Blessed Are The Poor

I came across an article reporting that 1/3 of students in the Milwaukee Metropolitan School District were living in poverty in 2005. See article at: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=705506

Just think about the ripple effect that takes place for a student living in poverty. How can the student concentrate on school studies and social activities when wondering whether or not he or she will have a place to stay on any given evening? What if the student is always hungry or cold due to lack of proper amounts of clothing? This situation creates a vicious cycle. The student needs a good eduction to help free themselves and their families from poverty. However, poverty keeps the student from being able to concentrate on studies that will lead to a good education. This cycle does not recognize the difference between public and private education.

Think this doesn't impact the rest of us? Well, the students of today are the ones that will be funding the Social Security and Medicare benefits some of us will hopefully have access to not too far down the road. I want a well-educated workforce that earns a level of income that allows them fo fully participate in community life (including paying for benefits we old codgers will be using). I don't want a generation that includes a significant number of people that have minimal life options due to lack of a good education. These people tend to create options that include sustance abuse (to help escape the fact that their options are limited), crime, etc.

We are responsible for all of our brothers and sister regardless of race, religion and economic situation. Feed the poor!