Food Insecurity in the U.S.A, Really?  

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning with a hint of fall in the cool air.  Bill Evans is playing On a Clear Day (you can see forever), and there’s fresh brewed French roast in my cup.  I’m in a contemplative mood and got to thinking about an article I read yesterday in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.  The title was, “US ‘Food Insecurity’ Hits Record Levels”.  The USDA defines this as, “…a household that did not have enough food at all times last year to sustain active, healthy lives for all family members…”  It said that a record 18 million U.S. Households, 700,000 more than in 2010 were ‘food insecure’.  That’s 15% of the total U.S. Households – 50 million people.  Of course, these rates were highest among households with children, those headed by single parents, and those black and Latino families. 

     I am surprised by these statistics, however I’m not shocked.  The ‘Great Recession’ has affected all of us however it has disproportionately affected the most vulnerable citizens amongst us.  I think it’s time for a bit of a ‘reality check’.  Most if not all of us know friends or family who have been or are unemployed or under-employed, however I don’t have any friends or family who are ‘food insecure’.  Although we do have some friends who have been foreclosed on, they simply moved into an apartment and still have plenty to eat.  How many of us have no medical insurance?  What happens when you have an accident or, God forbid, get diagnosed with a disease such as cancer or diabetes?  Will you be able to afford the care you need without bankrupting your family? Clearly there are many, many people who need help.

     I’m writing this today because I think that sometimes we need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.  With over 300 million people now in this country, everything seems more complicated and the issues and problems are overwhelming.  However, the United States is a large, complex country with a tremendously dynamic economy.  We need to take care of the most vulnerable people in our country; however we also need to do it responsibly, and sustainably.  I don’t know the answers here; I’m just learning to ask questions.  Yes, we have an election coming up and there are two very different approaches of how to lead our country and take care of its people.  My opinion is that I think there really isn’t that much difference between the two men running for president – all you need to do is look at how President Obama led the past four years, and how Governor Romney governed Massachusetts to see who and what they are. However there is a huge difference in their Vice Presidential running mates.  There is even a larger difference in the platforms and visions of the two parties.  

     The real issue is Congress.  More to the point, the real problem and biggest challenge is Congress.  This scares me the most.  I don't have hard data to back up this next statement, but it appears that most people in this country are either a little right of center, or left of center, however the 5 to 10% of the most extreme wings of both parties are making the decisions and they are not good for our country.  We need to tell them that this is not a game for them to ‘win’ at all cost.  It is not, ‘us against them’; we are not fighting the Civil War any longer (although someone needs to tell the Georgia Legislature this).  As a matter of fact, the Georgia Legislature redrew congressional districts to insure a ‘super republican majority’ which they now have and one party is making all the decisions and they are still unable to work together, and the decisions they are making are NOT serving the people of Georgia.  It's true that people are going to need help buying food, and this is only going to get worse due to the recent mid-western drought that decimated our corn crops.  We all need energy to run this country and we do have plenty right here at home.  The issue is can we harvest it safely, and take care of the water and air we all have to breathe.  We need to also invest in clean, renewable, alternative energy sources - it's not an either/or choice - it has to be both!  No one can be productive if they are sick or injured.  Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege.We need to have jobs that pay a living wage, and everyone should pay their fair share in taxes.  Stuff gets old and breaks down, so let's fix it and maintain it so all can safely use our infrastructure.    

     Our system of government only works when our leaders have the best interests of ALL the people in mind when they make decisions that affect us.  Our elected leaders serve at the ‘pleasure of the American people’ and are obligated to make decisions that honor, and care for all of us, not just some of us.  So let's all stand up together and make them work together for all of us!  This is a great country and I know we can do better. So lets all roll up our sleeves and get to work.