By now, most of you have probably heard Republican Candidate Mitt Romney’s taped speech where he calls 47% of Americans “victims” since they need government assistance and how he doesn’t have to care about them. This has caused a lot of backlash, including within the Republican party. This also comes at the one year anniversary of the Occupy Movement.
While all movements in society take a while, these two things have made me realize that there is a change in discourse. I make use of every opportunity I have to bring the discussion back to poverty. This week, for instance, I stood and countered the government’s approach on crime by focusing that the root of most crime is poverty.
Additionally, the Medical Society of PEI recently unanimously supported a resolution to reinstate annual food costing on PEI, which affects the levels of income support Islanders receive. The Medical Society recognizes that poverty has direct impacts on our health care system.
Opinions such as the one Romney put forth should be, and I believe they are, a dying breed. I support and will continue to work towards meaningful action to eliminate poverty.
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