2005.03.15
Once Upon a Time in America Part Four
Once upon a time in America our government looked at its people and noticed many of them were living in poverty. “How is it,” they asked themselves, “That so many of us live so wretchedly? What can we do about poverty?” Despite many programs like the establishment of a minimum wage, it was clear more needed doing.
The rhetoric was sincere and loud. A War on Poverty was declared in the 1960s in an attempt to fix this glaring spot on America’s record. Programs were initiated to get kids out of trouble with the law and involved in productive activities and education. The Civil Rights movement took off. Head Start, Job Corps, community health centers and more were born in the effort to fight this great social disease.
Yet, as President Reagan noted, “We fought the War on Poverty and Poverty won.” More accurately we fought, but not enough. In a country that produces most of the world’s wealth, how is it we have still homeless people on the streets? Who is strong enough to continue fighting the War and not give in to the cynicism that President Reagan exhibited?
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