Do Americans really care about the homeless, the impoverished, or the elderly?
Most Christians profess familiarity with Biblical mandates to care for “widows and orphans” (James 1:27), “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” (Luke 14:13-14), “those in prison,” (Hebrews 13:3) and “the homeless” (Isaiah 58:7).
Many fulfill these obligations by donating to charities, volunteering at soup kitchens, or tithing regularly.
While these are worthy actions, the more difficult task is to organize against cuts and changes in social programs, especially those that negatively affect the most vulnerable populations—the elderly, low-income families, at-risk youth, the homeless, people of color, immigrants, and other marginalized groups.
On February 15, the National Park Service cleared Washington, DC’s largest park encampment for the homeless; many of those evicted said that they would set up camp in other parks or districts.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has faced a backlash for his solutions to homelessness, including, involuntarily hospitalizing homeless persons with mental illness.
Attacking entrenched issues such as homelessness requires more than short-term solutions. Effective public policies incorporate public and private investment, the support of religious and community leaders, input from law enforcement, and recommendations from advocacy organizations.
As a nation, however, do we really care enough to hold elected officials accountable for campaign promises to develop affordable housing, provide economic relief for the poor, raise the minimum wage, or to tackle homelessness (without arrests, involuntary hospital commitments, or harassment)?
Recently, the media has reported on proposed (and seemingly harsh) changes in benefits and programs that potentially will harm millions of Americans. For example, thirty-two states are set to cut food stamps in March and end “emergency allotments” granted at the start of the COVID pandemic.
Last week, Ellen Vollinger, SNAP director at the Food Research & Action Center, an anti-hunger advocacy group, told CBS News that a family of four could see their monthly benefit cut by about $328 a month and elderly Americans could see their SNAP payments drop from $281 to as little as $23 per month.
The cuts come at a time when Americans are paying higher food costs. The New York Times reports, “after climbing nearly 10 percent last year, food prices are expected to rise another 7 percent in 2023, according to the Department of Agriculture.”
Another economic threat (to those who can least afford it) is Republicans’ proposed elimination of the income tax in favor of a 30 percent tax on all sales (from food to homes). Obviously, those in upper income brackets can absorb, although, not necessarily like, the additional costs, however, the tax will burden many struggling Americans.
While elected officials cite lack of funding for social services and/or re-investing in communities, it is not uncommon for the richest Americans to benefit from government largesse in the form of tax incentives or laws or policies that protect their wealth. Arguments for fairness in taxation too often fall on deaf ears.
In the meantime, the patriot movement, the radical right, and right-wing media pit native-born against immigrant, whites against (“woke”) Black Americans, straights against LGBTQ+, and the privileged against the poor.
The result? In efforts to prevail over “others,” a divided populace often votes against its own interests.
For a nation that purports to uphold family values, provide economic opportunity, and promote social justice, we seem to fall short.
Perhaps we need a reminder of the biblical promise, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” (Proverbs 11:17)
© 2023 Wista Johnson (Reprint by permission only.)