Boris I. California

How can there be hundreds of rich politicians but thousands of homeless people?

Homelessness is a very pivotal issue in this country and deserves to be addressed with scrupulous attention. There are around 319 million Americans, of which over 500,000 are homeless. This might elicit an apathetic response considering that it is less than .002% of the American population. However, this is over half a MILLION people, and they did not choose their circumstances. The American economy and standard of living simply is not good enough, and we need to implement social programs that will accommodate every individual as long as they work. with the government responsible for helping people find a job.

Dear Future President:

I would like to address the alarming rate of homelessness in this country. Statistics indicate that 500,000 of the 319 million Americans are homeless. However I have to disagree. From my personal experiences and what I have seen in a big city like San Diego, I believe that homelessness without a doubt must affect more than the estimated less than .002% of the U.S. population. I know because I was homeless myself, both in my youth, and at age 18. Because the federal government simply had me registered as a dependent to my guardians, who weren't even my guardians, I was not part of the homelessness census statistic. So how many unknown individuals, lost souls, and illegal immigrants who sought a "better life" are homeless, and what is the exact number? 

In downtown San Diego the lights of the city coming from millionaires' buildings allow for the viewer to count more homeless people than the stars, and that is unacceptable. I have seen homeless children walking around bone-thin while advertisements are posted up on billboards about how obesity is a problem. Obesity is someone's personal issue, hunger is a much more real problem.  I have been fortunate enough to have friends help provide me with places to live, but I have slept and shivered under a bridge myself. So when I hear homeless people ask me for a blanket,  I understand.

As president, I am asking you to please take initiative and provide social programs that help accommodate all children and working adults, including handicapped veterans who cannot work, but who have served this country.  Government-sponsored programs that provide jobs should be a priority, not intervening in foreign affairs.

Sincerely,

Boris Ivanisevic

The Preuss School UCSD

Block 6

AP English Lit & Comp, B Day

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