Struggling 'Other Memphis' Skeptical of Candidates

[maddezmom]

Struggling 'Other Memphis' Skeptical of Candidates
Jobless Residents Dismiss Promises Of Help for Them
By Evelyn Nieves
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 9, 2004; Page A04


MEMPHIS -- Five minutes from Beale Street's neon blues clubs -- packed with tourists on a freezing, steel gray day -- stand blocks of old houses with plastic and duct tape over the windows and ruined sofas by the front doors.

~snip~

But if Edwards's passionate pleas for the poor and retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark's earnest promise to help the uninsured and working class are getting heard in the Other Memphis, it is hard to tell. Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) paid his first visit to Tennessee since April on Saturday morning and flew out of Nashville the same day. But the senator, riding a front-runner wave, is considered to have a strong chance to defeat Edwards and Clark, of neighboring Arkansas, in Tuesday's open primary (where 500,000 to 550,000 of Tennessee's 4.3 million registered voters are expected to turn out).

Kerry has support from two of Tennessee's most prominent Democrats, Rep. Harold E. Ford Jr. and former governor Ned McWhorter. But among residents of the Other America here, he was just another politician.

But so were Edwards and Clark. Visits to the Memphis unemployment office and the city's oldest soup kitchen found most people unimpressed or disbelieving of politicians' promises to help.

~snip~

lots more, worth a read not only for us, but the candidates.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23949-2004Feb8.html

[DuctapeFatwa]

1. A political solution is no longer a realistic possibility

Nor is it realistic to suppose that politicians or their affluent supporters would either realize this, or attempt to effect one.

No profit in it.

Yes, it would be in the long-term interests of both, but long-term interests are not a concern.

[maddezmom]

2. unfortunately, I agree with you

wonder how many folks even read the article. :(

[DuctapeFatwa]

3. Probably not many. If the poor figure in this election at all, it will be

candidates promising to give states more funds to "clean up" the increasing number of homeless.

States are short of money, and are having a hard time coming up with the extra police resources to get them locked up and keep them out of areas where businesses are.

[Jerseycoa]

4. Our country is in so much trouble

I could :cry: