A startling statement

In the process of dismissing appeals by low-income renters for greater housing security, he responded to claims that cost increases and federal cuts were making life extremely difficult for such renters by saying that he is a homeowner and that he struggles with rising costs, too. Is it possible that he does not see the difference? If his costs rise, does it put him in the position of having to take additional families into his home to meet his housing costs? Does it mean he has to turn to a food bank to feed his families or forgo medications his doctor has prescribed for him?

This comment on his part underscores the reality that so often our elected officials are too far away from the problem to understand the pain. If the members of Congress didn’t have generous health care insurance, would they be so insensitive to the outcry around rising insurance costs? We can only wish they had to walk a mile or two in the shoes of those who appeal to them in a state of earnest need.

Krista Hanson

Burlingame