2012 Presidential Election: Tracking the Candidates on Poverty

More people are living in poverty now than ever before, at least since records were kept. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 46 million Americans were living in poverty in 2011, which for a family of four means an annual income of less than $22,100 a year. All this, and in four weeks citizens across the country will hit the polls to vote in the 2012 presidential election. Incumbent President Barack Obama is running for a second and final term during this election. His major challenger is former Massachusetts Governor, Republican Mitt Romney.
 
Released in January, Poverty, the Media and Election 2012: What Do Voters Think?, reveals the results of a survey of likely voters’ views on poverty and opportunity in the context of the 2012 presidential campaign. The report provides a snapshot of opinions provided by the survey, as well as by other public opinion polls on similar topics. Within this context, the report discussed five key findings in particular:

1. Voters strongly said candidates’ views on poverty are important in deciding their vote for president. 
2. Nearly half of voters said they have not heard enough from presidential candidates about reducing poverty.
3. Half of voters said they have not heard enough from the media about reducing poverty during the presidential campaign.  
4. Voters strongly said candidates’ positions on equal opportunity for children of all races are important in deciding their vote for president.  
5. Voters tended to say children of all races do not currently have equal access to opportunity.

While poverty may not be a significant electoral issue, the findings in this poll suggested that voters are interested in hearing more about poverty and equal opportunity from candidates and the media, and that poverty and opportunity may play a role in their vote.
 
This was welcomed news to the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina which serves as an advocate for the poor and underserved in South Carolina. Educating and serving as a resource for both the community and public policy makers on issues affecting the poor is one way the Foundation engages in the public policy process. As we approach the November election, it is important to know the candidates’ views on poverty issues.
 
There is one organization tracking and sharing this information. Over the past few months, Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity was tracking all candidates on poverty-related issues, from quotes to policy statements to media interaction. It is now covering the official nominees from the Democratic and Republican parties, Obama and Romney. Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity is a non-partisan initiative that brings together diverse perspectives from the political, policy, advocacy and foundation communities to find solutions to reduce poverty in America.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012, marks the conclusion of the 57th presidential race with voters heading to the polls to cast their vote for the next president. Before you visit the polls, find out where each candidate stands on issues of both poverty and economic opportunity.

Please note that the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina does not support or oppose any candidate for public office. This resource is one means to assist voters in analyzing some of the significant poverty and opportunity issues of the campaign so that they can exercise their rights in a most effective manner.

Brooke Bailey is the senior director of communications

Immigration Reform

The debate on immigration reform remains a very hot topic. It continues in Washington and is also part of the discussion in South Carolina. States like Arizona have passed their own immigration laws because of the stalemate in Washington. The U.S. Government must step forward with real immigration law reform before more states follow Arizona’s lead.  The President has given it a high priority but, without bi-partisan support, it is unlikely that legislation will be passed.

The current immigration law in the U.S. is nothing short of confusing and outdated.  We are essentially patched together using pieces of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. It is long past time to create a new law. 

According to the Immigration Policy Center, there are more than 180,000 undocumented immigrants in South Carolina.  This makes up about 4.4% of our state’s population.  Before determining what immigration reform needs to look like, let’s glance at some the economic data. Latinos (both foreign born and native born) wield nearly $3.8 billion in purchasing power in South Carolina. The Asian population makes up over $2 billion in purchasing power.  In the state of South Carolina, there are more than 3,000 Latino-owned businesses which employs more than 7,000 people and has annual sales in excess of $690 million. Many undocumented workers make up the workforce in agriculture, construction, housekeeping, restaurant and landscaping services to name a few. If all unauthorized immigrants left South Carolina, the state would lose more than $2 billion in economic activity, $782 million in gross state product and more than 12,000 jobs.

There is no denying that the immigration debate is complicated and divisive. Many children of immigrants were born here. Some immigrant children were brought here at a young age and know no other country. The vast majority of immigrants are contributing to their community with a strong work ethic and family values.

The answer to immigration reform is not to stop everyone on the street, ask for their papers, and if they are undocumented, ship them back to their home country.  First and foremost, it would be inhumane. Secondly, the cost would be exorbitant with no real way to pay for it, leading to an increase in our already skyrocketing debt. It is just not pragmatic. I am not suggesting that we open our borders and let everyone that wants to live in the United States enter freely. We have over 11 million immigrants without citizenship living in America now.  The Dream Act that was introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch is a good step forward. It allows young people who meet certain requirements to get an education and develop a pathway to citizenship.

True Immigration Reform will require compromise, practical thinking, fiscal responsibility and compassion. This country was founded by immigrants. That is how our forefathers got here in the first place. There are no easy answers but there is a way to make reasonable and thoughtful decisions in a bi-partisan manner. If we can have that kind of commitment to Immigration Reform, then we have a chance to do something meaningful and fix a broken system.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina