWhenever I read columns like this, I'm always in agreement, but I feel challenged with the task of figuring out how do we get the opponents to see, acknowledge and gain our point of view?
ReplyDeleteThere are so many instances and statistics that support the need for assistance programs, but the success stories of people who grew up in impoverished homes overshadow all of the data and gives wind to those who say that the American Dream can be achieved by anyone because of those in the spotlight.
Agreed. Although these success stories are great to hear, I hate the fact that they are overshadowing the majority. The American Dream is the anomaly here. Good news is dominated by the bad news, so when we hear of something good, we tend to "ride that wave." However, in situations like this, it doesn't give us a chance to examine the true facts of the matter.
DeleteClaricha, I often feel the way you do about these types of situations. It’s difficult to shift the viewpoints of those making the cuts because they can’t find a personal benefit for supporting such programs. Soon, I may be in a similar position as Mrs. Edelman. Hopefully, I’ll be able to participate in a bus trip to our state’s capitol in the rally on behalf of the funding our school district. There have indeed been some unfair budget decisions and the community is pulling together to make know what’s happening to our children. Myah, also mentioned a great quote: "We don’t have poverty in our midst because we have done too much for people. We have poverty because we have done too little and have not been fair to all our people, especially our children." This is nothing but truth; the challenge is absolutely conveying that to those who are being unfair.
DeleteYAS CLARICHA! My sentiments exactly! How do we get the other side to our point? How do we keep the "success stories" from over shadowing the everyday disenfranchised person? This again, makes me think about the quote I posted on another column. "We waged war on poverty, not poor people." What ever happened to that?
DeleteAfter reading this column it opened my eyes up to what's about to happen in the next few years if we as the people don't take a stand and speak out against this detrimental issue. I absolutely agree with Neffiee! what sense does it make to take away from the poor and give to the wealthiest people. Cutting critical needed funding from the low-income communities and families is now way to treat a human being. It is defiantly not their fault that they are not privileged enough to be apart of the wealthiest people. The majority of low-income people wake up each and every day to go to work to just barely make ends meet, feed their families, and just try stay above water. Low-income communities open up safe havens for our youth to allow them to feel safe, grow as an individual, and provide them with educational opportunities to one day make it up the ladder which is already BROKEN. Also cutting funding from low-income families and communities will more than likely increase violence, students dropping out of school, stealing, funerals due to health issues, people/families becoming homeless, people losing their job etc. We can not allow government officials to take our FUTURE away and with that being said once again WE as the PEOPLE need to do everything in our power and will to not let this critical issues take us beneath living grounds.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Edelman says it best, "It is profoundly unjust and immoral to pretend to be trying to reduce poverty for those struggling to survive -- including 16 million children -- and cutting the very programs enabling them to survive in a hostile economy, cutting the very programs that help ensure the next generation’s adults won’t be scarred by a childhood of deprivation."
ReplyDeleteWe are PRETENDING. Its easy to pretend what is there when it is not. We can no longer pretend like poverty is not in front of us, on our sides, and behind us. Its not that we are not doing anything, its more so that we are not doing enough. Its is alarming we continue to cut social programs as if it will not have drastic consequences.
This article allowed me to reflect on my service. Am I doing enough?
Joy and Janol I concur with you both and I too ask myself the same question when the truth is I know the answer: "I'm not". So how do I go about doing more? Well I don't know. I haven't quite figured that part out yet, but maybe we can get together and figure out how we can do more and get it done!
DeleteJanol you said you felt the issue does not affect the higher class and that is why it has not become a major issue. You totally beat me to that point. I absolutely feel the same way. Sadly that is the folly of human nature, to only be concerned with self gain and satisfaction.
The issue of poverty/budget cuts to me is the main reason why I feel the Nation’s educational system is failing our children. The cuts to educational funding prevent our children from having the resources necessary to succeed. The gap between the rich and poor is constantly growing and we are seeing middle class families disappear. Parents who work every day are STILL struggling to provide the basic needs to their children. I too agree our legislators need to rethink budget cuts to the poor and tax breaks to the rich. Think about the majority who are poor and don’t have the basic needs. I wish they could spend a month on food stamps to see how the majority of American are living in this land of “opportunities”.
ReplyDeleteI agree Leslie. The budget cuts from already lacking budget is definitely affecting our children negatively. It is taking away from their growth and development, and whether Congress realizes it or not they are destroying a country by not investing in the next generation.
