Why are none of the presidential hopefulls going to poor areas ?

[blues90]

if they are I have not seen them and if their not then it all about fund raising then none of them are worth a damn .

[billyoc]

1. 'Cause,

iz in ur district, cagin' ur votez!

[havocmom]

14. You got it.

No money in those areas and they won't get to vote much anyway with all the shit goin down.

[LostInAnomie]

2. Edwards and Obama have both hit some pretty economically devastated areas.

[zanne]

68. Obama's NH headquarters is in the inner city.

When I'm waiting for my ride outside the building at night, I listen to the music from the bar across the street. It's all low-rent, multiple apartment buildings.

[TomInTib]

3. It IS all about fund-raising.

Anyone who thinks that those political machines give a damn about poor people (except getting their votes) is delusional.

[cali]

4. It's not true.

There has been quite a bit of coverage about Edwards campaigning in economically depressed areas.

[coco77]

12. What other places has he been besides,,,

New orleans...

[partylessinOhio]

5. Have they been to Nashville?

Edit to remove my comment which generated such a very nasty response.

Best of luck to you.

[bobbolink]

6. "They were abhorred"?

I'm not surprised that somone with that level of education would have such stereotypes.

May your relatives find themselves in those shoes.

[tkmorris]

7. Ouch!

That one is gonna leave a mark I think.

[NMMNG]

10. Pardon?

Would you care to elaborate on this? :popcorn:

[valerief]

16. I was shocked 7 years ago by all the homeless in Salt Lake City. nt

[Catchawave]

8. Edwards did a poverty tour recently

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/16/us/politics/16edwards.html?ex=1188964800&en=ec4ba80ff6ebbe51&ei=5070

[bobbolink]

11. But, you see, Edwards isn't included in the "top tier", so it's "none"

sigh......

How John and Elizabeth keep their cool with all the silly crap and the being ignored is beyond me!

:applause: for John and Elizabeth!

[iamjoy]

17. Obama

Credit where credit is due. I'm an Edwards supporter, but Obama has a history of doing work in some of the impoverished areas of Chicago.

I believe he is reluctant to be as strident about it as Edwards in this campaign because even though he (Obama) feels passionately about this, he wants to be seen as a positive candidate. No one likes poor people shoved in their face - it makes them depressed and uncomfortable.

I am quite confident that if Obama were president, he would do a lot to help the poor.

What's funny is I see Edwards being more of a fighter on rural poverty and Obama on urban. They're not exactly the same.

Edwards/Obama 08!

[bobbolink]

18. "no one likes poor people shoved in their face -- it makes them depressed and uncomfortable"

Well, geee.... now isn't that just toooooo bad.

I guess we poor folk shouldn't feel depressed and uncomfortable about dying in poverty, though, as long as it can save someone like Obama.

If this was meant to solicit support for Obama, it not only failed, but if this is actually his stance, it will make a lot of poor folk ANGRY.

:nuke:

It's so amazing to me... now there are posts about how DU has been down on gays, but saying something like this about poor folk is A-OK.

So, get in defensive mode now.....

[NMMNG]

22. What is it with you?

Why do you always have to bring gay people into everything all the time?

What is your big beef with us?


There are plenty of people complaining about all of the religious bigotry on DU. Why don't you go nag at them?

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JackBeck]

31. And where's the laptop getting energy from?

Especially at 3 am?

[Puglover]

32. Oh you are bad boy.

:rofl:

[iamjoy]

26. I'm Stating The Truth

I agree people need to be made aware of the issue, but that doesn't change the fact that people don't want to hear that message.

And, I didn't mean to hurt Obama. I'm not a campaign insider - in a weird way I was trying to defend him or understand why a man who has done so much to fight poverty in Chicago has not gotten publicity for big stump speeches about it. I'm not going to try to defend him any further and have my words misconstrued as an attack on Obama or poor people. My intent was honestly to try and point out something good about his record.

Please tell me what I said negative about poor people? Take a deep breath and read my post again. I was actually pointing out something about AMERICA.

[bobbolink]

33. YOU take a deep breath and reread your words!

Try stepping in OUR shoes and think how that would feel to YOU.

I'll say it again.... you wouldn't make excuses for overlooking gay rights, for overlooking African Americans, or other groups. YET.... it's perfectly fine to say that about poor Americans.

THINK.

[iamjoy]

36. There's A Difference

There's a difference between overlooking something and simply not making it a central focus of your campaign. It's called balance. No one wants to be a one trick donkey.

And I would say the same thing to people asking why the candidates aren't focusing enough on gay rights, aren't focusing enough on the environment, aren't focusing enough on ___________(insert issue here). No matter what the issue is, no matter how important it is, people don't want it rammed down their throat.

