Jamieson out of it - again
I don't know why I keep reading Robert L. Jamieson's columns. It's like watching a train wreck, over and over.
His latest ("No room at Bush's table for area's poor and hungry", 2003-08-22) takes the cake. Homeless people bitching about President Bush.
A few of my favorite quotes.
"Your government needs to do more to help us," Robert, an out-of-work carpet cleaner, wants you to know.
Uh, Robert (the homeless guy, not the columnist)? It's your government. We the people, remember? The demand should be " My government should help me out." And my answer to that would be "No, it shouldn't - it should stay out of your way."
Wheels, who has been homeless for a year, has a message for you, Mr. President.
"Send me money," Wheels huffs, "or take (your) butt back to D.C."
Do I even need to write a retort? I will anyway. That's my money, in taxes, that you want. Better idea - make some money yourself.
"Bush needs to ease up," Poet says before retreating to his tent with the white sign out front -- "Poet's Corner."
"A lot of guys are dying for garbage -- for political ideology that is not their own," Poet says. "No 19-year-old kid should have to spill his blood in another land for something that could be settled diplomatically."
Ever tried to be diplomatic with terrorists? And last time I checked (before we bring up the "Iraq is a nation and not proven to be involved in terrorism"), the UN couldn't even get Iraq to follow its order diplomatically.
By the way, ever heard of an all-volunteer military?
"I want Bush to know there isn't enough low-income housing," says Jeff Roderick, who also lives in Tent City.
Mr. President, Jeff knows you have a less-than-stellar record for creating jobs -- one of the worst since the Great Depression.
Not the government's job to get you a house and a job, Mr. Roderick. Luckily, Mr. Roderick does go on to acknowledge that if one can ask for a dime, one can ask if one wants fries with one's order.
And finally, Mr. Jamieson's ending paragraphs.
Average people can't afford two thousand bucks to meet you for lunch and speak their mind.
But they can stick a fork in you come Election Day.
Right, they can. But to make a difference, they have to talk to me. And many other citizens out there. And convince all of us that their point of view makes sense.
It's easy to blame it all on one person. What would happen if you had to deal with my opinion? And those of the rest of the voting citizens?
Do you think we'd agree with your demands for jobs, housing, and diplomacy that better fits your view of the world?