The economic crisis that started in 2008 has created considerable unresolved anger among those who see the world not only with the eyes of economists but also from the perspective of what is good for a fair society.
Those who created the crisis have generally been let off the hook with generous golden goodbyes so their businesses could be restructured by more prudent business leaders. In the meantime the rich continued to get richer and the poor became poorer.
The recent publication of statistics about the level of poverty in our country gave rise to another unproductive political debate on whether the numbers proved that poverty is increasing or decreasing. Very little action was announced on how to define poverty and what to do to help the poor.
Almost universally, political parties focus on the middle classes and do not realise that even this nebulous sector of our society may itself be affected by new forms of poverty. Social democratic and Christian democratic politicians in Europe have lost their moral compass. They are only interested in making sure that their nests are well feathered when they leave politics rather than fighting for the ideals of a fair society.
The effect of this is that many families are increasingly falling into the poverty trap as they lose faith in their own and their children’s future.
Poverty is one of the most pernicious problems facing Western societies. A vast underclass of low-income, immigrant, unemployed and other vulnerable groups is swelling and political leaders do not seem to care much. They absolve themselves by saying that the best way to deal with poverty is to promote social mobility by creating economic wealth.
This mantra is undoubtedly sensible, but it ignores painful realities including that for some people improved economic conditions never affect them because they are afflicted by everyday challenges thrown at them by life.
Many families are increasingly falling into the poverty trap as they lose faith in their own and their children’s future
Finding a job that pays a decent wage, finding shelter, and even food insecurity are a few of these drastic challenges.
Other challenges are mental illnesses, substance abuse and family breakdowns.
Our society needs a big dose of transparency and fair dealing with those who need a helping hand.
Political leaders should spend more time curbing abuse in the form of predatory lending by loan sharks and take positive action to help voluntary organisations that deal with the victims of usury.
This has to be linked with making gambling less glamorous for those who can least afford to indulge in such practices.
Affordable housing is associated with better health, improved childhood development, and educational achievement because it frees up the family budget for more nutritious food, access to medical care, and quality childcare. Moreover, it provides stability where family members, especially children, can thrive.
Yet we are facing a shortage of decent, affordable housing for those who most need it.
I am not promoting a return to the past where the State was expected to provide free housing for all. I am concerned about the State not lending a helping hand to the most vulnerable who through various misfortunes can ill afford to even rent a decent dwelling to put a roof on their own and their children’s heads.
Thousands of low-income families are also facing food insecurity. The access to food is a fundamental human right and the Church, government and voluntary organisations should come together to reduce this risk for those families facing food insecurity.
It is disturbing when teachers report that some pupils often go to school without having had a decent breakfast and return home with little chance of eating a healthy meal.
Sustainable economic growth is indeed a prerequisite to battle poverty. But much more needs to be done to cater for those who have little chance of benefitting from a bonanza of economic success.
Voluntary organisations are the only ones that seem to have a finger on the pulse of our society. The local Church has lost much of its firing power to combat poverty as its influence in society has diminished and it does not seem to be doing much to focus on the plight of the poor as Pope Francis himself is urging it to do.
Most of all, Christian democrat and social democrat parties should re-discover their roots to build a fairer society. Rather than aiming exclusively for the votes of the middle class they should aim to be remembered by posterity for dismantling the poverty trap.
johncassarwhite@yahoo.com