DeleteTo respond to this column I first want to clarify my definition of fair (a lesson I have had to teach to all of my level ones). To me fair does not mean everyone getting the SAME thing, it means everyone getting what they need to succeed. Therefore some will receive more than others, but each person will receive what they need. I thought about this as I considered the ethics of charging wealthy individuals a higher percentage of their income for taxes and I decided that each person should give what they can, and these people can simply give more.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is an abomination to be cutting programs for the poor and particularly for poor children. Decisions like this make me wonder if our government has given up on the war on poverty, because they certainly are not making progress on it. I very much believe in the “be careful what you cut” campaign. Cutting children and poor citizens from our budget now will cost us more in prisons later. We are closing future doors for young children by eliminating early education opportunities and taking away their food and shelter security now. I hope that our government wakes up and decides to fight the good fight, it will be much easier to create positive change if they are on board.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure there ever truly was a war on poverty. The prison industry is a huge money making enterprise. Prisons receive money for the number of "residents" they house. It pays to lock people up. If you think about it, by making all of these cuts the government is killing two birds with one stone so to speak. We need more people in the jails to make more money and we have a growing population of minorities. It does not seem coincidental to me that our prisons are mostly filled with minorities. Education, in my opinion is the key, but the question is how do we get quality education to these communities?
Delete“And nothing in my experience will ever make me believe that snatching food and shelter and early childhood and education lifelines from children and hard-working poor families to further enrich those who already have far more than their fair share of government help is economically and morally defensible. What kind of leaders believe we can afford massive tax breaks for the richest one percent but cannot afford to meet the survival needs of all our poor children?” I don’t know if I will ever understand the thoughts or lack of thoughts behind some decisions made in Washington. It doesn’t logically make sense that starving children or neglecting to educate them will boost the economy. In research by the World Literacy Foundation I came across a few facts:“Functional illiteracy means a person may be able to read and write simple words, but cannot apply these skills to tasks such as reading a medicine label, balancing a checkbook, or filling out a job application ii. Shockingly, more than 796 million people in the world cannot read and write iii. About 67 million children do not have access to primary school education and another 72 million miss out on secondary school education v.” The research also stated that illiteracy costs the global economy $1 trillion USD annually.
ReplyDeleteIt is more costly to cut the programs that sustain the livelihood of the poor and poverty stricken citizens of America. The misguided decisions made in Washington lead me to believe that there is a strong lack of foresight on the part of our elected officials.
DeleteI agree with Neffiee, it really makes ZERO sense for people to give to the rich from the poor. Some kind of change needs to take place for help out poverty stricken families in America. Thomas, you also made great points and I agree with you. I also agree with Tiffany F. when you said the future belongs to the children. We need to make sure our children are ready to lead this Nation, because it will be up to them.
ReplyDeleteI could not say it better, myself! I do not understand the concept of giving to the rich from the poor. Our country has been thriving off of the hard work of the poor since the beginning of its times. It just baffles me that this philosophy is still believed in after it has been recognized as WRONG!
DeleteThe war on tax cuts is overwhelming. Its no lie that the rich are getting richer and poor are getting poorer. Day to day it seems like there isn't much we can do to change any of the tax cuts taking place. Our elected officials make all the decisions and we are stuck with the decisions. We are bringing our children into a society that has no middle class and either you're rich or poor there is no in between. Some great points have been made above and I definitely believe it needs to be collective advancement towards making a fair tax system for all.
ReplyDeleteKing's use of rich man Dives really resonate with me because of its emphasis on the invisibility of the poor to the the wealthy. It is a sad state of affairs that when it comes to the needs of lower classes, decisions are made as if they are two dimensional. There are unfair characterizations of what it means to be poor and working class in America which demonize many who work just as hard, if not harder than the wealthy. The unfair distribution of wealth shows the supreme flaw that King talked about that will ultimately lead to the demise of America. I believe that we are still in need of a poor people's campaign to push for a new and more equitable system that would allow for more resources to go where they are needed most, in the communities of average people.
ReplyDeleteLast week I was having a conversation with a co-worker about the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. It's amazing that we, as a Country, has allowed those living on or far below the poverty line to become invisible to society without any doing more to eliminate it. I think you all have made great points and have shared my thoughts exactly. Though these columns are highly informative, it frustrates me to see what is taking place.
