'That's what they said'

by Joelle Fishman

This article was reprinted from the November 18, 1995 issue of the People's Weekly World. For subscription information see below. All rights reserved - may be used with PWW credits.

HARTFORD, Conn. - On Nov. 4 several hundred homeless and formerly homeless people gathered at the Central Baptist Church here for the Third Annual Homeless Congress.

Many stopped at the Connecticut Communist Party table with its sign reading, "Congress is voting budget cuts for welfare, Medicare and Medicaid. Tell President Clinton What You Think." We think our readers would be interested in what people said. (Oh yes -- 19 people joined the Communist Party.)

- "These cuts are going to hurt more families and those that suffer now will suffer more. Wear our shoes and see how they fit."

- "Please lead us to develop jobs for everyone and to provide for people unable to work."

- "Please make a personal commitment to training programs and jobs for those who are less fortunate. Don't let the Republicans take what little we have away!"

- "Don't deny us the right to live. If not for us adults at least give the children a chance."

- "Poor people built this country with our sweat! Don't forget us down in Washington. We need homes, not bombs. We need people, not bureaucrats. We need day care, not rhetoric! Please fight for us."

- "Keep coming with the cuts and we'll never get out of the streets and the prisons are too full. Consider humanity. God help us and the United States."

- "Your job is to lead -- to set an example. Sometimes the president must not succumb to public opinion which is often fed by propagandistic BS. Give me a break-- welfare is why the economy is in bad shape?!?!? Don't insult my intelligence, Newt."

- Have a backbone and stand up for what's right -- don't hurt poor children anymore ... My rent has tripled in the past five years and my AFDC check is going down!"

- "Wake up and smell the coffee not your golf club. Why don't you come and sleep in the poor communities overnight for a week and really live what the people are living. Many are called but few are chosen. Jesus loves you anyway."

- "Instead of making cuts, the budget should be expanded to assist more people, not hurt them. I hope you reconsider the bill and think about the welfare of our nation's people with more programs for jobs and opportunities."

- "Jobs and health care, not cuts and 'wealthfare.' Veto the cuts. Tax the rich."