Advocates offer ways to make a real difference in alleviating poverty

Too Lazy to post the source ^ | Or the date | Or the author

[Phillyred]

THE RISE in poverty and its attendant problems is all the worse because of the shredding of the social safety net, but Philadelphia has a powerful safety net. Ours is a net woven by stalwarts: People who have been in the city for decades working to help people get food, shelter, legal representation and more. Some of the familiar names: Jonathan Stein, Sharon Easterling, Irv Ackelsberg, Alba Martinez, Steve Honeyman, Sandra Dungee Glenn, Carol Tracy, Richard Weishaupt, Steve Gold, Janet Stotland, Lance Haver, Michael DiBerardinis. We asked a few well-known advocates on the front lines to help close out our poverty series by asking: If there is one thing that could make a real difference in alleviating poverty, what would it be?

Sister Mary Scullion Founder, Project HOME

I would say to provide a meaningful opportunity for everyone to participate in a significant way in our community through work, education, health care and housing. I don't think you can legislate it, but legislation of key policy areas can make a huge difference. For example, (President) Reagan turned back the housing policies that ensured every American could afford a place to live. After World War II, there was legislation that ensured everyone could afford housing, even it was a room at the Y.....

[Phillyred]

So much nonsense to counter, so little time or energy. They act as if these ideas were never tried or ever worked! Never a new idea from these people. Funny how the nuns are never political - e.g., calling out Obama- when it comes to conservative values like abortion, but when it comes to "social justice" they never fail to throw out rehashed tripe about Reagan.

[cherry]

the govt spends more money and effort on people that will never get off welfare or food stamps and they never intend to....you see, being lazy is easy...stay up late, sleep in and then stumble out to get a Starbucks...visit with your homies...steal a little...what’s not to love?.

[defconw]

Don’t get me started on the neo-nazi socialist nuns!

[Phillyred]

And the one nun who stood up -at that Catholic school recently- got reprimanded by Catholic school parents and faculty!

[defconw]

I know. It’s hard to go to Mass anymore. The Church is as screwed up as this country. Ugh!

[Phillyred]

I was floored last Sunday (Mother’s Day) when a priest actually got up there and did a homily on abortion. Almost unheard of. He contrasted the story of that woman who filmed her abortion and posted it to Youtube with a story about an abandoned baby left under a car and how so many went out of their way to save him. He talked about words having meaning...i.e., the word “fetus” means “little one”. I do wish he called out this president in the process, but no.

[defconw]

Well it's a start. I think, at least I hope that the younger guys that are being called to the priesthood are more Conservative. Problem is once they go off to seminary, just never know. I feel betrayed as a Parishioner for paying for these guys to be educated and then some of them come back as lefties. But the Nun's well actually it's the Sisters that do most of the damage. Nuns are cloistered. If we want to be correct in terms. I have a hard time throwing the money in the plate.

[Albion Wilde]

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