ReplyDeleteOne cannot help but wonder why our system works the way it is. The motivational song comes to mind, "I know that I can make it, though you are doing me wrong, so wrong." Although politically the economical gap between social classes is full of disparity, it really does not have to be. The question I ask myself is, what must we do to break the twisted chains of this seemingly perpetual system? The Occupy Movement died down, but it was a good start because it made people aware of the dangers of the 1% of people who hold the majority of our nation's wealth. By realizing that there are 99% of us who are being oppressed in some way shape or form by 1% of the American population, we realize our strength. They do not want us to be strong, which is why they try to cripple us financially. Thank God we have our souls, our courage, and our dignity to keep on fighting.
ReplyDeleteEconomic disparity is increasingly a national and global problem. When you consider the historical divide between our nation's richest and our nation's poorest, when you consider the world's wealthiest nations in contrast with the world's poorest nations, when you consider the elimination of a "middle-class" economy, there emerges one sure bet: that the rich routinely dominate the roles of government and always prioritize their interests. Consequently, this ideology is reflected in the laws and foreign policy that we find on the books today. Personally, I challenge myself everyday in my interactions, to look beyond finances and wealth, to treat each human being that I come in contact with using the same amount of love and care as I would any other. Our society can benefit from belief systems that honor and support our common humanity.
ReplyDeleteThis is ridiculous! What sense does itmake to cut programs funding geared towards serving low income and poverty striken families? This is supposed to be such a great nation, taht reaches out to help the less fortunate around the worls, but turns its back on the needy among us. THe saddest thing is that this foolish idea is nothing new. I began working with CDF Freedom SChools in 2009. That was the year that nearly 50 of 150 site nationally, were located in Louisiana. These sites were mostly funded rthrough grant money to help with recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina. This was a great year and many great strides for improvement were made. But after about 2 years, our govenor cut the funding for Freedom Schools and several other programs that had been making positive impacts in our communities. This being said, the idea of taking from the needy and giving to the wealthy is anything new, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I'm baffled by our elected officials. I wonder what about what they are trying to achieve. Is it liberty and justice for all? Do they really care about all of their constituents, or just the ones that can make them a ton of money. They make an insane amount of money but still are able to be bribed for more. It's really time that the citizens take a stand. We can't just keep standing on the sidelines waiting for them to get their act together.
ReplyDeleteYes our elected official. "Elected” officials those that are carefully selected to represent the masses. It's sad but true, politician make don’t make decisions with the end in mind but, for instant gratification and instant satisfaction of those who supported them while running for these positions. The people who support these politicians during their campaign are not us lower middle class people; it’s those above the glass ceiling. So, they make the advertisement targeting our audience but, their intention is not to serve us but, to serve those who afforded them the opportunity to ever be considered for a seat. My aunt is was a campaign manager her in Philly and she always told me that you vote for people base on where they get their funding from-that lets you know right away their agenda.
DeleteSo yes, you are right we need to take a stand and make these politicians uncomfortable. But, in order to do that we as a country have to show a unified front at least for our children. Everyone is not as tired and fed up with what’s going on as we are. Most of our people don’t understand what and how this will hurt our society. That’s why it’s important to create opportunities (parent meetings) where we can educate people on what’s taking place in the house that is hurting us in our local communities.
It’s amazing to look and just see how the team has such a valid stance on this issue. It is sickening to think that people refuse to see the country for what it is in its entirety. It is as if only the top matters and we must work to keep the top there when in fact like Lindsay said, it is our children that are our future and them who we should be working to build up. I agree with Taylor, we can’t sit back and just wait for others to change or adopt the mindset that our voices wont be heard. We too have to take stands on these issues. Furthermore, Thomas made a great point. Why is it so hard to make a change that we KNOW is going to benefit more people than it negatively affects? Excuse my scattered brain on this post but my mind is going everywhere. It makes nooooooo sense to take away the resources used to help our people with the thought that it will make them do better. How dare you say got to college and make the world a better place but first I’m going to make college harder for you get too. Hmmph!! The reality I am seeing is that when the people making these _______ decisions look into where their money should go and to what benefit, they only look at NUMBERS and in those numbers how they will benefit themselves. They cannot see the people like we do. They do not always understand the need! Until they are faced with the issue in some capacity their understanding will never be improved.
ReplyDelete"No families have to choose between paying the electricity bill or buying medicine for their sick child, or have to figure out how to make the last $20 in food assistance stretch till the end of the month" I agree that families should not have to choose but sadly this has been going on for a very long time due to this unjust economy. Poverty is increasing rapidly and instead of helping individuals and families get back on their feet, more is being taken away from them. As a teacher, I wholeheartedly believe every child should be given a fair chance in life. In my years of working with low-income families, I realize poverty does have a great effect on the children and usual plays a big role in their future. Taking away from people who have nothing is evil and I strongly hope change take place now for the sake of our future generations.
