When President Bush took the oath of office in 2001, Democrats across
the nation knew that the Bush economic policies that were about to take
affect would hurt the poor.  After all, we saw it with Reagan in the
80s.  Seven years later, things have gotten bad...I mean really really
bad.

How bad you say?

First, we all know that the amount of uninsured has actually increased since Bush took office. We also know that real wages have not been growing. The tax cuts have not "trickled down" to anyone (only on).  We all knew this was going to happen, but I never thought I would read the headlines that have appeared throughout the nation on the eve of Christmas.

Things have gotten so bad that food pantries and soup kitchens have had to turn people away.Because of seven years of policies that have completely ignored the poor, food pantries cannot keep up with the increasing demand (Translation: There are more people in the United States who cannot afford their own food).

And if you don't think Bush knows this is going on, read this interaction with an impoverished senior he had in early October. It is good to know at least the President is sleeping easy tonight.

If you can, donate to the state Second Harvest organization. I am going to donate a portion of my Christmas money to this association, and I challenge others to do it as well.  We are at a turning point in this nation.  Americans should not be turned away from food pantries.  Since our government is going to ignore the problem, it is up to us to ensure that all Americans have a Merry Christmas and a better new year.