Reader comments
Hunger woes 'persistent'; U.S. mayors see rising need for food, housing

Anonymous | 9:08 a.m. Dec. 18, 2007

Rather than focus on hunger and homelessness in America, I suggest we concentrate on lowering taxes for the very wealthy. This will give them ability to spend more on luxury goods and the rest of us can gain employment by making these for them. It will also give them incentive to start businesses. Trickle down is a much more efficient way to handle the problem of the poor rather than sending food to the poor directly or trying to lower taxes for the working poor.

Anonymous | 9:33 a.m. Dec. 18, 2007

Lack of affordable housing? Blame the liberals and environmental extremists. What do you think it does to the price of housing when we limit the production of the very materials from which houses are built in the name of "environmental protection"? Houses are made mostly of wood, and when we limit the harvesting of lumber (wood) in order to preserve the habitat of the wooly woodpecker, the price of wood and everything made from wood is going to go up.
Open space laws and compliance with ridiculously excessive envionmental regulations also make housing much more expensive than it needs to be. Blame the left. They have created the problem.

whatever | 9:38 a.m. Dec. 18, 2007

Ok Reagan, we already figured out that "trickle-down" doesn't work. These people need a river, not just a few drops.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 9:48 a.m. Dec. 18, 2007

A society that ignores its poor -

is a doomed society.

Thankful | 10:10 a.m. Dec. 18, 2007

Anonymous, sarcasm and higher taxes isn't going to help the unfortunate poor underclass. Increasing the taxes and depending on the government to solve the problem, would only make it worse. The more taxes collected by government the more inefficient it becomes and the problem only increase. Forcing people to care for their bothers and sisters only creates cynicism and disgust which for right or wrong gets directed at government and the poor. Sometimes hard decisions have to be made.

I have another solution, how about stopping the flow of foreign unskilled labor that is flooding into the country and depressing wages while also using the very resources that are in short supply. As mentioned in the article is "of more people finding themselves underemployed." Wages are determined by supply and demand along with the availability of good jobs. This newspaper has long supported this flood of foreign labor which is used by cheap labor employers to continue to depress wages. When wages are allowed to rise by cutting off illegal immigration and allowing supply and demand to operate, many of the problems of the working poor will solve themselves. Amnesty will only make things worse.

Anonymous | 11:00 a.m. Dec. 18, 2007

How many yachts can a person own? This is the season of giving? Ever notice, it's the people with three cars, two boats, a 8000 sq foot home and ski cabin that are mostly whining about money?

There is nothing wrong with acquiring wealth. There is something very wrong if a person fails to take a moment to be thankful for the blessings in their lives.

Christ had the choice to be surrounded by wealth. He healed the sick and comforted the poor.

real reason | 11:08 a.m. Dec. 18, 2007

Except for a very few people who face high medical bills, are severely handicapped and unable to work, or other out-of-their-control reasons, the real reason many people find themselves homeless is the bad choices they made. Most people are evicted from their homes or can't afford the rent is due to irresponsibility, drugs, drinking, and gambling. The free-living lifestle that creates unwanted children and bringing them into a life of poverty only adds to the problems faced by the poor. Poor people make poor choices. We can be compasionate, we can try to help, but can we really fix stupid people and the stupid choices they make?

choices | 11:43 a.m. Dec. 18, 2007

It's about choices. Nobody wants to eat rice and beans and other staples anymore. They spend their welfare monney and food stamp money and then they hear that other free food is available so they want to cash in on that too. If it's free, they'll come.

how true | 11:59 a.m. Dec. 18, 2007

"Real Reason" is absolutely correct. Couple the "Poor's" bad choices with their sense of entitlement and you have a shortage of free handouts. Gone are the days when people felt that they wouldn't claim something they hadn't earned, when people felt responsible to take care of their own families or do without.

Nowadays the liberal media has convinced the so called poor that they are entitled to a free handout from the rich American government, because the rich aren't taxed enough, and need to provide for them.