ReplyDeleteReading articles like this really angers me. As a nation, our priorities around how we spend our money truly need to be reevaluated at a federal level. Ultimately, how money is dispersed in the country comes down to what we think is important- what takes priority over the other. On a local level, as those who are directly affected by program cuts or reduced federal assistance, we feel each blow the government lashes out. However for those who are not affected by these cuts, or who do not depend on programs such as the one mentioned in this article, making such drastic cuts are micro compared to macro issues such as war and weapon production. If we are ever going to close this gap, we must all be morally aligned; from the poorest to wealthiest, we must value and demand equality for every American, not just the privileged.
ReplyDeleteA lot of times I find my particular area to be the first on the chopping block. Arts. When funds are down, the arts are first to go most of the time. Honestly, the arts provide students with the opportunity to explore different talents and careers other than the typical, doctor, lawyer etc.etc. Students in music in particular tend to perform better on tests and use more of the of the right side of the brain. Low achieving students in core subjects are extended the opportunity to excel in the arts. This helps with building self esteem in children as well. i agree. Be careful what you cut. The average middle school will say "I hate school" and become uninterested. Schools need sports, and fine arts just as much as math, reading and science. To get kids to come to school, they have to like at least one thing at school.
ReplyDeleteFirst off this guy Ryan is an absolute clown for this budget. Like seriously the message I get from the budget is let the poor stay poor and suffer and let the rich get richer. America isn't a country it's a business. Honestly it sickens me that people have no regards for all people of mankind. The idea to cut these programs will only make crime go up and how can u blame em. People of poverty just want a chance to eat and live a decent life. Not a dormant, unfair, and unhealthy start. It's wrong however you look at it. Get Ryan out of the House QUICK!!!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. The reason why people do this is because poverty is not directly affecting them. When people start to realize that crime and poverty is affecting them, they will make better choices/laws/policies, etc. that will benefit those disenfranchised. Angela Glover, President of Policy Link, stated that "When you solve the problems of people who are most vulnerable, you solve them for everyone."
DeleteWhen I was pregnant with my first child at the age of 19, I was forced off of my parents’ medical insurance policy. I had to enroll in public assistance and received WIC as well as a LINK card. I dropped out of college for a year to adjust to motherhood and when I re-enrolled I was shocked to discover that since I was a young unwed mother that I was able to attend school for free. Without that assistance, I don’t know how I would have been able to take care of myself or my child. I know for a fact that I would not have graduated or become the educator I am today. With all of these cuts I can’t help, but think that all this is calculated and malicious. In some ways it is slavery by another name. When you strip a people from access to health and education, you enslave them in ignorance. I have committed myself to teach in urban communities because I refuse to sit idly as our children are denied access to the same opportunities other children receive so easily.
ReplyDeleteFrom an emotional standpoint, I simply do not believe that those on top have any interest whatsoever in saving those on the bottom. I think that they sincerely believe that being poor is the fault of the poor, even if they were born poor. And they are probably using the spare examples of those who have "risen above poverty" as champions for their reasoning, instead of noting that these individuals are usually exceptional or have had someone on top open some doors of opportunity for them. Many people on top simply do not know what it really means to be poor and thusly have no compassion for saving them. They see greedy system-abusing leeches, who really are a minority of the people receiving benefits. Most people want to work. They want to raise healthy and safe and well-fed children. A government without compassion for its poor and middle class may so find itself at war with those very people. Lest we forget the French Revolution.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Evan because I don't understand the idea of giving to the rich from the poor as well. And the idea of pushing college further out of reach really stuck with me in this article because College is already difficult enough financially and the idea of government wanting to make it harder just really strikes a nerve with me. People will not feel like they can get the better jobs of the world if they can't even afford to go to college to do so, and from a person that's so close to graduating, I hate to hear that because that makes it that much harder for people like my nephew who just graduated high school to really want to strive to get one of the better jobs through college.
ReplyDeleteAnd here we go with budget cuts and we don't have enough money for this and who has enough money for that and who's using up all the food stamps. I mean really are we still really asking these questions. So you mean tell me after you have polluted our streets, forced us to live in the worst neighborhoods containing this modern-day racism and now you coming to budget cuts. I mean just when you pretty much stepped over your opponent you going to spit on him to.
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