Which candidates are FOCUSING on gay rights? Which Democratic candidates are EMPHASIZING the environment? Are any of them talking about "African American Issues"?

I personally wish the candidates would spend less time on the Iraq War and more on the economy (including poverty) and healthcare. I wish they'd talk more about women's rights and privacy. But, hey - I'm not the only person in the room. I understand that and I don't get a big chip on my shoulder about the candidates "ignoring" an issue because they don't talk about it as much as I would like.

[bobbolink]

44. whoa..... look how many people here say "I won't vote for ....... because

s/he doesn't support my cause", and YES, many of those are gays upset because some candidate doesn't support gay marriage. There's been many an angry thread about just that topic. That's their right, and certainly they need to do what's in their best interest. Same with racial issues and environment, etc.

Yet, somehow, it's different for poor folk. WE shouldn't demand inclusion or to be presented in positive ways. If we demand that, we "have a chip on our shoulder". DAMN! Why is that any different from any other group? WHy are WE singled out for needing to be shy petunias?

Then, we hear how we "don't vote" our "own best interests".

:crazy:

[Bluebear]

28. Here we go again with the gays. nt

[NMMNG]

29. Why do you hate poor people?

:shrug:

[bobbolink]

34. Yeah, here we go again. You know you wouldn't tolerate for one second

a statement like that about gay people, or black people, etc.

Yet, it's OK to use those words about poor people.

And you are so dead set that I'm against gays that you can't let yourself hear what I'm saying.

It's really NOT all about you.

REALLY.

[NMMNG]

39. *Sigh*

1. You misinterpreted what iamjoy said. iamjoy was not making a statement against poor people, but against the shallowness and callousness of others. Those who choose to ignore the plight of the poor, and can't stand to see poor people because it reminds them that they're doing little or nothing to help them (often despite claiming to be a "good Christian").

2. In your reply to iamjoy you once again brought gays up, like you do in so many of your posts. Why? Gay people had nothing to do with the subject of iamjoy's post nor the thread, yet you had to get in a barb toward them. Then when called on it you act all innocent and there's nothing. If it's really not all about us then please stop bringing us into all of your posts.


3. If you took a second to read you'd see that I spoke out against someone who said nasty stuff against poor people upthread. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1725658#1725810 But I guess that doesn't matter to you. :eyes:

[Catchawave]

23. Edwards/Obama would definitely kick GOP butt....

Then Obama in 2016 and beyond ! I like that plan :)

Sorry to my Hillary supporting friends, I love Hil, but not for my President. :hug:

[Bluebear]

9. Edwards conducted a "Road to One America tour" to highlight poverty issues

From Monday, July 16th, 2007 to Wednesday, July 18th, 2007, Senator John Edwards took a break from his normal campaign schedule to travel to 8 states to shine a bright spotlight on the issue of poverty in America. During the tour, Edwards met with people struggling with poverty, in order to share their personal stories with the nation. He also discussed how we can build One America where every person has the chance to work hard and get ahead.

http://johnedwards.com/road/

[JDPriestly]

13. Edwards is going everywhere in Iowa.

Chariton is not a particularly wealthy town, as Iowa towns go. I recall it from my childhood -- long, long ago.

[Toasterlad]

15. Their Corporate Bosses Told Them Not to Bother.

[saltpoint]

19. Some have, not least John Edwards, but the mainstream media is very

definitely disinterested in covering potential presidents addressing concerns of the Americans who are too poor to buy the products of the huge corporations advertising on said networks.

They'll cover Mitt Romney at Disney World a lot more readily and at much greater length than John Edwards in the 9th ward of New Orleans.

Edwards is insisting that poverty be discussed. It's going to be interesting to watch the tense interplay between his campaign and the media this fall.

It's real clear that there are different agendas out there.

[Skidmore]

20. People can't afford to donate?

[LWolf]

21. Are you sure they aren't?

I can't speak for any of the other candidates, and I haven't kept track of DK's schedule this time around, but I did in '03 and '04, and he spent plenty of time in poor neighborhoods. I was there to see him a couple of times.

He's certainly knows the issues of poverty better than any of the other 7, and he certainly addresses those issues better, as well.

Universal health care
Jobs programs
Universal pre-school through college/trade school education
Pouring resources into communities instead of spending it on wars abroad....

If the poor and/or working class are looking for a knight in shining armor, they don't shine brighter than DK.

