okay so I was in the middle of a rather lengthy post on this and my Outlook Explorer shut down....I'm taking that as a sign to be brief!

abstract of my original post: prior to my getting to know John Edwards as a candidate and his platform on Two Americas (2004), the issue of poverty and the fight against it seemed so absolutely insurmountable. The disdain towards victims of poverty was obvious in the MSM. But, I considered it a fight that OTHER activists were taking on, although they had my sympathy 200%. AFTER seeing John and his passion and commitment, it seems like a fight that is surely monumental, but with so many of us in it together, we can change things. Also, I am taking it as my responsibility to be more involved than I was before.

So, I am so thankful for this site. While I still have my activism efforts focused on environmental causes, one of my life passions, I look forwarded to being a part of what ever comes out of this...(along with the johnedwardsmovementcontinues).

I thank the administrators for this blog, I thank John and Elizabeth for all their work, and I thank all of you in advance for I am sure I will learn from you.

Peace.

born to parents that were the products of the 50's. Women didn't work, and certainly didn't go to college. So when my parents divorced in the late sixties, my mother was not prepared or equipped to support four children on her own. She took a job at a local factory that would allow her to get us to school and be home for us after school, until we were old enough to fend for ourselves. Well, what can I say about my dad, a very wonderful man in many ways, except for financial. He died when I was a teen, a deadbeat dad owing years of support. We survived through the kindness of neighbors, (no help from the church thank you) and through the kindness of the local banker, as in those days the banker you got your mortgage through was a guy down the street who would listen and cut you a break, very different than now.

However, through education my siblings and I have been able to do quite well as adults but we do not forget what it was like to be hungry, or to sleep in our coats and gloves and hats because we couldn't afford heat (yes people do really do that), or to start working real jobs before we were even out of grade school. I waitressed at 12.

The world is a much tougher place now, and I fear that it is much more difficult for the impovershed to make it, as neighbors don't know each other, the internet has made everything so impersonal and because so many people are suffering financially, the resources just aren't there to help.

Can you help?

I hope we can do a dual focus on both National and Global poverty.

Karita Hummer
Edwards Democrat