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The politics of poverty

How can we sleep at night when all around us are vulnerable people going hungry? What kind of greedy people are we that would not wish to stop this madness of food shortage amidst food plenty? How can we approach Christmas with 'goodwill to all' whilst we give little goodwill to those who have born the brunt of cuts. Our greed, or at least the bankers greed, brought this about, and yet the government is busy stoking up the same uncontrolled, housing led boom that became unsustainable.

We need a social contract that says that people should not be forced to work for poverty wages. We need a living wage. We need education policies that give realistic opportuities to our children and young people to acquire the skills they need for skilled jobs. We need a housing strategy that provides decent homes for people at affordable rents. We need a decent transport system that enables hard working people to get to work without spending thousand in fares. We need a government that will be bold enough to off the country a real choice.

In this season of goodwill, let us not let our 'charity' be dictated by a silly song for band aid. Let not the poor be dependent on charity. Let it be a matter of political choice that people should not be poor in our country. When we come to the election next May I can guarantee that no party will put the poor at the heart of our economic policy. All parties will dance on the pin head of the 'squeazed middle'.  The poorest won't matter if you want to get the middle income voters. I am afraid the poor will go on relying on charity. Jingle bells and all that fun. Let them know its Christmas nonsense. Please Lord don't let me feel guilty about it all.

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