This Monday, March 8th, there is a meeting at Access Living to discuss the issue of poverty in our community. The question to be discussed is, "How can we cut poverty in half in our country by the year 2015?" Because I had to attend another meeting this evening, this is the testimony I submitted via email.

My name is Reverend Joseph A. Mulcrone. I have been a Catholic priest for almost
39 years, and have worked full time in the deaf and disability community for
over 32 years. I am writing this to be included in the testimony to be given at
Access Living this Monday, March 8th on the issue of Poverty. (Once again,
Access Living has demonstrated its commitment to address the REAL issues
confronting the lives of all people, not just those with disabilities.)
While I could give you a telephone book list of all the things that should
be addressed, let me simply address two that I feel are most important.
First, A LIVING WAGE. The idea of a "MINIMUM WAGE" made sense at a certain
time. It no longer addresses the life situation of millions of the working poor
of our country. We must ask how much does a person need to live, not how little
can companies get by with paying their workers. The arguments that increasing
wages to this level will doom business simply does not wash. People paid a
living wage will have money to spend on the products companies produce. Every
effort must be made to create the intellectual, social, and political climate to
establish the concept of a "Living Wage" for the workers of this country.
Second, CRIME. The largest group of victims of crime in this country are the
poor. Whether it is the physical violence - domestic, sexual, drug-related,
etc. - that pervade their neighborhoods or the political/public corruption that
is a constant, the poor and working-class poor of our country are burdened by
the costs of crime. Too often, "war on crime" has been a "war on the poor"
instead of a "war on those who target the poor." A reduction of crime,
especially in poor neighborhoods, will automatically strengthen families,
increase educational achievement, provide more opportunitiers for business and
employment to thrive. I cannot blame the poor for often being suspicious of
such efforts. Too often, crime-fighting has been nothing more than a political
gimmick. Yet, effective crime prevention and interdiction would have a dramatic
effect on the lives of the poor.
Thank you for your attention.