[blues90]

24. No I haven't kept track but I don't see their rallies in poor areas

I agree about DK . No matter , without the high funds what chance does he have . What we will end up with is just another highly funded slug and the beat will go on and the poor will always be poor there will just be more of them .

any true people person has to kill the huge corps and stop them in their filthy tracks and these candidants are on the payroll .

You try to do the right thing and you end up dead .

[LWolf]

27. There are certainly enough of the poor

to be a solid voting block, if they vote in their best interests.

I guess the only way to know what kind of neighborhoods they are spending time in is to show up when he comes to your region.

In '03, I listened to DK speak on the steps of a courthouse in a downtown area. He also showed to walk the picket line with grocery workers' strikers in so cal that year. I also met him in a private home, which was definitely NOT poor, lol.

I know he's showed up at coffee houses and plenty of smaller, more accessible venues. I think he's accessible to the poor, if they know he's coming. His local campaign organizers might want to do more to get information about him to that voting segment, and to make sure they know when he's going to be in town. Perhaps a focused effort for house parties in working class neighborhoods.

[bobbolink]

35. Yes, in '03, DK was speaking on behalf of poor folk.

As I've said to you before, that changed in 04. You probably didn't notice, because to most DK people, the war is EVERYTHING, and I was told that to my face by DK people.

"if they vote in their best interests."

Which is why I switched my support to Edwards. He is steadfastly working for poverty issues. Unlike the rest of them.

[LWolf]

37. What, exactly, changed in '04?

I haven't seen any of the work that he does on behalf of the poor lessened. I haven't seen a change in stance on issues.

What, exactly, changed? Can you provide evidence of the change you are claiming?

[bobbolink]

42. As I have replied to you before, DK dropped poverty from his priorites in '04.

It was done in response to an email he sent out, asking everyone to list their priorities. Poverty didn't rate. Which says something about DK supporters, I guess.

As for the constant demand of "PROOF", I have lost everything. I no longer have my compter, so if you chose to call me a liar for that, have at it.

You were, I remember, a DK supporter in '04, so if you kept everything the way that you are demanding that *I* keep everything, then you have that email.

Oh, and when I talked with someone in the campaign, uphappy that I had put so much effort into his campaign, to see *MY* life and needs dropped, I only got "Everything is connected."

So, here I am, at the end of my road with being homeless, and nothing has changed.

So, go ahead and be angry with me, demand I "prove" it, etc..

OR... you could have a bit of understanding and compassion for how it feels to be dropped.

THAT it up to you.

[LWolf]

47. I am not angry at you, and I am not fighting with you.

I have plenty of understanding and compassion for those in tight circumstances. I'm there myself.

I come from working poor people. I know, and have lived, the issues of the poor my entire life.

That has nothing to do with what I asked you.

You keep saying that DK "dropped" poverty as an issue. I have kept up with him since '04, and I've seen no signs that he "dropped" poverty as an issue. I don't remember the email in question, but then, I get 50 or so emails a day. I don't see that asking people to list their priorities is a bad thing. I think it is appropriate for our government reps to get information about what we want. They are working for us, after all.

I really haven't seen his stance on issues, or his priorities, change since '04. That's why I asked for what has changed. An email asking people what their priorities are isn't changing anything. It's asking people for feedback.

I've read his position papers, I've followed him as closely as I can, and I can't find anyplace that he "dropped" the issues of the poor. I still see plenty of support for the people who need it most. :shrug:

BTW, I agree with DK about everything being connected. That's how you understand and find sources of problems, rather than treating symptoms. You look for the connections.

I hear your frustration, just as I hear the ills of many. I don't know ANYONE who is worse than they were before the current people took power, and I know plenty who are living on the edge every day. I count myself one of the above. It doesn't make anything better to know that you are not alone in financial or professional crisis, but there it is.

[bobbolink]

49. You probably don't remember the email, because it didn't personally affect you.

It affects ME.

Yes, it happened, and if you think that is a good thing, then you lack compassion.

Maybe his "position papers" include poverty, but he certainly isn't talking about it on the stump, or writing bills. I don't even remember if he has signed on as cosponsor for HR2895. It doesn't seem to register with him anhymore.

WWWAAAARRRRR is his only issue now.

So, I'm with Edwards.

Because I WILL VOTE MY BEST INTEREST!!

That is, if I even get to vote. Being homeless, and probably not even making it to the election, it's doubtful.

Not that it matters.

