Clinton, Obama need to focus on poverty
Updated: 05/09/08 6:33 AM
When John Edwards stepped aside from the race for the Democratic nomination, both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama promised to carry on his mission of dealing with the issue of poverty. While Clinton and Obama continue to talk about working-class issues, they have talked very little about the problems facing the most destitute in this country: those experiencing homelessness, those who cannot work.
This is not surprising. Those living in extreme poverty are not the largest voting bloc. They are often stigmatized and blamed for their own situation. The Edwards campaign was beginning a dialogue to develop a new awareness of the problem. Edwards pledged to establish a national goal of ending poverty by 2036 through such measures as transitional job programs, investment in deteriorating neighborhoods and increasing housing voucher access.
It is questionable whether the remaining Democratic candidates will fulfill their promises to carry forward this agenda. They are more concerned with mudslinging and campaigning than working toward bettering the country. These candidates are in a unique position to change the way our nation thinks about poverty. They must not waste this opportunity.
Amy Kaslovsky
Buffalo
