Friends Agree – Let’s End Poverty!
May 23, 2007
My friend Brent McDougal, Coordinator for Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, had an opinion column published Sunday in The Birmingham News. Revealing his sharp intellect, he begins by quoting Martin Luther King, Jr. (You can’t do better than that!) Brent writes about King’s lack of interest in waiting patiently for justice in matters of equal rights, and that we would all do well to adopt that same kind of impatience when it comes to ending poverty.
Brent notes that the Alabama CBF, in a recent meeting, adopted a resolution in support of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, targets for reducing worldwide poverty. (Check ‘em out here.)
But he goes one step further, suggesting something that really stirs my imagination – the creation of Alabama Development Goals. He writes, “What would happen to our state if we could develop the political and social will to eradicate poverty in the next 25 years?”
Oh, now there’s an idea! What would it look like to use the MDG’s as a model for addressing the most pressing needs for low-wealth people in our state?
Taxes Are On the List, Right?
Kimble Forrister recently spoke to the League of Women Voters of Alabama about the new Knight Tax Reform Plan. (The plan originated with Alabama Arise, the group Kimble heads up.) Take a look at this article, and note especially what Kimble said about eliminating the state income tax deduction for federal income taxes.
Even though many of us benefit from this deduction, it’s really not much help. Most of us would more than make up for it by eliminating the tax on groceries, also part of the plan.
But elimination of this deduction could be a hard sell if it is misunderstood. So be sure you understand it yourself, and then be part of the tax reform sales force with your friends.
Lewis Gets the “Interview with a Director” Treatment
Here’s a blog from my friend Danny that features an interview with Lewis Lehe, the student whose film, “It’s a Thick Book,” recently premiered around the state. This funny, informative movie reviews the challenges that our bloated state constitution gives us as we live out our public lives together.
I for one enjoy this kind of “behind the scenes” look at a film’s creator. This one is no different.
And go here to get the latest on when and where the movie is being shown, and also how you can get a copy for yourself.
Business Week and Subprimes
The magazine Business Week just had a cover story about subprime loans. Read “The Poverty Business,” a pretty good overview of the industry that has sprung up, offering high-interest loans to low-wealth folks.
(205) 939-1408