Inflation Hits the Poor Hardest

I realize how difficult it is to keep up with a blog each time a month slips by and I realize I haven't posted anything!

Today's entry is easy. We are all feeling the pinch of rising costs (it shouldn't cost $50 bucks to fill the gas tank of a HONDA!) but who feels it the most? You guessed it, those who can least afford an increase of bread, milk, and gas. What's worse, the price for these staples is going up faster than the price of items that we can cut back on like cars or restaurant meals. This article from the front page of the Washington Post a couple of weeks ago provides some excellent food for thought. This article was brought to my attention by the Community Action Partnership, our national Community Action presence. They are doing a great job of bringing the reality of poverty to our national leaders.

For those of you who have been following my school board exploits, you might wonder how I can feel good recommending a tax levy increase in Columbia despite the situation described above. First, I don't feel good about it. Ultimately though, education is one of the best ways to mitigate the effect of recession. A strong public education system provides an important draw to employers who are looking for qualified employees, prepares students for higher paying jobs and post-secondary education options, and increases the quality of life for everyone in the community. Supporting education is the right thing to do for our economy and everyone effected by the current economic climate.