Trying to Survive

No matter where I am at it seems like everyone is on edge about the current state of our economy. There is this tension that is covering everything like an invisible fog that is almost suffocating. People wonder if President Obama’s $787 billion stimulus package which is designed to help America’s failing economy will actually work. People are scared that they too may soon become one of the 3.6 million job loss casualties that have occurred in the last 13 months. People are losing their jobs and they are losing their homes.

But even in the midst of this economic crisis, people are still surviving.

For most people, however, they may have only felt a little pinch in their wallets. Maybe they have had to get rid of a car or two, downgrade from the 50” Plasma screen TV, or maybe they have had to stop eating out every night.

Yes they too have had to make “sacrifices” to “survive” in this economic crisis.

As bad as things are right now in our country right now there are people who have been “surviving” for a long time. And that is exactly what they are doing. Surviving. There are people in our country who are being overlooked every single day. They sleep on park benches using newspaper to stay warm in the winter. They stand on the freeway ramp exits with signs asking for just a little spare change. They dig through trashcans and dumpsters eating our leftovers.

They are the forgotten.

The untouchables.

Most people won’t even look at them, afraid that if they make eye contact with them they may have to make up an excuse as to why they can’t spare a little change.

The estimated population in the United States of America is about 304 million.
The estimated homeless population in a given year is about 3.4 million.
That accounts for about 1% of the United States population being homeless.

Of those homeless
40% are families with children.
55% have no health insurance.
23% are veterans.
25% have been physically or sexually abused.
38% have less than a High School diploma.
50% receive less than $300 a month as income.

These statistics are sad and frightening. It makes me wonder why our country has allowed this to happen. Why these people are overlooked every single day. Why is it that we, as a Nation, cannot help to provide for these people?

This got me thinking. There are an estimated 304 million people in the United States. About 3.4 million are homeless. So let’s say there are 300 million people in the U.S. who are not homeless. If each person donated just $19 a month which is $228 a year then this would provide each homeless person with over $20,000 a year. This money could be used for food, rent, clothing, health insurance, and education.

What I propose is this. There should be a Homeless Tax. Each working person would be taxed $19 a month. To help compensate for children or non working spouses, each working person would be taxed $19 a month per person within the household. By doing this we would be able to help these people get back on their feet, get an education, provide for themselves, and become a productive part of society.

Some may think this seems like a handout or question why should they have to support these people. My question is why not? I feel that this is a travesty that has been allowed to happen for far too long. It is time we stood up as a Nation and helped our fellow man. Jesus cared for the poor and called every Christian to care for the poor as well. If Jesus thought that this was an important issue then we should probably listen.

$19 a month per person.

I say Yes We Can.