Reply #12: As private citizens, we need to reject the idea [View All]

[varelse]

that poverty results from the shortcomings and failings of the poor. We need to accept that poverty is built into our economic and social system, and that the responsibility for eliminating poverty belongs to all of us. Instead of advising others to "climb out" of poverty, leaving the less deserving people to rot in it, we should recognize the responsibility we all share to change the system which produces (and in fact, requires) it.

The first step toward eliminating poverty is to refuse to accept it as an inevitable element of modern life. From that point, it then becomes logical to choose, support, and vote for elected leaders with the same values.