Fighting Poverty, Growing Business

THE WAR ON POVERTY began fifty yeas ago today, and we still haven't won it. We still haven't lost it either; not as long as we keep fighting. President Lyndon Johnso hated poverty because he had been born into it. He had been a powerful figure among his younger brothers and sisters, and he wanted to be a powerful president, wanted to be all things to all Americans. So, he gave the war mongers their war, and he gave the bleeding heart liberals his bleeding heart. When Jesus said "the poor will always be among you", fifty years of evidence would seem to indicate that what he said is true; but we don't have to accept poverty as some mysterious but irrevocable law of nature. One of the problems with the war on poverty might have been its timing. When Johnson gave his war on poverty speech, the coundty was still in shock and mourning over the loss of President Kennedy. Another problem with it is that it might've been, so far, more of a skirmish than a war. A war is an all out effort. Unemployment insurance and food stamps are great ideas, but, like our conservative brethren and sistern like to point out, vulnerable to abuse. What America needs is a steady storm of new small businesses! Let the government provide micro business loans to any person or group with a viable small business plan. And heres'a quick thought for anyone wanting a jump start on a small business; Colorado, marijuana. Let the economic growth begin!