[LWolf]

53. Cosponsors of HR 2895 as of Sept. 4th, 2007:

<snip>

H.R. 2895 : Mrs. Maloney of New York, Mr. Watt, Ms. Carson, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Crowley, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. George Miller of California, Ms. Zoe Lofgren of California, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Rush, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Honda, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Pastor, Mrs. McCarthy of New York, Ms. Watson, Mr. Delahunt, Mr. Courtney, Mr. McGovern, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Kucinich, Mrs. Davis of California, and Mr. Israel.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?r110:4:./temp/~r110RzFeQ0::

From his "issues" page. It was submitted November 16, 2006, after the Democrats won a majority in Congress; the bolding is mine:

America is losing its way at home and in the world. We have no money to rebuild America's cities, but we have money to blow up cities in Iraq. No money to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to shelter the homeless in America, but money to rain death, destruction, and starvation on Iraq.

Once again, the hopes of people of two nations are being smashed by weapons in the name of eliminating weapons. Let us abolish weapons of mass destruction at home. I am from the inner city. I have inspected these weapons.

Joblessness is a weapon of mass destruction.
Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction.
Hunger is a weapon of mass destruction.
Poor health care is a weapon of mass destruction.
Poor education is a weapon of mass destruction.
Discrimination is a weapon of mass destruction.
Let us abolish such weapons of mass destruction here at home. Eight and a half million Americans are unemployed. Bankruptcies are up. The number of uninsured without health care is up. The price of prescription drugs is up. Poverty is up. Crime is up. Homelessness is up. Hopelessness is up. Fear is up. Let us use the trillion dollars which some would cast upon Iraq in bombs and warring troops, instead for the restoration of the American dream, to rebuild our economy, to rebuild our cities and to expand opportunities for all.

Those who say we can have guns and butter do not know the cost of guns and do not know the bread you would put your butter on is being stolen. America may spend over a trillion dollars for war in Iraq. America can give a trillion dollar tax cut to the rich, spend a trillion dollars to put weapons in space, but not a dime more for temporary assistance to needy families.

I believe the American people are people of strength, wisdom, and courage. They have a right to expect their government to be truly representative! It is time to say stop this war. It is time to recognize that the terror we visit on the people of Iraq will bring terror to our own people. Bring our troops home. Come home, America. Come home and fix your broken streets and mend your broken dreams. Come home and rebuild your cities and create full employment, put millions who are unemployed back to work. Come home and establish a living wage, let workers share the wealth they create. Come home and provide affordable housing. Come home and provide single-payer, guaranteed health care for the 41 million Americans who suffer illness with no relief. Come home, America. Come home and provide free public college for all who aspire to attend.

Come home and act affirmatively to make sure that all opportunities are afforded to all Americans.

http://www2.kucinich.us/issues/poverty.php

[bobbolink]

56. Thank you for the info on his co-sponsoring of HR2895.

I appreciate knowing that.

The rest... well, it's from quite a long time ago, and doesn't figure into his campaign stuff.

It hurt very much to be dropped, and when I saw the power Edwards was investing in poverty, I knew where my support would have to be.

Dennis' book, Prayer For America, said all those good things, and got me in his corner. But, now it's all about the war. End the war so poverty can have a chance.

I don't have time for that.... I'm suffering NOW.

[bobbolink]

57. BTW, Kucinich didn't sign on as co-sponsor until 9-4-07

No *wonder* I didn't see him on the list.

Wonder, though, why he would wait.....

:shrug:

[LWolf]

58. Why not ask him?

You've got some very personal concerns. Write and ask him, and maybe his answers would help you deal with the issues you seem to be wrestling with. If you do, please share any response that you get.

[bobbolink]

59. How would I do that? First off, I don't have an address. Remember?

That's the nature of being homeless -- no address.

Second, he won't answer someone out of his district.

Third, why is it all up to ME to push for this? Why isn't this of any interest to all of you who are for Kucinich?

You know, if all of you thought poverty should be a priority, and pushed him on it, it would happen. It was dropped because it wasn't POPULAR with all of you supporters!

Don't tell me it's all my fault, and all my responsibility. If you think all his supporters and Kucinich himself are so caring, then PUSH.

Telling me I'm alone in all this is what caused me to drop DK in the first place!

The next time you say, or hear someone else say, that "the poor should vote their own best interests", remember this conversation.

Because I WILL VOTE MY BEST INTERESTS!

And right now, that's not DK.

[LWolf]

60. Here is what I suggest:

email him. It's not hard. You have computer access, and can get a free email account, if you don't have one already.

You could email the campaign or his office in Ohio.

Or send a letter snail mail. Type it up and pm it to me here, and I'll mail it for you.

Why should you do this? Because you are the person with the concerns.

DK's supporters aren't concerned that he has "dropped" poverty from his priorities. They, and I, are confident that his agenda would best serve the most neglected, neediest of us first, and all of us best. That includes you.

I'd like you to note a couple of points:

Never, in this conversation, have I suggested, directly or indirectly, that you abandon your current choice for DK.

