October 18, 2003
$87 Billion For the Homeless?
by Fred H. Arm
Congress voted overwhelmingly on Friday in favor of President Bush's request for $87 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan, handing him a solid mandate for the continued occupation and reconstruction of Iraq. It would be an interesting thought to instead, see the money used to benefit the homeless in America.
Even in a booming economy, at least 2.3 million adults and children, or nearly 1 percent of the U.S. population, are likely to experience a spell of homelessness at least once during a year. (Urban Institute, Feb. 2000) Thus, if we gave every homeless man, woman and child that money, it would amount to $37,826.09 for each such person!
Basic economic theory teaches us that for each dollar injected into the economy, a huge multipler effect translates into an enormous increase in the gross national product. Imagine solving our economic problems and the homeless situation all in one swoop.
Sound too good to be true? It certainly is a provacative thought. What do you think?
Posted by fredarm at October 18, 2003 09:00 AMOh, I thought bush had a plan for the homeless. Give mroe money to the wealthyu and it will "trickle - down" to those hwo do not have money. I have no idea or proof that this works, come to think of it, Reagan tried it and the process was called voodoo economics!
Posted by: Kerry at October 27, 2003 02:56 PMIt is very sad about money going to help other countries when there is not enough to help the needy here.
And that photo of Bush is priceless. Makes him look a little dim and a bit cross-eyed.