Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 3, 1991 TAG: 9102040268
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: F-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Society's tolerance for those less fortunate (especially the homeless) is fast evaporating. Very little has been done to alleviate the problems that caused the disparities. In fact, in recent years, more has been done to escalate the population of the homeless and the disadvantaged.
Today, millions of Americans cannot afford (1) to purchase their own homes, (2) to further their education and (3) to obtain any insurance or adequate insurance.
To make matters worse, we are in a recession. More and more Americans are joining the ranks of the unemployed and underpaid. Our governments (at all levels) want to implement even more cutbacks in essential programs, particularly education, social services and human resources.
Apparently, our elected officials cannot comprehend that when you eliminate some of your assets, you also increase your liabilities. The number of the disadvantaged will keep on increasing by the millions unless we (as taxpayers and voters) demand that our governments cease eliminating and reducing vital programs.
Doling out handouts, or providing temporary shelters, or presenting your mayor with a bag of feces, does not solve anything. If all concerned citizens would spend 5 1/2 days either contacting their elected officials or doing volunteer work, it would reduce the number of the disadvantaged.
I touched Baby Isaiah's right hand at the funeral home. Will you do the same for others before it is too late for them? H. JOEL KELLY ROANOKE
by CNB