Homelessness and poverty must end in this country or we, the people who live here, will become the butt of an unfunny joke.
The migrants in the caravan coming to this country have cited poverty, growing violence and corruption in their countries as the main reasons they want to live in the United States. They want jobs and education to attain these goals.
People along the route often extend a hand to these immigrant hopefuls. They have given them food, shelter, medicine, legal representation, free rides along the road, and probably clothing.
If individuals can extend aid to others, certainly a country that represents itself as a democracy for “the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to be free … the homeless, tempest-tost [sic]” must reach out to its own. This country cannot and should not withdraw help for those already here.
Maybe we don’t have the democracy for which these people have journeyed hundreds or thousands of miles for. Homeless Americans often need counseling, housing, clothing, medical assistance, food, job training and education. We frequently have other problems that limit our ability to be successful. We need protection from violence and corruption; we should be able to count on it.
If there is not enough for the current migrants, too, they cannot come until those here receive the help they need.
