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Saturday, October 22, 2011

This season, it's raining hunger everywhere.


Pines, oaks, and assorted grasses and vines cover the grounds of public places here in Oregon. It is the end of the dry season. Soon, everyone will don their rain gear, and trek through these paths more cautiously,  with sturdy shoes instead of tennis shoes, with many layers and gloves and extra socks.
Many will attempt to make a living by foraging here in the woods, looking for mushrooms that will bring in good money.
Many will camp out here and there, out of the wind and the rain and the cold, hoping soon to find a job that can help them get out of the rain.

We have colonized the entire Earth, every latitude and longitude, by land and by sea. We have adapted the topography to fit our needs. We have moved earth, damned rivers and opened up channels to keep things flowing the way we want.We have reshaped the nature of matter, bent physical laws of the Universe. We invent ways to work less, and ways to experience more.

Our knees and hips and cornea can be replaced. Our hair and skin and body fat can be tempered.At the doctor's office our chemistry is analyzed and problems are identified. With a few pills and injections,  we can all live past our anticipated calendar years. We live in the richest country in the world.

So, what's our biggest issue?
Too many are jobless, with no resources.
Too many are losing their homes.
We have never seen so many hungry people line up at food pantries!


   

29 comments:

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

So tragic and so true, Rosaria! While politicians bicker and campaign, the despair and hunger grows. It's a terrible situation.

Joani said...

If only the politicians would give half of what they get for their so-called campaigns to the kitchens that feed the hungry & give food to families. America could be next on uprising for the disdain of these greedy politicians. Just look at wall street & the other places in the USA. I probably won't be alive to see it but it will happen.

Tom said...

Interesting dichotomy. I wonder why it is. Let's look at the glass-half-full perspective for a minute.

We also have many elderly, many sick, many handicapped, many uneducated or mentally challenged people in our country, many depressed or chemically addicted. A hundred years ago, most of these people would be dead. Literally. Now we are struggling to take care of them. Sure, it's a struggle. But it's a struggle to make things better, not worse, isn't it?

That being said, I like the idea of a politician tax. If we could institute a millionaire's tax and a politician's tax, we might make more progress.

Unknown said...

So true, Rosaria!

Brian Miller said...

what a crazy world we live in...we have the resources and capabilities but what do we lack? the heart.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Yes it does seem ironic that we have (so-called) soved many problems yet basic things like food, clothing, shelter and jobs are vastly in short supply. Personally I doubt whether mankind is capable of dealing with the big issues - he is far too selfish. There are huge injustices here in Europe as well - it is a global illness!! Here the innocent law abiding and hard working citizen is 'clobbered' in terme of high taxes, fewer job opportunities and fewer chances to better themselves whist the lazy scroungers who have not done a decent day's work in their lives are often given large hand-outs. None of it makes sense to me, and millions. And we have recentyly given those greedy Greeks, living well beyond their means, yet another £1.7bn while cutting disability grants to the genuine needy here at home.

Great to 'pop' over to see you again, Rosaria ~ Eddie

JeannetteLS said...

I am not sure that the majority of Americans recognize that these growing numbers of the hungry, the homeless, the unhealthy are because of decisions our government has made in the last decades. I am not sure that there are not far too many people who blame the jobless for not working, the unhealthy for being unwise, and the homeless for being irresponsible.

I hear and see it too often. You would think that people would be more understanding. Never mind. Good post.It IS worldwide. It is terrifying. And it just hurts my heart at how little those in charge really seem to care.

Helga said...

Greed is running rampant to a degree among all; we want more and more of everything. If there are takers, there have to be givers. The hardworking, content ones are paying their taxes and dues quietly, because that is what decent people do. The self-righteous bigshots find ways out of contributing their share. Look at the greed and grandiosity of Wall Street, big corporations, religious institutions, non-profit organizations, movie stars, football and basketball players, etc. Who, for crying out loud, deserves to earn wages and incentives of several million dollars? How many houses, cars, how much jewelry, clothing and stuff does anyone need? Why does giving up a part of their wealth seem to be the hardest for the wealthiest? How material have we turned? We live in the land of plenty, and so many have been pushed into the indignity of poverty. Sad, it’s sad.

dianefaith said...

You're seeing the homeless and unemployed. So many of us don't see them at all. They're not in our restaurants, our high-end grocery stores, and the places where we shop, and they're not even in our churches. We can't empathize because we don't -- or won't -- see. They're "other," and it's easy to place blame there.

Bricky said...

