Compassionate Conservatism

I read a letter to the editor recently in the JS that bemoaned the President for his failure to address certain social issues in the budget. While I can certainly understand many of the writer's concerns, she and others need to keep in mind that many of these social problems are also a result of budget cuts within the state of Illinois (Budget). It is the state that slashes the money that goes to the schools, to Medicaid (with assistance from the federal government), and to aid those that are disabled. Politicians usually tell us what they are going to do, no matter what party line they espouse, but when it comes to crunch time, those that have the least say in our society are cut off from support. Our daughter, who is disabled and will require assistance for the rest of her life, is of primary concern for us. If we did not advocate for her, there would be no voice. What of the disabled when they become adults and are cared for by people other than their family members, do they have a say or do they get the proverbial scraps? It is easy to say that it is the President's fault. It is easy to say that it is the Governor's fault. What is not easy is to write your congressmen and senators and advocate for the homeless, the destitute, the disabled and the children all of whom usually either don't have a vote or are disenfranchised and do not vote. A letter to the editor is a nice start, but I suggest that you start a grass roots campaign and not only write, but have your friends write, to those that make the policies. Start somewhere, don't just lay blame to get it off your mind.