This is totally bogus since the "rich" pay at least 50 percent of their money in taxes and the "poor" get tax credits, free food, free housing, and free medical care. The lucky "rich" get to pay their own way plus everyone else. And the poor continue to make bad choices and expect to never suffer the consequences. "Sure I dropped out of high school and had three kids out of wedlock, but I'm entitled..."

There's got to be a better way of taking care of the truly needy and letting everyone else earn their way.

Anonymous | 12:22 p.m. Dec. 18, 2007

When a person trivializes the plight of the poor they are ensuring a lower standard of living for themselves in their next life.
It's a karma thing.
Feel sorrow for these people instead of becoming angry at them. (For they know not what they do)

Carl | 12:35 p.m. Dec. 18, 2007

How about we stop spending trillions abroad for lost causes, create jobs in the US and take care of our own as our very FIRST prioity?

What a Christmas present!

JR | 12:45 p.m. Dec. 18, 2007

Some situations are based on poorly educated, poor choices etc but when your jobs are outsourced and you have to work three jobs to make up for the one you have, something is wrong. Many families have become homeless not because of poor choice etc but because of corporate greed

the party is over | 2:27 p.m. Dec. 18, 2007

Realizing nothing is made in America anymore, the better jobs are going overseas, the value of the U.S. Dollar continues to plummet, housing starts are the lowest in 16 years, and General Motors is now building plants in China, and every graduating class is larger than the last, I would feel safe to say the party is over.
Better get used to the poor and the homeless. It might even be YOU someday. And don't ever worry about the mega-wealthy. They'll just sell one of their yachts.

Rocky | 4:53 p.m. Dec. 18, 2007

As I grew up, I heard all the stories from my dad about living through the Great Depression. Even though I was born in '68, I took it to heart that hard times can hit when least expected, and that it is up to you to prepare for it because nobody will be there to bail you out. It's about making responsible choices, saving money, keeping bills and frivolous spending under control, and living within your means. Even when I was making $700/month, I still managed to save a little money for an emergency fund. Who are all these poor, lost lambs with no self-discipline or financial responsibility that need my help so badly? Do people not remember Aesop's Fables, and other stories that promote hard work and thriftiness? I suppose in this age of easy credit, entitlements, and "it's not my fault" attitude, it isn't fashionable to save money, work hard, or be thrifty. Well, as ye sow, so shall ye reap.

Anonymous | 5:35 p.m. Dec. 18, 2007

Brace yourself Rocky.
Depression II will be worse than the Depression I
More people today.

Ironic | 6:24 p.m. Dec. 18, 2007

Isn't it ironic that this story is printed right along side of a story that reports how "well fed" our incarcerated criminals are kept. Something is wrong with this picture.
Feed the poor, the innocent, the hard working!

ALS | 9:19 p.m. Dec. 18, 2007

Real Reason
Congrats on hitting every single myth and steretype in one fell swoop. Impressive. Before you believe the rhetoric, look up some research on who the poor really are. It would surprise you.

how true
If these people are as stupid as you and your compatriot believe, do you think they're watching and reading the liberal media?

A little compassion goes a long way.

klb | 11:46 p.m. Dec. 18, 2007

Typical Reaganomics at play. this is what you would call meritocracy, it is the misconception that if you work hard success will follow. Unfortunately, the wealthiest are making over 30% more than they were in the 70's, based on the economy and inflation, while the working class is making -9% of the income that they were. This is a real concern as the wealthiest 10% own the greatest portion of the wealth, while the working class survives off what is left. Healthcare is unaffordable for the working class, and they are one tragedy away from bancruptcy, what is left of the bancruptcy protections since the wealthiest lobbied for stiffer rules that will penalize those with catastrophic healthcare. Mobility in the US is non existant and masked by credit, wives in the workforce, cheap products from China, and yes immigrant labor. Bancruptcies and mortgage defaults are at the highest ever. College is becoming increasingly out of reach for the working class, and is no guarantee of success. The good jobs that were here are leaving as corporate greed for the elite increases. You don't have to look to far to see what the future holds if we don't turn this around.

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