POVERTY
Sowell’s portrayal of the poor off the mark
As the leader of a nonprofit that has served Georgians in need for more than 100 years, I reject the characterizations of the poor in Thomas Sowell’s column (“America needs reality check on real poverty,” Opinion, Aug. 9). His exaggerations and misinformation are detrimental to efforts to help people break from cycles of poverty. No one hopes to be poor when he or she grows up.
Last year, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul helped more than 189,000 people in need. The extravagance and opulence Sowell talks about was not present in the homes our caseworkers visited. They observed fear, suffering and desperation.
Compassion for the poor is not “great political theater.” There is nothing theatrical about evicted family members, living in their car, eating only carrot soup made from one remaining carrot. This desperation is dramatic, not theatrical. Real people living in extremely difficult circumstances, in very tenuous economic times, are the reality we address daily in our 38 food pantries.
John A. Berry, CEO & Executive Director, Society of St. Vincent de Paul Atlanta
AFRICA
Amid debt, U.S. must not forget legacy of helping
The United Nations has declared a famine in parts of southern Somalia. The historic drought continues to fuel a growing crisis, which affects millions in the Horn of Africa who desperately need food, emergency agricultural assistance, clean water and basic sanitation.
The U.S. government has been a leader in providing humanitarian relief and financial support in the region during this crisis, so that countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya can take steps to prevent famine. Although chronic hunger persists in these countries, they have avoided famine, thanks to U.S.-supported programs such as Feed the Future.
Now is not the time to forget about the world’s poorest. As Congress debates cuts to drive down the deficit, we must not forget America’s legacy of helping the most marginalized populations, and we must protect long-term efforts to avoid crises such as the famine in Africa.
Nancy Barfield Bauer, Roswell
SOCIAL SECURITY
‘Entitlement’ a misnomer as everyone pays taxes
“General welfare is to be promoted, not provided” (Readers write, Opinion, Aug. 12) demonstrates a misunderstanding many people have regarding so-called “entitlements.” The word “entitlement” is a misnomer implying an attitude of someone being “entitled” to financial “gifts” from the government when he or she has made no contribution to such largesse. This is not true.
People contribute all their lives to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid through taxes. And yes, everyone pays taxes (even the poor) in the form of payroll tax and sales tax — even if taxpayers are not high wage earners or property owners. All pay into the system, and the government distributes money so that the poor, old and sickly can live in a decent way.
Historically, this has been viewed as being in the interest of the public good or, if you prefer, the “general welfare” of our nation.
Lynn Ehrlicher, Decatur