It seems that Americans almost universally believe they live in the richest country in the world. Although I've never been there, I question such belief, and ask "by what measure".
In my little corner of the world there are those who are in need of help with achieving any degree of comfort, but few who lack the basic essentials of life. There is help available for those in need and although it couldn't be claimed that everything in the garden is rosy for everyone, I think those at the bottom of the pile are better off than their counterparts in the US of A, if the picture painted in these comments is accurate. So, I would say that by the most important measure, I live in a richer country than you do, Rosaria.
Incidentally, was the "damning" of rivers a Freudian slip?

Anonymous said...

I live in clark county washington one of the prettiest places on earth, but not so much if one is hungry and homeless..I help out at a food place, the people who are coming in work each and everyday, they pay bills, take their kids to school, but they don't eat..only enough for their kids, one cannot work 60 hour weeks with only a peanut butter sandwich..I love to bake, roast, cook, make cakes, pies, and veggie delights, it is an honor to help those who cannot get enough food after they pay their bills to live which with $4.00 a gallon of gas and soaring food prices doesn't allow much in the way of nutrtion for their tiny ones, wife and themselves. shameful in the greatest country many suffer food hunger when most politicians could stand to lose a lot of weight and also they live like kings and queens, many politicians compared to the working and the poor..it is a sad sad fact...something must be done right here in the USA...I only volunteer for food programs in this country..oh, my goodness..just saying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pseudo said...

There was a special on here the other night. How Hawaii only produces 11% of its own food.

Sigh. I want to retire and farm.

Rob-bear said...

America is a first world country, with a lot of people living in third-world conditions.
Same as Canada.
Anyone surprised?

rjerdee said...

You said it, Rosaria!! Here in Florida we who still have homes are struggling to find ways to help those without...ways to help them pull themselves up by the bootstraps in spite of all the legalities...the most recent hit was when those who were allowed by police to camp at Pirate's Cove were told to get out because they were a health hazard...something about no toilets and showers provided in the campground. They're not allowed on beaches, benches, in city parks...anywhere. It's absolutely frustrating as we try to help them help themselves. Our church runs a food pantry and a coffee house where we can listen to their stories and work out ways to ease things...so irritating to watch all the political crap that goes along with this sad state of affairs.

Donna said...

So many problems, so few answers! You are right, Rosaria and it's wonderful that those like you tackle these topics. Now if only you'd run for President?

potsoc said...

"If only you'd run for president", wrote Donna. Dear Rosaria, you would be shut donw by Tea Partyers and no financing would come your way to pay for your campaign, you would be tagged as a socialist or a commie, considered dangerous for the country, tar and feathered and ran out to socialist Canada. We would proudly accept you as a political refugee...or maybe not, I forget that we now have a far right government for the next three years.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Rosaria .. life is not easy for anyone or anything at the moment - the seasons are haywire, economies are collapsing around us .. and if we don't share or care I'm not sure where we're heading ..

Great post and comments .. cheers Hilary

An English Shepherd said...

Many have to much and many have to little...

Maggie May said...

It all depends on where you're born. Some have too much and waste so much while others don't have anything near enough.
Surely there must be enough to go round if we shared more?
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Grandmother Mary said...

With all that we have it is still true that we must care for one another to stave off disaster.

yaya said...

I just had an experience today that brought all that home. Our Church received a call from a single Mom in dire straights looking for help. I went out and got groceries to help but I kept thinking, "is this just our finger in the dike"? What happens next week to this family?

Lisa said...

It sounds scary. I hope things get turn around soon.

NitWit1 said...

I live in a rural area and see a lot of what you mention. Our food local food pantry is open only one day for 4 hours. The shelves are empty every week.

I plan to re-read A Tale of Two Cities. I think we are headed to a modern, but similar disaster.

karen said...

Hi Rosaria. Very well said. Interesting posts and comments. Helga's comment mentions many of my own thoughts...

Cheryl Cato said...

I think Brian put it in perspective. I hear of many "haves" complaining about the "have-nots"; sometimes I wish these "haves" would go on a rant in front of me. I don't exactly know what I'd say but in the mix would be "shame on you".

Jocie's Mom said...

I wish more people would think the way you do! People might actually do some good!

Marja said...

It's sad isn't it. I think in my parents time people didn't have much money and no luxeries but they had a job and they were happy So much has changed

Rob-bear said...

Footnote: We at Occupy Saskatoon have somehow been "adopted" buy an number of homeless people. We really hadn't thought that possibility through when we set up camp.
Anyway, they eat with us, and sleep in our tents. (We have lots of food and tents.) Some get involved in our General Assemblies; some hang back.
I hadn't really thought about feeding and housing the homeless and poor when I started out on this adventure. But if we're talking about building a more human and humane country, I guess we have an opportunity here to do something about what we're saying.
And somehow, it all seems just so natural. Everything fits togrther, including the people.
Strange.
And not so strange.

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very true said but it could be terrible also.