November 16, 2009 09:12 PM UTC

America! Thanksgiving 2009

• 6 Comments
• by: JO

“The number of Americans who lack dependable access to adequate food shot up last year to 49 million [one person in six–jo], the largest number since the government has been keeping track, according to a government report released Monday that shows particularly steep increases in food scarcity among families with children.”

Facts, not opinion, 10 days before the Thanksgiving feast. More at http://www.washingtonpost.com/… and at http://www.washingtonpost.com/…

Coming on top of United Nations criticism of U.S. for ignoring needs of the homeless. http://www.guardian.co.uk/worl…

Alongside news from financial sector’s bonus season: “Wall Street Bonuses Rise as Big 3 May Pay $30 Billion.” http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/…

Can this be sustained? Are you willing to remain idle, maintain radio silence, when children lack food while financiers are paid millions if not billions for creating … what? Derivatives? Finesse in trading? Is this the America we know and want to continue? Can you imagine a time when we are a recipient of UNICEF aid, instead of the biggest contributor? Are we able to change anything, anything at all, via elective politics? Does this offend the “conscience” of elected representatives focused on the deficit?

Morgan Carroll earlier mentioned “government of the people.” Is this what we’ve become? A people who allow children to go hungry, to live on the street? Or is government today no longer “of the people, by the people, and for the people?” And if government has lost its role of protecting the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness–not, mind you, “property” much less $illion bonuses–and instead become embroiled by wrangling over details in 1,100-page bills that mask the reality of daily life, what is to be done?