By Evelyn Jerome
We all agree that poverty leads to crime, but the Daily Press story (June 17, 2003) made me wonder if anyone wants to look at what leads to poverty as the first step toward reducing it.
City leaders seem to want to put a Band-Aid on the problem of poverty instead of looking at its roots. The main differences between the Pico neighborhood and other areas of Santa Monica, which the reporter described as “overwhelmingly populated by wealthy white professionals,” are income level and education level.
Increased skills, experience and education lead to increased income, decreased poverty and decreased crime.
“Pushing for more government funding,” and “(calling for) more government jobs to be given to Pico residents” (as Mr. de la Torre said) sends the message to Pico residents that someone owes them something. The government is not responsible for redistributing wealth or giving jobs to those without the skills and education to succeed.
Instead of focusing on how students feel about taking the bus to school versus their friends who drive themselves in their own cars, students should learn, in school, at home and at the Pico Youth and Family Center, that their success in life rests on their own drive to increase their skills, experience and education. Teaching them that they are victims of society and that someone owes them money or a job, is the worst disservice we can provide.
Instead of looking to put a Band-Aid on poverty, let’s figure out how to stop the endless spiral of dependency. The American dream isn’t about handouts, or government programs and services, it’s about starting with nothing and building your way up to success through accomplishment.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 19, 2003. Read the original PDF.