Big Ladies High Five to all of you!

[bobbolink]

Having been a political activist for so many years, I know how excited you all must be. When the surprising early results came in last night, one of my first thoughts was of all of you. What a change to be able to do a happy dance after an election, no? :)

Biden wasn't my candidate, but I fully expect that he will be a very fine Vice-President. And the pictures of the two families together are priceless!

All through the campaign, we've heard Obama say "with your help" "I can't do it alone." I know that most of you will continue your activism, and I have great respect for that.

So, one thing I must ask of you now..... while listening to the speeches, on top of the content of the whole campaign, I again felt completely left out, invisible and disconnected. The WHOLE focus is on the middle-class.... NOTHING about us poor and homeless folk.

I know that not only will there NOT be any focus on us, but that things will get worse. I'm already suffering enough, and I don't know how much more I can take, and there are so many thousands of others in my situation. SO.. I ask you PLEASE... be a voice for me and the thousands like me. Speak up about homeless and the need for low-income housing.

We are FORGOTTEN.

We are INVISIBLE.

We are Left OUT.

Without a lot of you speaking up, we will be in even worse shape.

When I say these things, so many "progressives" get defensive, and say that I just need to "trust", because, after all, Obama was poor. Yet, he hasn't taken on poverty in his campaign... how am I supposed to "trust" when everything else is mentioned?

Or, I'm told the silly "Well, he's better than McBush"... well, great. I die under McBush or I die under Obama. That's supposed to make me feel better?

Some of us are really feeling bad today, when the rest of you are celebrating, because we know we're alone and invisible.

I know a lot of you will either ignore me or yell at me. That's the program.

I hope a FEW of you can actually hear the pain I"m feeling, and reach out and talk about where it can go from here, with YOUR help.

Thank you for listening, and congrats on your happy day!

[maryf]

1. Here's one who's hearing you!

Hey bobbolink, we just have to keep pushing for the forgotten poor, and you are so brave and good to be speaking out for not just for yourself, but for all the poor! We can't keep turning a blind eye to those in need, and not just think we are helping with charity...we have to get those who represent us to be sure to represent all their constituents and change the system that keeps the poor in povertty! Thanks for your openness, its impressive! :yourock:

[bobbolink]

4. Thanks, Mary!

I wonder how many deaths it will take?

:cry:

[Muttocracy]

2. I worry about people losing their homes due to the foreclosures mess and job losses

If Obama has to focus on those issues I hope it will extend to broader issues of housing (not just homeowners). I hope having a stronger Democratic Congress will help too. Many housing programs in NY get state funding but the state budget is in free fall here due to low revenues from Wall St and NYC.

I was trying to buy a house last year and early this year. Long story, but I couldn't find something decent I could afford a reasonable distance from work, and needed to help my mom out so we're sharing an apt. I still get automatic emails from the Realtor I was working with. I just got one today with a house for $39,000 and I recognize it. It's in a town too far away, so I never went inside it, but I remember the story behind it. A woman who works at a local real estate firm as a receptionist or something was getting divorced last summer and the price on the house kept dropping, with threat of foreclosure. It was at $80 something last year, so I have a feeling it's a foreclosure or emergency sale or something. I hope the woman and her kids have a place to live :(

I don't know your situation, but if you're hurting financially, I'm extra impressed that you put in the time and energy for activism. :hug:

[bobbolink]

3. So the muddleclass is all you're interested in?

I begged for your support with this.

What would it take?

[Muttocracy]

5. I said broader issues of housing (not just homeowners). And mentioned job losses.

You came in with a chip on your shoulder and said so in your post so maybe it didn't matter what I would say, you're just ready to attack me because I was a Biden supporter. But hey, what would I know about homelessness, I only took in my mom who without me would be homeless.

I'll put you on ignore and then I won't upset you anymore.

[Eurobabe]

6. There is no reason that a person in the United States

should be poor or homeless. I left the US for greener pastures in 2006 and live in Europe. Everyday that I wake up, I am happy that EVERYONE here is INSURED, has a place to LIVE and there are tons of social services available. If that means taxes, well so be it. Society functions better.

I find it appalling, that in the USA, many people are so wealthy (and selfish) - meanwhile, people who survived Katrina are living on old sofas under freeway overpasses THREE years later.

America has a great deal of soul-seaching to do, hopefully Barack and Joe can bring about real change. That is my dream for our shattered country.

[AspenRose]

7. I am listening too

Before I became a stay at home mom I was in graduate school studying for a social work degree. I live in an area where there are many working poor and homeless. I especially have a heart for the children in these situations.

I don't have that degree yet, but when I do get it, I intend to work on policy. Until then I will be in the trenches, where the real work needs to be done.

Oh, and by the way: I have a cousin who was living in a car for several months. She also had mental health issues, which made it even harder to get her to accept our help. So I hear you. I do.

[CrispyQ]

8. The poor are invisible.

I'm sorry, I have no idea how to change this. I often think that the reason the poor are invisible to those of us who are not poor, is because we realize at some buried level in our consciousness that we want to ignore, that it could just as easily be us.