Poverty Hitting Suburban Communities
I’m seeing a disheartening trend on the campaign trail. Amid all the political chatter, we may be losing focus on what’s most important. Crunching numbers and assessing strategies can be useful, but when the horse-race becomes the main focus we are missing the point completely.
The reality is that poverty is growing in the suburbs. Middle class families are struggling to make ends meet. Jobs are scarce. Demand on food shelves is increasing. Use of subsidized school lunches is increasing. The Star Tribune has drawn attention to just how hard the economic crisis is hitting suburban families. This is the reality that our friends and neighbors are facing.
Politics doesn’t matter to the mom whose dream is to go to the grocery store rather than the food shelf. Politics doesn’t matter to the patient putting off an operation she can’t afford. Politics doesn’t factor in for the guy who lost his job, then let his health insurance lapse in order to pay the rent. When our discussion drifts away from these realities, our words cease to matter.
Our neighbors are suffering, and Congressman Paulsen and the GOP are more concerned with blocking reform in Washington than offering solutions.
As your Congressman, I’ll fight for solutions like:
• Maintaining the safety net for those who’ve lost their jobs. We shouldn’t play politics with unemployment benefits and food stamps. We need to help people keep food on the table and shelter over their heads.
• A real jobs bill that puts people back to work. We have billions of dollars of repairs that need be made on our roads and bridges. We can invest in new infrastructure like broadband lines and a “smart” electrical grid. We know that we’ll create 18,000 jobs for every $1 billion we spend on public infrastructure. I’ll fight to make these investments, restart our economy and build a foundation for long-term growth.
• A comprehensive health care bill that keeps insurance companies honest with a public option. This will reduce insurance costs for businesses and create up to 3 million new jobs as the system takes on the millions of Americans who are currently uninsured.
This is the reality of our economic crisis, and too many people pretend like it’s not. But I will not stop speaking this truth until all Minnesotans can provide for their basic needs and take care of their families.
I will not waver in this commitment on the campaign trail or in Washington. I hope you’ll stand with me.
Sincerely,
Jim Meffert
