LETTERS: DIALOGUE MAY 11 TO EXAMINE POVERTY

To the editor:

Behind one of the best economies in our country's history, there still lurks the specter of poverty. Poverty affects all of us, indirectly or directly, and has an important impact on our community and our nation.

In these generally prosperous times, much has been made of the successes of welfare reform in getting people into jobs and off the welfare rolls. There has been a dramatic drop in the number of people on welfare. Across the country, more than 50 percent of those previously receiving welfare benefits are no longer doing so. And the Census Bureau's latest report shows a decrease in the number of Americans living below the poverty level, which is currently $17,050 for a family of four.

But the numbers do not tell the whole story. The prosperity implied by the lower welfare and poverty numbers masks the reality that a significant segment of our society is not enjoying the benefits of our nation's wealth. In fact, there are disturbing signs that many of yesterday's welfare recipients are no better off, even if they have found work. They remain mired in poverty, working in substandard conditions for low pay and limited or no benefits.

There are 44 million Americans who do not have health insurance, and one million are being added to the number of uninsured each year. Of those who are uninsured, 10 million are children. Most of those without health insurance are workers or families or workers. Many of them are uninsured because they work in low-paying jobs that do not provide insurance, and they cannot afford to buy it themselves.

It is time for our country to look closely once again at the real meaning of poverty. Too often, those who know poverty best are the least involved in setting the public policies that affect the poor.

During National Community Action Month, Shawnee Development Council will be sponsoring a public forum, Dialogue 2000: Leading America to Community Action. All segments of our community including government, business and church leaders are invited. We need to find solutions to the problems of poverty and bring those solutions to the attention of those at the local, state and federal levels who can bring about the necessary changes in public policy to deal with the hidden face of poverty.

Our local dialogue will be 1:30 p.m. May 11 at the First Baptist Church, Seventh and Washington streets, in Vienna, Ill. The local dialogue will be followed by a state dialogue and then by a national dialogue in Washington, D.C., in June.

This dialogue will provide an opportunity to look at the economic and social forces that lead to poverty, the impact of poverty and actions that can result in meaningful and lasting solutions. Through these dialogues, we can focus attention and action on achieving one of the fundamental principles on which our country is based: self-sufficiency for most and assistance for those who cannot help themselves.

CHERYL VANDERFORD

Executive Director

Shawnee Development Council

Karnak, Ill.