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Dear Supporter,
This year's State of the Union address was only the second since 1948 by a Democratic president that did not mention poverty or the poor. And the President and Congress haven't promoted a bold jobs program.
Tell the President and Congress that poverty is climbing.
"When the banks had a national emergency, they bailed them out and they found $700 billion," said RootsAction-endorser Cornel West, during a nine-state Poverty Tour with Tavis Smiley. “When we go to war, we find $1.3 trillion. When the poor and working classes are living in a state of emergency, it's a matter of national security, especially the children. We have 21 percent of our precious children of all colors living in poverty. That's morally obscene in the richest country in the history of the world."
It's also illegal, say experts. They point out that the federal government is required by law to create jobs. The Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment Act, the Federal Reserve Act, and international law require it. A bill now in the House, H.R. 870, would fund job creation as required by Humphrey-Hawkins. If this is not passed, the President legally must instruct the Fed to fund job creation.
European nations have their own crises now, but not our level of poverty. Their example, as detailed in this new column written for RootsAction by Steven Hill, is glaring proof that we could do much better than we dare to even dream.
Tell the President and Congress to create jobs now.
Sincerely,
Aimee, David, Jeff, Sarah,
and the RootsAction team
P.S. Our small staff is supported by contributions from people like you; your donations are greatly appreciated. And, please forward this message to your friends.
Resources
Europe's Quiet Revolution
The Poverty Tour
Combating the War on the Poor: Cornel West and Tavis Smiley on Cross-Country "Poverty Tour"
Lost in the Debt Ceiling Debate: The Legal Duty to Create Jobs
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