Sorry to vent but we have all got to do something about the poverty in the world. Amidst this global crisis the ones suffering the most are the extremely poor. I just returned from 6 months of volunteer work in Nicaragua and it is just insane that so m…

I’d heard many stories from my mother–her family almost starved during that time; they were very poor. When I realized the government, under a Democratic president, had destroyed all that food, I was astounded.

Then when you concluded your speech with the comments about character, I realized that is something every one of us should aspire to. World history is abundant with stories of civilizations that rose and fell, that dealt with others compassionately and incompassionately, and no race, religion or creed is exempt from good or bad. But I believe America, with all our flaws as well as our good qualities, is unique in the history of the world. I believe as a people, we must raise our voices loud enough so that our bloated government will hear us. I hope our politicians will hear your message and take it to heart.

And I hope our government gets smart and cuts non-vital areas. I’ve never understood why the federal government injected itself into the arts, for example. And we all know the lack of benefits the Dept. of Education has returned for all our money.

I re-read the booklet your speech was based on today–again, thank you. That booklet should be required readng for every school child in the nation.

By the way, my mother pulled herself up and valued an education. She instilled in us values of hard work, faith, and learning. I plan to share your booklet with her because I know she will enjoy it. She’s elderly, but she still has a very sharp intellect.

best, Kay B. Day

I heard you today on the Coral Ridge hour and I must say your comments were typical of the \\"haves\\" and the \\"boot string pullers.\\" I am a Christian, 40 year old, African American, college educated woman who works hard to follow Christ\\\’s teaching. Even after my divorce and several financial trials I am doing my best to be responsible. I trust God, therefore I tithe and with my limited income, I even give to several charities. But we differ in opinions when it comes to civic responsibility. There is a percentage of people who have what they have in this country at the expense of others. Stealing from the responsible, you say? Would we have deemed Bernard Madoff \\"responsible\\" had we not found out about his dirty little secret? There are so many people who have made their fortune committing \\"white collar crimes\\" that have affected millions in this country but we turn our heads and look the other way. When you speak of the irresponsible I can\\\’t help but think of poor people who want just a crumb of this pie, the American Dream. Many of them get into situations that lead to the mortgage crisis because the \\"haves\\" have moved on up and turned their backs on the poor. They shipped jobs oversees because of greed and their desire to make a bigger profit. They can buy more stuff it they had cheaper labor. Mind you, I believe that if you work hard you deserve to enjoy the labor of your hands. But this is a society driven by greed and the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. I am the working poor. Barely making ends meet, but I do my best. As an African American I wonder if, my grandfather had free slave labor or were he the friend of a slave owner or if he had “white skin privilege” what my life would be like today. (Yes there is such a thing). What would my friends’ lives be like? You see, when you own the business you can employ whomever you like. So let\\\’s be careful who we are calling irresponsible thieves.
Jesus came to give hope to the poor. The Pharisees and Sadducees thought they were better than the poor and that they would enter into the kingdom of heaven. But Jesus came to see the captives free. He fed the hungry and healed their hurts. He came for the least of these. Read Matthew 25:30-40 …..Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. How can you remove the mote in your brother’s eye when there is a beam in your own? I’d love to hear who Jesus would consider the real thieves . . . .

I could say so much more but I\\\’ll end it here. I hope I don\\\’t offend you when I say this but you need to befriend \\"everyday\\" African Amercian people. At least one and I\\\’m sure you will get some amazing insite into a whole new world of thining. We love this country but we are still feeling the effects of a painful past. God Bless you.