I call on the government of Newfoundland, educators, doctors and clergy to make these issues known and further to make basic telephone, basic internet and cable as well as government subsidized heat an ongoing budget priority for Income Support clients , Seniors and the working poor. Years and years ago, the necessities of life were much simpler in scope than today. Few people had access to such modern conveniences as telephone, television,radio and cars. Then too, weekly doctor visits and medications were largely unheard of and payments were either overlooked or you gave a chicken, dozen eggs or a few potatoes as payment for a visit. Food back then consisted of whatever you could grow, pick or trap, a meager existence at best.But diseases were rampant back then too. Diseases such as consumption (TB), diphtheria, measles,rickets (Vitamin D deficiency, pneumonia, polio and diabetes could all very easily claim a life and did so. Many headstones can attest to that. But times do change. Since the 1950s, things have improved and indeed gotten much more sophisticated.Everyone can boast of at least one television, one radio and most have had a telephone for at least 30 years. These things may appear commonplace for most of us. By 2000 nearly every single household in Newfoundland has cable tv, internet and computers. It is necessary to have both, as much for entertainment as it is for school projects. They are commonplace necessities for communications with loved ones in Kuwait, Afghanistan or family in BC or Alberta. For some, with speech impairments and other disorders which prevent or render face to face communication difficult, these tools have become an only link to the outside world and as such are NECESSITIES TO LIFE. Equally as important is the need for ADEQUATE NUTRITION in our daily diet, without which, many studies have shown,proper formation of learning in ages 1-3 occur at a lower rate, illnesses such as vitamin deficiencies leading to malformed bones (rickets) occur, cavities due to poor nutrition because of a higher sugar intake (affordability is a key factor here) because it is cheaper to buy pop and sugar enhanced drinks than it is to buy milk. High blood pressure, diabetes,heart attack and strokes occur more frequently among the poor due to increased stress, leading to a dependency on doctors prescriptions to treat rather than having fresh proper fruit and vegetables at their disposal. The result: higher health care costs and unnecessary hospitalization had a healthier diet been available to them. Recently an organization listed some 69 foods , also a necessity, for a nutritionally adequate diet in a food basket. The cost of providing two persons for a week to such a diet is at $200. hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/surveill/basket-panier/qa-qr-eng.php# To a childless couple receiving $800-$900 per month that may be possible but who is paying for phone, heat in winter, lights, cable, internet, clothing etc, etc? Or where are they living that they have no other bills? Something does not add up here and one need not be a genius to figure that out. The 2008 National Nutritious Food Basket consists of the following foods (listed in alphabetical order): apple juice$2.50; apples 3 lb bag-$2.99; bananas.99 cent a lb; baked beans (canned), $2.19; beef (ground $4.48, inside round, $4.00 and steak, $5-7.00); bread (white $2.50, whole wheat $2.50, and buns, $2.79); broccoli (fresh)$3.59; cabbage, $3.29; canola oil, 4 l $6.99; cantaloupe $3.49; carrots $2.39(fresh); celery $2.49; cereals $4.99 per box; cheddar cheese $4.99 per 500 grams; cheese slices 24s $$3.99; chicken legs $7.00; corn (canned) $1.09 small tin; crackers$2.99; cucumber $1.79; eggs $2.99; fish $4.99(frozen); grapes $3.49; green pepper $2.99; ham pkg $2.99, baking $10.00; iceberg lettuce$2.29; lentils guessing $3.39 (dry); margarine $200 per 1 lb tub; mayonnaise$5.39; milk$4.39 per 2 liters and canned is $1.99; mixed vegetables $5.39 for 2 kg(frozen); mozzarella cheese $5.39 for 500 gram; mushrooms $3.49; oatmeal $$2.50 pkg; onions $1.79; orange juice$2.99; oranges $1.69 lb or $75 cents each; pasta 2/$4.00; peaches $1.29 and up(canned); peanuts $ 3.00 lb; peanut butter $4.49; pears$2.99 lb (fresh); peas $5.00 per 2 kg bag(frozen); pita bread $3.29 guessed; plain cookies$3.00 and crackers $3.29; pork chops $11.00 for a pack of 5; potatoes $2.99; raisins $2.99; rice $5.99; romaine lettuce $1.29; rutabaga/turnip $1.89/lb; salad dressing $5.39; salmon guessing $ 3.29 (canned); strawberries$7.00 (frozen); string beans$3.89 (frozen); sweet potatoes$3.29; tomatoes (canned $2.39and fresh $4.00); tuna $ 1.59(canned); vegetable juice$3.29; and yogurt $4.99. Total coppst $200 per week based on sales at the time. Another study out there sets the poverty line cut off at $20,000 per year. That same couple mentioned above gets between $8000-$9000 a year. Thats half of what the poverty line cut off says is okay. A few months back during question period, the MHA for Bonavista North was heard plainly stating that Income Recipients get enough. Again I ask, Really?? To him and anyone else who mistakenly think that $800 a month is enough to live on, I say TRY IT! And try it without your bank accounts, your debit and charge cards and without borrowing from friends and relatives. This is 2014. We have a booming economy, we are a have province. Stop making us live as if it were still the 1930s.It is difficult enough going without adequate food but to not have communications with family and friends is an even greater tragedy.For along with losing necessities, such ads decent food, the ability and resources to communicate with family, friends and care givers, one begins to lose hope, drive, courage to dream of a better tomorrow and ambition. These are replaced with anxiety, depression,fear, isolation,hopelessness and physical illnesses manifest themselves. To quote from the Bible, MAN CANNOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE And so in closing I urge you to make the elimination of poverty an election issue for 2015 Thank you, Wanda White (PWR) Broad Cove C. B. north
Posted on: Wed, 02 Jul 2014 21:56:44 +0000
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