August 28, 2008

A new Census Bureau report brought sobering news about the nation’s poor, indicating a rise in impoverished households from 11.3 percent in 2000 to 12.1 percent today. Median household incomes were down to $49,975 in 2007 (a year of economic expansion) from $50,557 in 2000 — which barely factors in the impact of the current declining economy and rising food and energy prices. In 2008 alone, food stamp applications already are up by 1.8 million over last year.

The presidential nominating conventions in Denver and St. Paul are occasions for pageantry and self-congratulation. No one likes to spoil a party. But the hoopla of politics shouldn’t be allowed to distract from the often grim business of governing. Amid the high fives and balloon drops, advocates for the nation’s poor and struggling are hoping to hear the parties’ comprehensive plans to fight poverty.

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs, a coalition of Jewish defense and advocacy groups, is calling on the parties to address the issue during the conventions. They’d also like Congress to pass and the president to sign an economic recovery package that includes temporary increases in Food Stamp benefits, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, and the federal Medicaid matching rate. JCPA’s efforts will include an interfaith poverty initiative, together with Catholic Charities USA, known as “Fighting Poverty with Faith: A Week of Action,” to take place Sept. 10-16.

“Some might try to spin this year’s report as an improvement; however, we must place these numbers in context,” said Rabbi Steve Gutow, the JCPA’s executive director. “This trend is without precedent and is further evidence that we cannot interpret today’s numbers to mean that poverty is improving or no longer an issue of concern in our country and across the world.

“Jewish scripture is clear in the Jewish community’s responsibility to aid those in need. We must act now.”

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