The independent., November 21, 2002, Page 2, Image 2

Page 2
The INDEPENDENT, Novem ber 7, 2002
Hunger in a nation
of obscene wealth
America is the wealthiest nation in the world, as the
president keeps reminding us, but more Americans are
hungry, more Americans are homeless and more
Americans lack medical care than at any time since the
great depression of the 1930s.
In Vernonia, a town small enough to see the faces of
the needy, Vernonia Cares, the emergency food cup­
board, served 248 people during October— more than
10 percent of the city’s population, or about five per­
cent of the population within the school district.
The town looks good because of tremendous efforts
by city government and volunteers to capitalize on
grant funds whenever possible, but that doesn’t help
people whose unemployment benefits have ended or
senior citizens whose Social Security will increase
about 1.4 percent while prescription medicines in­
crease another 12 percent (or more). The help they
need will have to come from the rest of us, because the
focus of both federal and state governments is protec­
tion of the greedy, not help for the needy.
Fortunately, the small population that allows us to
see who is in need, also allows us to help in ways that
don’t require huge amounts of money.
Food donations will help Vernonia Cares get through
the holiday season, except for cash needed to buy
fresh meats and produce. Even small cash donations
go a long way because of the links between city, coun­
ty and state food banks that provide food purchases at
greatly reduced rates.
If you are concerned about “undeserving” people
abusing the services of Vernonia Cares, consider this:
An individual can be provided with a three-day supply
of food only twice a month and the people mentioned
above are 248 individuals of all ages, not 124 free­
loaders.
You don’t have to be wealthy to give five dollars to
Vernonia Cares. If you can give more, please do, but
all donations will be carefully used and greatly appreci­
ated. If you live in another community, please make a
donation to the food bank in your area.
As individuals, we may not be able to do much about
homelessness, but we can help feed the hungry. To do
nothing, would mean turning our backs on our neigh­
bors. We need more kindness, not less.
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Letters to the Editor
Libertarian thankful
for the experience
To the Editor:
Now that the election is over
and I have had several days to
calm down from all the excite­
ment, I have a chance to re­
flect. I have gained some valu­
able experiences, learned to
appreciate just how much work
and effort goes into a cam­
paign, met a lot of wonderful
people, and enjoyed it all. If I
have one regret it is that I
should have started much earli­
er! I would have liked to talk to
a lot more folks and make them
acquainted with the Libertarian
approach to government.
Those I did m anage to
speak with seemed to like what
I had to say. In fact, enough
people liked my message to
give me a five percent share of
the votes cast. I consider that
quite a win for a third party, un­
known candidate, and I would
like to thank all those who
helped me to get the five per­
cent: THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Of course, my heartfelt thanks
go to all of those who encour­
aged me to run and cheered
me along the way. They all
share in my five percent.
There is more than one way
to win, and I won by having
been part of a new movement
in the political arena, and by
having been able to show that
there is more than the “busi-
ness-as-usual” way of looking
at a problem. There is also
more than one way of looking
for solutions. The Libertarians
will be part of the process from
here on.
Thank you all again for vot­
ing for me, for your confidence,
and for your belief in me.
Helen McDaniel
Astoria
A great visitor, and a
fireworks bake sale
To the Editor:
I would like to share a won­
derful story with you. I got a call
a couple of weeks ago from a
man who was in City Hall here
in Vernonia. He asked if this
was the number to contact Ver­
nonia Pride and I said that it
was. He proceeded to ask if he
could help Vernonia Pride. He
was just bored and wanted to
help the town because he has
noticed over the years how
much nicer our town has
looked. Apparently he is what I
call a “snow bird," you know,
one of those motor home trav­
elers. He and his wife come to
Vernonia every year for a cou­
ple of months before heading
down to Arizona. He was just
waiting for the Thanksgiving
holiday so he could spend time
with his daughter before going
to Arizona.
Well, needless to say, Ver­
nonia Pride put him to work. I
must say he made my day
when he called me. I was so
excited that someone like him
thought to help us when he
does not even live here. He is
probably gone by now, but I
want to extend a big “thank
you” to John Tye. It takes peo­
ple like John to make this town
a better place to live. Thanks to
all who help Vernonia Pride
and all who volunteer their
time, materials and money to
make this a better town.
Just a reminder, too, of the
bake sale Vernonia Pride will
be having on Saturday, Nov.
23, at Sentry Market from 10
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is to sup­
port our fireworks fund which
was short by $400 this last
year.
Donna Webb
Vernonia Pride