30,000

Each day somewhere around 30,000 people die of starvation or starvation related disease. In an attempt to fathom that number I made 30,000 tally marks. It took over 12 hours of writing to make the 30,000 marks. To think that that many people die everyday because they do not have enough food is awful. To make matters worse according to the UN all that is needed to stop that death is 7 billion dollars a year, or what citizens in the European Union collectively spend on Tobacco and Alcohol each year.

However, what I want to try and wrap my head around, is how the population of the Earth continues to grow so greatly when those that are already here can not be supported. Might it be better for someone to ensure that the babies that were born yesterday are able to survive before they go about making some of their own?

Making matters worse, the United States defense budget is 663.8 billion. Almost enough to end starvation for 10 years. We as tax payers should be up in arms about this. Even a 10% cut in the budget would provide greatly for these people. Just a little food for thought.

A City Divided

Last night I had the opportunity to see a city divided while attending a community meeting. The meeting focused on a way to keep open four local community centers. In the most recent election voters in Colorado Springs choose to not raise taxes. What that really turned out to be was a vote to close community centers, cut police forces, and gut public transportation. Although this was a city wide vote it would mostly greatly benefit the rich and greatly hurt the poor. The poor community was now left with less protection, no where safe for their children to go after school, and no way to get around. Meanwhile those with the money were left largely unaffected. After all, they own cars and drive to work, have nannies or daycare, and live in safe neighborhoods.

Although little was solved in the meeting what came to the light is that the voters of Colorado Springs really need a lesson in Social Justice. They had the opportunity to shelter the needy (the community center provides a safe place for children to go after school), continue to feed the elderly (the centers provide warm meals for seniors who can not otherwise afford one), and provide a safe place for an entire community (commodities are distributed to a community who could otherwise not afford to eat). They choose not too.

Colorado Springs, a supposed Christian city, decided to do nothing. What will happen when the kids of District 2 grow up? Who will now be responsible for crimes they commit? Who will help this community?

Justice for the poor last night was not present.