Forgotten word in politics: 'poverty'

[struggle4progress]

She was working the drive-through window at 4 in the afternoon. But, whenever there was a lull between orders, the young woman returned to a table in the corner of the local Burger King.

Three kids were sitting there, with schoolbooks, papers and pencils all spread out, doing their homework. And Mom was helping as best she could while keeping straight the orders for Whoppers, fries and chicken nuggets.

Given her low wages, this single mother was no doubt balancing more than fast food and homework; she was also deciding among paying the rent, going to the doctor and getting prescriptions when somebody gets sick - or worrying about winter boots for her kids. I call her Burger King Mom.

Soccer moms and NASCAR dads have received much attention in recent election campaigns. But who will speak to or for Burger King Mom? She may live in a red or blue state, but neither party is much interested in her or her family's issues.
<snip>
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpwal143849450jun14,0,5083024.story?coll=ny-viewpoints-headlines

[NMDemDist2]

1. sad but true, and many of us are so close to the same

place. one paycheck or illness away

[chimpymustgo]

2. John Edwards talks about poverty in every speech.

He always says, I know it's not something popular to talk about, but we have to. This is a big part of his "Two Americas" theme.

[lanparty]

3. That's class warfare!!!!

And the Class Warfare is dead, didn't you know????

[struggle4progress]

4. Class warfare is not dead. However,

only the rich are allowed to admit it exists, and then only from the comfort of their country clubs or board rooms.

Everyone else is supposed to pretend that there is no such thing.

[lanparty]

5. I agree

I was being sarcastic.

The wealthy have waged a systematic war on the middle class since Truman left office. There is a REASON that two jobs no longer properly supports a family. The heady days of the fifties where one wage would support a family are LONG GONE!!!!!

Isn't it ironic that conservatives point to the fifties as the "ideal society", yet they despise the unions and strong social protections that PROVIDED that prosperity!!!!!

[ashling]

6. Which of us

Which of us will be the next to travel down desperation road
-Michael Martin Murphy


. . . the grapes of wrath still make bitter wine.