ecarroll

TMers,

I spent the better part of the day yesterday delivering groceries for Christmas dinner (turkey, fixings, veggies, other staples) to destitute Vermonters, mostly single mothers with multiple children. The program is called Red Stocking and is a locally run and operated non-profit organization.

I was shocked and appalled by the conditions many of our fellow citizens live in -- run down trailers, often with leaks in the roof and with little or no heat. I saw families in bed together under a common blanket trying to stay warm. Many were wary when I appeared at their door, fearing eviction. To where, a snow bank?

Those of you that were TM members more than 9 months ago know that I stay out of all political discourse here (and will continue to do so), but let me say this one time that I can't imagine why these conditions are allowed to exist in a country that has so much. . .

Now we will resume our regular programming,
EC

oldlou

Thank you for your generous use of your valuable time. I am fortunate to have never been subjected to the abysmal living conditions that you saw and described, but, as a nurse I came into contact with and saw the same things that you did. I also saw many who could have gotten themselves out of such a horrible condition, simply refuse to help themselves. Here in Grand Rapids, we had a front page pictorial in our local newspaper displaying a mother, her boyfriend, and their several young children all sleeping on one mattress on the floor. The story line was intended to solicit help for her and her children, claiming that 'she' couldn't find a steady job. The published photo showed both adults smoking major brand cigarettes and the statement was made that he was also unemployed. At that time, I was in need of a janitor in my truck repair garage. I offered him the job and he said that he would not lower himself to a job pushing a broom. My feeling of charity immediately disolved.


OLDLOU>>

__________________
Couturier trumpet
York Master Model trumpet
York Elite trumpet
York Airflow cornet
King super 20 Master Model cornet
King Liberty trumpet
Reynolds Professional cornet
Bohm & Meinl professional trumpet
Besson 10-10 trumpet with Holton M.F. bell
Olds Special cornet Los Angeles
B&H Sovereign cornet
G.R.Band Instr. cornet
Getzen Super Deluxe trumpet and cornet
Getzen Deluxe trumpet and cornet
Many others no room to list

lmf

It is a matter of appropriation. Spending on war is more important than domestic spending. The political parties are too busy with their own agendas to take care of the poor and declining middle class. Many people assumed to be "middle class" are "marginal" at best. I would ask each of you no matter which class you belong: Do you perceive yourself financially stronger than you were four years ago?
Are your expenses to maintain your lifestyle higher or lower than they were even a year ago? How are is your savings, investments, and disposable income growing, declining or holding? Is Washington helping, hindering or do you perceive the politicians couldn't care less?

Best wishes!

Lloyd

Vulgano Brother

I'm presently working at the Seattle's Union Gospel Mission's Women and Children's Shelter, and the common denominator here and at the Men's Shelter is hoplessness. Hoplessnes is a learned condition. If we teach a dog to push a button to avoid an electric shock and then start shocking it anyway, they will learn hopelessness, and just sit there. Apathy pure. Likewise if we give a cat a puff of air on the nose (they hate that) when they feed we can make them neurotic. Given a choice, they'll start drinking booze in order to cope.

Living under hopless conditions conditions us to hopelessness.

Bringing hope into people's lives by offering food and blankets is a great first step, especially from individuals; the long term solution, however, involves more than things--it requires a change in attitude, a personal re-definition of what our comfort zone is.

If we know, if we believe deep in our hearts, that we can better our condition, it will happen--this is as true for trumpeters as it is for tramps.

Thanks Ed, thanks all, for the donation not just of things and money, but for caring, and taking the time to bring hope into folk's lives!

__________________
www.letsbuildhope.org

Jude

They are allowed to exist in the richest country the world has ever known because they are useful to the have-mosts - they serve as a horrible example of what may happen to those who object too strongly to the labor conditions at the bottom of the ladder.

rowuk

AS with many things that we discuss at TM, we can take the simple route and find SOME ONE or THING to blame, or we can try and get the whole picture, at the risk of becoming deeply involved.
When people fall off of the edge of society, they generally do it alone and that is the first problem. The support that we get inside our church community or other social activity is in many instances more "select" than we can imagine. False values or pride lead to an unwillingness to ask for help until it is too late. The very business of modern society has made many of us blind to the NEEDS of those around us.
The answer of course is not government regulation or even charity, those are merely bandaids to ease the pain. The solution is personal involvement. Those that do not, can not partake of our "normal" life need to be touched one by one to start the journey back. Not all will make it and no legislation could ever make hopelessness a crime.
On this holiest of holidays, we need to, like Ed, look for ways that we can touch the lives of those less fortunate. The road to happiness starts with US. As Dr. Laura would say: "now go out and do the right thing!"

__________________
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.