I have not mentioned Edwards at all. This isn't a campaign conversation for me. While, as a DK supporter, I wish that enough of the people he works for would honor his efforts with a vote to get him the nomination, I also respect people's right to make their own choice.

I'm talking to you because I think you have real concerns, and I think you are mistaken about DK. I was thinking that your feelings were honest, and I have enough empathy to talk to you about them.

I may have been mistaken. It may be that you are thinking that announcing that "Dennis Kucinich has 'dropped' poverty" is some sort of a campaign talking point for Edwards. If so, that's a weak talking point, because it can be disproved too easily.

If you are not just attacking as a campaign strategy; if you really want to talk to DK, or question him about, poverty, my offer still stands. PM me a letter; I'll cut and paste it into a word processor, print it, and mail it for you.

[bobbolink]

61. Geeeeez.........would you please LISTEN

His office does NOT accept email from out of his district. I'm sure you're aware of that.

I told you that I CALLED his campaign in '04, and was brushed off.

Dennis and Elizabeth were in my town last year, and I talked to him PERSONALLY about it. Brushed off.

Yes, it's MY CONCERN.

That is isn't yours is very telling.

That it isn't a concern of his supporters says it ALL.

When you're working for a campaign, and canvassing, as I did for DK!!!, you LISTEN to the concerns of people whose votes you want, and you do what you can to get those concerns HEARD by the campaign.

You don't dismiss people with "That's your concern."

And accusing me of slandering DK for Edwards is really cheap. Actually, I understand that they are good friends.

You're taking his "concern" for granted, rather than pushing him on it. The fact that he waited MONTHS to sign onto HR2895 is telling, and should give you a clue that what I'm saying is on target. But, keep pushing ME to "believe" in him, and accusing me of "campaign tactics". HE WAITED MONTHS. Ask him WHY. If you're so confident, then SPEAK UP. Talking about nothing except the wwwwaaaarrrrrr, then assuring poor folk we can trust him doesn't cut it. We have a good example of someone who DOES speak up, and DOES take action. DK, sadly, ain't it.

[LWolf]

62. It's true that

you can't email his congressional office. His campaign does take snail mail, though, and you've been offered an opportunity to do that.

Having spoken to him several times in '04 about several issues, I can say that I was never brushed off. Neither were any of those around me, patiently waiting for their turn.

I hear your concern. Of course, poverty is my concern; it's a concern for all people with a conscience. It's not the concern you are talking about though. Your concern is that he isn't doing enough. I don't have that concern; I believe that his platform will do more for those in poverty than anyone else's.

I've already stated this; I'm sure you listened.

You don't want to hear from his supporters, who already think that things like universal health care, universal pre-school - college education, wpa -type programs to provide jobs at home, getting rid of nafta/cafta and stopping the outsourcing of jobs and income, spending money at home for infrastructure for people, strong support for affordable housing, a strong record on working for the homeless (see below), are the way to address both long and short-term issues of poverty. I don't know that I want to quibble over WHEN he cosponsored a bill; I hope he spends more time reading it than some of our current candidates spent reading the IWR before casting their vote.

You either want to hear from DK himself, or you don't want your "he dropped me" meme challenged. :shrug:

Again, it's up to you. PM me your letter, and I'll send it.

Personally, I like it when a candidate who says he supports a position has a record to back that up:

<snip>

Homelessness

In the last few years, homelessness has increased in Northeast Ohio. In 2002, requests for emergency shelter in Cleveland increased by 15%, just under the 19% national average, according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless estimate that 26,000 individuals are homeless within each year and 4,000 individuals are homeless on any given night in the Cleveland area. The National Coalition for the Homeless puts that estimate at 2 million to 7 million people homeless within a year and 500,000 to 700,000 are homeless on any given night nationally.

Because of these trends and an increase in the number of constituents seeking help from the Congressional Office, Congressman Kucinich initiated the 10th District Homelessness Summit. Over 200 representatives of homeless service and advocacy groups, governmental agencies, elected officials, and current and formerly homeless persons in the Cleveland area, have participated in the Summit meetings, the first on February 7, 2003, with a series of follow-up meetings. The proceedings of those Summit meetings were released by Congressman Kucinich in an August 21, 2003, press conference at his Lakewood District Office. The Homelessness Summit Report highlights programs in Ohio’s 10th Congressional District that contribute toward helping homeless persons or helping persons avoid homelessness. It also points out important gaps in funding and services and makes programmatic and legislative recommendations.


