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Image by Brookings Institution
On February 9, the Center for Effective Public Management at
Brookings hosted Senator Sanders, the ranking member of the Senate Budget
Committee, to discuss his economic policy ideas to spur growth and rebuild
America’s middle class. ©Paul Morigi Photography |
“America’s wealth grew by 60
percent in
the past six years, by over $30 trillion. In approximately the same time, the
number of homeless children has also grown by 60 percent”
More disturbing is that the United States achieved a
ranking of 26 out of 29 developed countries based on the material well-being of
its children. That’s according to the
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
In the United
States, and globally, we have a substantial disparity between rich and poor
that has produced huge increases in income inequality and poverty.
Many even believe
that poverty is desirable
to keep the system in balance.
Because of capitalism’s
essential nature, which is to serve the self-interest of capitalist, wealth in
the United States continues to grow while income inequality, poverty and the number
of homeless children increases. Accordingly, more and more of those who once considered
themselves middle-class
are now joining the ranks of the poor.
The dismal fact
is the
United States hates its poor.
It doesn’t speak highly of the richest country in
the world that brags about being a human rights leader, who criticizes other countries
for their human rights abuses, and lays claims to American exceptionalism.
Moreover, we are not only a country that deprives so
many of its citizens some hope of breaking free from the destitution but also the
violence that runs rampant in underprivileged communities. And, it seems the
political right will do anything in their power to retain certain levels of
poverty and gun violence..
The United States, prodded by its citizens, must
make a serious commitment to end poverty. But it requires all of us “to face
the fact that capitalism has always reproduced widespread poverty as the other
side of profits for a relative few.”
“Many small people in small places doing many small
things can change the world.” If we put our hearts and minds to the challenge,
we can bring about change and make our country what it historically has claimed
itself to be.
Copyright © 2015 Horatio Green
