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| Political Cartoon about Homeless Veterans |
Studies from the National
Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness show that more than 3.5
million people experience homelessness each year, and 23% of these people are
military veterans. Phoenix, Arizona has reached an amazing achievement,
becoming the first city to reduce the number of chronically homeless veterans
living in the city to zero. A 56 year old veteran named Robert Stone fell into
alcoholism and a failing heart after serving at California naval bases for 3
years. He said “I’m coming up on nine months sober, and a big part of it is because
I have a roof over my head” (Santos). The government has made it a top priority
to get U.S. veterans off the streets by 2015. To read more about Phoenix’s plan click
here, and to read more about the government’s opinion on homeless veterans click
here.
You may ask why the government has made this a top priority.
Why not focus on the national debt or crime rates in major cities? The simple
answer is that the veterans deserve a better life than homelessness. They have
spent many years serving in the military, protecting and supporting the nation
from behind closed doors. People who have dedicated their lives to protect their "home" should not be "home"less.
After reading this article I thought about Jane Addams, the
creator of the Hull House. The Hull House
was the first homeless shelter built in Chicago, IL and considered one of the
most influential settlement houses in the nation. The idea of homeless shelters have passed down from 1889 to 2013. I find it ironic that the Hull House was directed toward immigrants coming into the U.S., but now, it is the defenders of our country who need this basic assistance.
How do you think Jane Addams would react to this turn of events? What does this issue of homelessness REALLY say about U.S.'s military spending and care for its citizens?
Hi Auds!
ReplyDeleteA very worthwhile topic to discuss. The stats you give are powerful and important.
However, when you state, "you may ask why the government has made this a top priority", I don't really think your readers will object, actually!
Here's what I think is MORE important for you to analyze: HOW is it that the government has made this a "top priority" in the words of the White House press release. I think you need to be more critical of these assertions by the President and others. Has there been money allocated to this problem from Congress? It's unclear.
Lastly, I was more interested in learning about the Phoenix program. It would be fascinating for you to analyze it and determine WHY it is not occurring EVERYWHERE in the USA if Americans really believe in the "Support Our Troops" slogan, no?