Securing Funds for Homeless Programs

In the 106th Congress, Congressman Kucinich’s advocacy made federal homeless program funds more readily available to the community groups that implement those programs. Congressman Kucinich pressured Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officials in private meetings, through statements on the House floor and in committee meetings to agree to give technical advice to non-profit applicants for HUD program funds. The changes HUD agreed to were passed into law after HR 409 passed the House of Representatives.

Congressman Kucinich learned of a problem when a Cleveland-based homeless program, PASS, was denied HUD funding. This Salvation Army program shelters 47 homeless men and gives them counseling and job training. HUD turned down the request after the applicant mistakenly checked the wrong box on the grant application form. The applicant had sought advice from HUD that would have prevented the problem. However, HUD denies giving advice to applicants.

Congressman Kucinich’s involvement made the critical difference. "This really means so much," said Bill Bowen, an official with the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland." Thanks to your determined voice of reason, the HUD bureaucracy was successfully challenged to examine their rejection of this important project," wrote Tim McCormack, Jane L. Campbell and Jimmy Dimora, Cuyahoga County Commissioners, in a letter to Congressman Kucinich dated May 19, 1999.

In January 2000, HUD turned down a request for funds submitted by Mental Health Services, Inc. of Cleveland on bureaucratic grounds. Mental Health Services provides mobile services for homeless persons. Congressman Kucinich acted immediately and wrote HUD Secretary Cuomo on behalf of Mental Health Services. As a result of Kucinich's action, HUD reversed itself and awarded funding to Cuyahoga County for mobile mental health services.

"For HUD to reverse itself…is close to miraculous…You have helped to preserve one of the most important programs for the homeless in Cuyahoga County," wrote President John Urban and Executive Director Steve Friedman of Mental Health Services, in a letter faxed on March 3, 2000.


Helping the Homeless

Congressman Kucinich is an original cosponsor of the Bringing Home America Act. This legislation offers comprehensive reforms with the goal of eradicating homelessness in America.

In December 1999, Congressman Kucinich chaired a fact-finding hearing to gather information on the status of programs affecting the Cleveland-area homeless population, particularly homeless families with children and homeless veterans. Local homeless providers know the needs of homeless families with children; they see the struggles of homeless veterans. The purpose of these hearings was to listen to testimony that highlighted policies possibly in need of change. The hearing included testimony from several homeless Clevelanders, and experts from the Cleveland chapter of the Salvation Army, the United Way, and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless.


Requesting Release of Census Bureau Data on Homeless the Homeless

Congressman Kucinich has followed up these efforts in the 107th Congress by seeking to have the Census 2000 data on the nation’s homeless population released to the public. For the 2000 Census local governments and homeless advocacy groups, in partnership with the Census Bureau, invested resources in counting Americans sleeping in shelters, eating at soup kitchens, and living on the streets through Service Based Enumeration and Targeted Non Shelter Outdoor Location programs.

However, the Census Bureau decided not to show the count of people living in shelters and on the streets separately. Instead, people counted on the street will be lumped in with people living in other “noninstitutional group quarters,” which are dormitories or other places in which people live that are not operated by the government.

Congressman Kucinich believes that local governments and community groups deserve to learn the results of this collection. If data is provided at the local geographic level communities will be able to determine what services are needed by residents of their community.

Local Cleveland community groups that participated in this enumeration, for example, the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, held a service fair to increase the number of homeless people counted.

During consideration of the Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2002 Congressman Kucinich and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY) offered an amendment to ensure the Census Bureau is able to release a special report in the fall containing the Enumeration programs. Unfortunately the amendment failed 209-217.

Congressman Kucinich has also sent letters to the Acting Director of the Census requesting the release of this information. In addition, the Congressman also contacted the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Census and requested a hearing on the Census 2000 information of people living on the streets and in homeless shelters.


Columbia Park/Olmsted Township Senior Mobile Home Park

When Congressman Kucinich was contacted by several of the 2,000 residents of the Columbia Park manufactured home community in Olmsted Township about a steep rent increase, he investigated the situation. He found out that an out-of-state business partnership purchased the park as an investment and raised rents by 17-25%, amounts which seniors on fixed incomes would have a hard time meeting. Because Columbia Park is protected as a “55 and Older Community” under the federal Fair Housing Act, the Congressman sent counsel to meet with the residents and learned that the residents were not organized into a renter’s organization. Concerned that the new owners were trying to break up the community for commercial development in the near future and leaving hundreds or thousands of seniors without viable housing options, Congressman Kucinich called in the Cleveland Tenants Organization whose executive director Mike Foley met with the residents and helped them form the Columbia Park Homeowners and Tenants Organization to fight the rent increases. The Congressman helped the group develop a strategy to combat the increases, including the largest rent strike in the history of the State of Ohio and the development of a plan for the residents to purchase the property with the backing of the county if necessary. While the case is still pending, Congressman Kucinich is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to take any action necessary to protect the seniors of Columbia Park.


