Repost from Facebook, but it's ok because I wrote it :D
A few months ago I saw a 60 Minutes interview with the senator who grew up in poverty and domestic violence, but continues to vote against public assistance even though he himself has benefited from it in the past. It made me angry. I'm so fed up with this neo-liberal, Republican "I came from nothing and pulled myself up so now nobody else in poverty can have assistance" crap.
Scott Brown, I'm talking to you. What you overcame is remarkable but it's time to pay it forward and use the privilege (yes, PRIVILEGE) you have to help people. How can you turn a blind eye, especially when you say you know what it's like to starve, to be abused, to watch your mother get beaten up? If you're not going to help why even hold office? BAH. If you had your way, a kid with your life story wouldn't have a chance. You say your mother was on welfare. Well you want to cut that; how's that kid gonna eat? You say high school basketball was your "salvation" and got you into a good college. If you cut education what's that kid gonna do? No food, no education... that's helpful.
Seriously. I'm so angry. You worked your ASS off and that's amazing, but there are other people working just as hard to get out of poverty who didn't catch the breaks you did, because of their gender, sexuality, race, or just plain circumstances. I mean, you payed for school with a modeling contract. That's a tad bit of luck isn't it? There are people in my classes at Cal who work just as hard for a fraction of the pay. It's time to use what you earned and what you were given to make the world a better place for EVERYONE, not just the wealthy. You wanna make the economy stronger? Cutting public assistance and education is not the best way to start. Try getting rid of some tax cuts. Or military spending. Even though you'll never read this, I'm calling you out. I feel bad for what you went through, but you're on TV claiming it made you stronger. Withholding help from people who need it isn't strength. And lending a hand isn't weakness.
Oh. And FYI. You may not have been class privileged but you were racially and sexually privileged. You see any women or people of color with that story? Nope. What you went through is terrible but it isn't unique. YOU have the power to vote for things that can help stop it. Either help out or shut up.
I agree. It is the duty of those who have the advantage to help those who don't through no fault of their own. Then, in theory, everybody has enough.
ReplyDeleteIt's either basic kindergarten logic, or socialism. Either way, I think it's the right way to be.
Also, I am excited to read this blog.