Washington is the Problem for Homelessness

The problems of the homeless in our area are multiplied a thousand-fold throughout this country. President Bush and Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, say they believe in the sanctity of life and say that they care about poor children. But they pass tax cuts for the wealthy and spend billions for the war and rebuilding of Iraq while cutting funds for people programs.This country is still run by men, many of whom speak of protecting the unborn, but after birth, those babies are often the sole responsibility of women. Why are the fathers not required to do their share? Children are completely at the mercy of the adults who are supposed to care for them. If you have limited funds, or are overwhelmed caring for the children you already have, getting pregnant again will not solve your problems. Every child is called a gift from God, but God also gave you a mind to make decisions about whether or not you need or can care for one more. I have nothing but admiration for the workers at the shelters and for the families who manage to pull themselves up and move on. We need a fairer playing field for the mothers and the children, and to expect that to come only from the local charitable organizations is unreasonable. Let's demand that Washington priorities change and increase support for the youngest and neediest of this nation - if not for humanitarian reasons, then because what we don't spend now we will have to spend many times over when undereducated, angry, abused children become uneducated, angry, abusive adults.

BETTIE J. REINA

Milmay

Letter Printed in the Atlantic City Press, July 24, 2005

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/columns/072405HOMELETTS.cfm