Cuyahoga Affordable Housing Alliance

Congressman Kucinich closely monitors the status of affordable housing in Cleveland through his participation in the Cuyahoga Affordable Housing Alliance. The Congressman helped organize CAHA in 1997 when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development began to switch from project-based subsidies which guarantee that affordable housing units will be available, to tenant-based subsidies which provide vouchers to qualified tenants but do not guarantee that the tenants will find a willing landlord to accept the voucher. CAHA meets monthly at HUD’s Cleveland office to monitor the status of various low income housing programs, the quality of housing, and the maintenance and availability of affordable units to meet the needs of low-income people in Ohio’s 10th District and the Greater Cleveland area. CAHA consists of agencies and elected officials of the federal, county, and local governments; senior organizations; low-income housing tenants and advocates; social service agencies; homeless organizations; and building owners and managers.


Affordable Housing for Cleveland

In December 1999, Congressman Kucinich also announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded two federal grants aimed at helping Cleveland area residents find affordable rental housing. The first grant, of $1.3 million, was to the PVA Circle of Homes for five year funding for a total of 75 Section 8 housing assistance vouchers under HUD’s Mainstream Program. This program enables persons with disabilities (both elderly and non-elderly) to rent affordable private housing of their choice. The second grant, of $655,000, was awarded to the Cuyahoga Housing Authority for a total of 100 Section 8 vouchers to promote family unification among eligible families so that children will not be separated from their parents because of lack of housing.

In the 107th Congress, Congressman Kucinich is a co-sponsor of H.R. 2349, the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act. This bill would place surplus funds generated by the Federal Housing Authority into a trust fund upon which states and non-profits could draw in order to build affordable housing and provide rental subsidies for low- and middle-income individuals. Today, over five million Americans are paying more than half their incomes on housing or living in substandard housing. This critical legislation would ease the housing crisis for citizens in the Cleveland area and all over our country.

More:

http://kucinich.house.gov/Issues/Issue/?IssueID=1561#Securing

[bobbolink]

63. Your lack of compassion says so much.

"You either want to hear from DK himself, or you don't want your "he dropped me" meme challenged. "

Would you like to be MORE confrontational?

Is there nothing inside you that can hear HURT AND PAIN?

I'm so sick of "liberals" who want to confront, rather than understand WHY others feel as they do. You can CHOOSE to listen and hear how it hurts to have been told the things that have been said to me!

YOU haven't answered really WHY YOU are unwilling to push for more visibility on poverty issues. This "I trust him" doesn't stand up.

AND, I dont' appreciate your insinuation that I'm making up a story about being brushed off. He responds *most* to questions and comments about the wwwwaaaaarrrrr, as I'm sure you know.

I'll send you a damned PM, but you are NOT to use it to send back more insinuations, criticisms, and confrontations! If you do, I will alert on it.

And, all your "issues" are from before '04, and many from before even 2000. I could also find lots before 2004, including his book, which brought tears to my eyes. I don't know how many times I must repeat..... he dropped it in 2004. Before that, he was talking strongly about poverty, and that's why I worked on his campaign, (yeah, that MEME! shit), and why it hurt so much.

[LWolf]

64. Please alert.

I have not insinuated anything and I have not attacked anything. My statements are open, transparent, and clearcut. You do not know enough about me to know my level of compassion, so your judgments are in error, and out of line. Still,

The offer stands. Send it on, and I'll let you know how it goes.

[bobbolink]

66. You've insinuated much, and the fact that you just defend yourself,

rather than utter any empathy, says it all.

Did you learn all this for canvassing? Cuz you're not going to win converts to DK this way.

[LWolf]

67. Again, I am not trying to convert you.

I am not campaigning in this discussion.

Again, I'm not even defending myself. I don't need to; your attack is without merit.

Again, you don't know enough about me to be the judge and jury on my levels of compassion or empathy.

Again, if you are really concerned, send me your letter and I'll forward it on. If not, don't. This conversation is not going anywhere. I'm closing the door.

[rucky]

65. Poverty is a symptom, not a cause.

and DK's platform is focused on the root causes of poverty: Healthcare, job security

[ThomWV]

25. Because if they did it would take time away from the people who fund elections

[Liberal_in_LA]

38. Barak came to an 'inner city' area a few months ago (Los Angeles)

[Blackhatjack]

40. The truth is the MSM covers 'anecdotal' stories of the poor for entertainment value....

Candidates that visit poor areas will likely be covered.

