How can we make politicians better understand the causes and ramifications of poverty?

Question

Are politicians so callous to poverty because they live at the expense of public expenditure in sprawling bungalows in posh localities? How can we make the representatives to be elected to the parliament and state assemblies and give a small quarter to live in slums without power, proper drinking water, muddy environs, lack of pucca roads?

Answer 1

Sadly my good man, the issue is of voting. Many representative types of governments have become so focused on gaining/losing votes that the issues are on such a back burner.

The only way to make politicans better understand the causes and ramifications is to find Campaign investors that dangle money infront of the politicians in return for involvement with an issue.

Other than that...organize your people. The voice of one can bring together the voice of many, and in elections the voice of many rules.

Answer 2

Well nice questions, and great replies too.Modern days no politician are coming from the poverty area, It is very bad . Since a poor man can understand other poor man wants. A rich man can understand too but we can't say , he was into that situation any time before .

So when any leader is elected as MLA/MP .. Govt should not provide any facilities to them and ask then to live with some less back ground ppl (place where no facilities will be available, as example ) where this leaders can know how hard the poverty. And lets Hope they can do much better

It is really shame on us in indian politics corruption is high ,Even we post this queries and get some feedback also ppl can be active for 1-2 days or may be a week or month , but problems will be like that only.So every one should do some thing for low class people u can go and spend 100/- or $20 with your GF in some cafe if possible try to give that money to some person who is hungry .Plz do that any time and ur feelings will be high when u done it .

So frnds "Dont look for someone,inspire yourself only indian leaders alteast 10% may be good , elect someone who know ur situations and can solve ur needs "

All people are great , only thing is how we use .

Proud to be Indian

Answer 3

In part, you're right. Anyone that doesn't have to live in poverty can't possibly understand it. The way to make them better understand is to have them live it. Not going to happen.

But I believe there's another issue. People are selfish. Here you have someone that says (with a straight face) "I'm successful and rich... why can't everyone be? Must be because they are lazy. And I'm not going to help lazy people."

Voters, not just politicians, don't want to give THEIR money to someone else, particularly when they believe that those in poverty are lazy. We often hear that those in poverty are that way (or stay that way) because they have so many kids. Or because they won't learn the language. Or because they spend any money give them on drugs.

I've even heard some well educated people say that there is no such thing as poverty. That those in poverty stay there because it's easier than getting a job. For real.

The answer to your question does not lie within the politicians, if you live in a Democratic country. It lies with the people. Voters tend to be people with money. And those that vote that don't have much, aren't willing to give their money to others.

Unless you can overcome the public sentiment, you're not going to win the politicians. If they knew that they'd get re-elected if only they'd give more money to the poor... they would.

Answer 4

Tough questions my friend. Sad fact is most politicians, Democrat or Republican are wealthy people. They don't live in poor neighborhods and their kids go to private schools. They tell you they are for the little guy but they don't have a clue. Washington is inundated with powerful lobbying groups bending their ears which directs funding and creates new laws. The bottom line is this: Its all about the power.

The only chance us little folks have is to:
1. Vote, Vote,Vote
2. Take a few minutes to write/call your Congressmen/Congresswoman and Senators when an issue really matters to you.
3. Then, watch how they vote and what they vote for. See if it matches all the political rhetoric during an election year.

Answer 5

1. Have direct elections to local bodies only. The representatives in local bodies should elect legislators to the state assembly and parliament.

2. There should be two rounds of election to the local body- first, general and then run-off between the first two candidates.

3. There should be provision to recall elected candidates if he fails to deliver on promises made during campaigning or he gets involved in any crimes.

Answer 6

What can you do?

1. Are YOU prepared to pay higher taxes, to fund public service initiatives to address those problems?

2. Are YOU prepared to pay higher costs and accept inferior quality for something (goods or services), by accepting a locally produced item over an item thats imported?

If you are, and the people/voters around you are, then the economy will be able to improve sufficiently to make that happen!

But that goes against the capitalist ideal...which supports democracy...

Answer 7

Start locally. Find someone who understands poverty or who is an advocate for poor people to run for mayor or for the County Board of Supervisors. Use the grassroots to support these candidates. When they wish to move on to the state legislature, be there to help them. Coordinate groups that work with poor people to do this. Provide venues for the candidate to speak, and, as you get higher up in government, use surrogate speakers to help bring the candidate's message to the people. The key to all of this is to get people registered to vote and to make sure they get to the polls AND to make sure their votes are counted.

Answer 8

the polatitions work for the spechal intrest groups they don't care about the little people just the big wigs that line there pockets and i sdupport this statement by saing that all other developed nations have universal health care where all citizins have access to helth care but the U.S. one of the most industrealized and advanced nations in the world dosn't have a 100% accessable health care i meanb how messed up is that. i am an up and coming pharmacy profesional so beleave me i know

Answer 9

They don't care in the least and laugh about it in their private offices and while voting themselves a $12,000 or more a year raise for the last 5 years. They think it is funny that their raise is more than the entire years pay for those at the poverty level.

Answer 10

the answer is stop voting.join hands and say know.bring down these guys on their knees and show them that the divide and rule wont work anymore.as a penalty imprison in a slum in straw hut house and with no light and fan.a mosquitoes will teach them