American Ribbons of Shame

One measure of how low America has sunk is that 49 million of its citizens lacked consistent access to adequate food during the Bush administration.

That's a staggering figure, one seemingly too large for even cold-hearted conservatives to sweep under the rug. But they're trying.

Where's the outrage?

Outlined in Household Food Security in the United States, 2008 (warning - pdf), the Food and Drug Administration report outlines the kind of issues we're dealing with here: Food scarcity for 7-8 months of the year, for several days each month.

Does anyone reading this even know what that would be like? Have you ever gone a day or so without knowing from where your next meal would come?

I haven't - not in my entire 48 years. And I've been through some lean times where packaged ramen noodles, generic mac and cheese, or spaghetti with watery tomato sauce was the repas du jour. But I always knew I had something in the pantry.

I don't understand how, with million dollar bonuses being handed out like Halloween candy and executives floating gently to earth while harnessed to exorbitant golden parachutes, we can sanction 49 million of our fellow villagers living in a constant state of sustenance anxiety.

When did we lose our humanity?

The America I'm observing thousands of people waiting in line for hours wherever an organization spins up a volunteer clinic to provide free medical and dental care. At one such clinic in New Orleans this month, four mortals were immediately taken to the hospital due to the severity of their conditions.

22% of Louisiana's population is not covered by medical insurance. That hasn't stopped Governor Bobby Jindal from attacking the health care reform bill passed by the US House or the pending Senate legislation. Nor has it kept Jindal from traveling out of Louisiana several times in the past week for fundraising purposes.

Keeping constituents from dying or raising cash for re-election? It appears Jindal has made his choice.

Little Rock, Arkansas held a clinic this week for 1300 uninsured citizens to receive free health screenings. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D) has opposed the public option offered by the House and Senate bills, and Republicans are lining up candidates to challenge her for re-election, certain to use her HCR vote as a wedge issue. Lincoln desperately wants to keep her job, and the vast majority of the state's 473,000 uninsured residents would be eligible for for federal assistance under the Senate proposal.

It seems like this should be a much simpler decision for Lincoln. She could help make a difference in the lives of nearly a half-million Arkansas residents. Or she could focus on remaining in the Senate - two positions which, believe it or not, are not necessarily in conflict.

The US unemployment rates stands at 10.2%. It was 4.4% in May 2007. The broader U-6 unemployment rate, including those who have stopped looking for work or who can't find a job, stands at 17.5%.

When it comes to wealth distribution, roughly 10% of the US population owns 71% of all US wealth. The top 1% controls nearly 38%, while the bottom 40% owns approximately 1%. The level of wealth inequality has almost doubled since 1975.

Does the 10% of the population with the most wealth have health insurance and a stable food supply? Probably so. As do members of Congress, state legislators, governors, lobbyists...

When did we lose our humanity? Evidence suggests the loss began accelerating in the mid-1970s.

Can we regain it?

I'm not confident. History demonstrates few instances where the haves accepted less so the have-nots might have some without legal mandate. One look around the teabagger circuit and Sarah Palin's book tour should provide insight into the support for wealth redistribution. As Matt Taibbi notes, Palin has done a masterful job of connecting with the "pissed-off, frightened, put-upon America."

If Bill and Melinda Gates can donate $3.35 billion, and Warren Buffet can spare $37 billion, there's no reason why the top 10% can't cough off a little dough to make sure everyone eats and no one dies due to poor or nonexistent medical care.

It's time for the "richest country in the world" to take care of their own.