Candidates pushing an agenda that includes support for 'poor people and communities' will not.

Corporations and 'rich people' don't hate 'poor people' --as long as they are marginalized to the point that they become 'invisible', do not ask for assistance in the form of taxpayer money, and they perform tasks at low or minimum wage that the upper class will not perform for themselves.

A presidential candidate like John Edwards would upset this structure by including these Americans in their government and its decisionmaking.

Can't have that --so don't expect MSM coverage of Edwards appearing in poor areas.

However, Edwards has used every venue provided to highlight the needs of those in poverty, and he has shamed those who have 'worked the system' to reap massive wealth at the expense of those who have so little.

[bobbolink]

43. That's just about how I see it, too, as one of those poor people.

We're just entertainment, and a good way to say, "See how much better I am", and that includes waaay too many people who call themselves "progressive".

I know that Edwards has either "shamed" or converted some, and that's why he converted me to his support. When he went to campaign for Lamont, which very very few Dems did!, Lamont came out on stage to introduce him, and the first thing he said was, "I want to apologize for not including poverty as a priority in my campaign." Clearly, Edwards got to him, and made him "see the light".

That rates high in my book!

[Blackhatjack]

45. Edwards has said "poverty in this country is an embarrassment..." and he is right! n/t

There is no excuse for 46 million without healthcare and 'working poor' in a country this rich.

But it is purely inexcusable to allow so many families and their children to live without the basic necessities of life in a country in which the ultra-rich and corporations grab millions in taxcuts, and ask for more.

Embarrassment? It would be if they had any conscience.

[bobbolink]

48. It's also inexcuseable for so many older and single women to be homeless!

The only thing that bothers me about Edwards is he always talks about "families", as if we single folk are invisible.

:hi: I'm here, and I'm waving to him... think he'll see me?

Be better, because he's the only one who even gives a rip at all!

[nam78_two]

52. Totally agree Bobbie & I saw Elizabeth Edwards talk about just that

at a speech she gave in Michigan a while back. She was talking about how single women as a group tend to have lower incomes than just about any other group and how the situation gets worse as women get older, with more single women ending up without health insurance, health care etc. It was an excellent speech. She is definitely one of the reasons Edwards gets my vote.

How are ya doing :hi: ?

[bobbolink]

55. Thanks so much for telling me about that! I envy you for being there!

I often get the feeling that John concentrates on "families", and forgets there are us singles, especially women.

It really helps me to know that Elizabeth not only hasn't forgotten, but that she is pushing it! I know that means she will make sure that John remembers.

They are the only ones who are taking poverty seriously, so this has been a big concern of mine. You have set my fears at rest. I just wish there was a way to get a message through to 'em.

I wish I could take the cancer from Elizabeth.... better me than her. She has so much to do, and so many people who are depending on her to carry on.

Thanks for asking, but I'm not well. Things are not good.

I hope things are better for you.

[Mutineer]

41. Because they won't cough up

donations to bank their runs?

[KneelBeforeZod]

46. Its ALL about fundraising and getting elected ...

The poorer the people, the less likely they are to cast a vote in either a primary or a general election. And, poor people don't contribute to campaigns.

The only time a candidate will EVER visit a poor area is for a photo op to impress rich voters. Its NEVER about actually speaking to, or helping, the poor ... its about raising money and getting elected.

Z

[nam78_two]

50. I know John Edwards had a tour of the poverty-stricken areas of the country a while back

I believe he kicked off the tour in New Orleans. I saw bits of it on CSPAN a while back.

[HughMoran]

51. I guess Edwards doesn't count

.

[Homer Wells]

54. Edwards needs to do a "Harry Truman",

Harry went on the stump in a train, hitting small town stops throughout Middle America, speaking the plain truth to the average citizens, attacking the Republican Party and its candidate (Dewey).

He spoke of his dreams for this country, and lambasted his opponents at every turn. The well-known phrase "Give 'em HELL, Harry", came from that time.

Dewey thought he had it in the bag, and so did the MSM, and I am sure many of us remember the great photo taken the day after the election, where a victorious Truman held the newspaper with the headline "DEWEY WINS".
It happened once, it could happen again.

[blues90]

69. All in all , it's still about the money

If a candidate cannot raise 100 million or more then what chance have they . It is possible people may vote for the best candidate but they first have to get the nomination . That leaves Clinton, Obama and Edwards .

We really never get to choose a president , we only get what is offered and who has the funding .

How are the poor of the losing middle class going to look at this ? It takes them right out of the picture because they have not the money to contribute .

The huge fund raisers should be cancelled out .