Western European nations care for their citizens in need — free medicine, food and shelter, etc. The U.S. does not! See comments below.

Presumably the fall election will give Republicans (Tea Partiers) sufficient votes to veto any assistance to the desperate Americans who are losing homes, facing cutbacks in food stamps and food. Studies in the past have indicated that private charities can care for about 1/10 of those in need.

The Republicans are bent on reducing taxes — budget freezes, etc.  What we can expect to see is an increase in crimes, murders, and suicides by the desperate ones. Women and children will suffer most. Already the Soundvision excerpt below shows 1/10+ of us living below the poverty line, i.e. hungry and homeless. I will not be surprised to see these figures double as our middle income lose jobs and the super wealthy hide their ill-gotten gains in Swiss banks and themselves in vacation homes far away from an increasingly desperate and dangerous U.S.

Only in America — how shameful!

************************************

How a New Jobless Era Will Transform America

The Great Recession may be over, but this era of high joblessness is probably just beginning. Before it ends, it will likely change the life course and character of a generation of young adults. It will leave an indelible imprint on many blue-collar men. It could cripple marriage as an institution in many communities. It may already be plunging many inner cities into a despair not seen for decades. Ultimately, it is likely to warp our politics, our culture, and the character of our society for years to come.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/03/how-a-new-jobless-era-will-transform-america/7919/

Statistics on poverty &
food wastage in America
By Samana Siddiqi

Poverty in America? One of the richest countries in the world?

Yes, poverty is a reality in America, just as it is for millions of other human beings on the planet. According to the US Census Bureau, 35.9 million people live below the poverty line in America, including 12.9 million children.

http://www.soundvision.com/Info/poor/statistics.asp
–
“A war is just if there is no alternative, and the resort to arms is legitimate if they represent your last hope.” (Livy cited by Machiavelli)
–
Ed Kent [blind copies]