Dear Editor,

In February of 1964, President Lyndon Johnson made a call to his then Director Of the Peace Corps, Sargent Shriver. He informed him he was going to have a press conference that afternoon appointing him as Director of the “War on Poverty.”

Johnson told him he had a billion dollar budget, and 60 days to conceive, design, administratively structure and get the program approved by congress. Then on March 16, 1964, he delivered a “Special Message to Congress,” in this message, he said “ because it’s right, because it’s wise, and because for the first time in history it’s possible to conquer poverty.” Now here we are 48 years later, and 15 trillion dollars, still fighting the “War on Poverty.”

But all is not lost, “Move the Mountain,” (another feel good program) has come to Troup County, with the help of Ms. Kay Durand, executive director of Troup County Center for Strategic Planning with the support of Troup County Commission Chairman Ricky Wolfe, and last, but made impossible without the tax monies of the “Troup County Taxpayers.” And I love the way this works, the program works on a volunteer basics, but yet they need $150,000, and some lucky soul,” an executive director will receive a proposed salary of $45,000, and supplies. Question, why not use one of the volunteers? I love the way Mr. Wolfe describes his position on this worthy project, “a noble attempt to curb the epidemic of poverty, and for the Troup County Commission to look in their hearts to “support this, spiritually cause.” “Move the Mountain,” works with a circle of volunteers, really? Ever ask a group of friends to meet on a Saturday to help you move? Only to wind up doing it yourself. The point is, volunteers don’t always show up, sounds like a good idea at the time. The whole thing to me smells of pass the SPLOST Tax, and receive 3 million dollars worth of bike trails.

You want to end poverty here are a few steps in the right direction, quit taking from us that work and giving to those that don’t. Quit sending out food stamps every month, ever went to bed with a gnawing hunger pain in your gut, first 2 days annoying, day 3 you realize it’s time to do something, want someone to feel good about themselves let them feed themselves. Take away their free cellphone, seems these have become a way of life, I say let them text on their own dime. Quit building them new homes (I.e. Hudson Cottages, DASH houses, just a few of the “War on Poverty” homes ) unless they are a true outdoors type of person, they’ll get a job and rent a place for themselves and family. Maybe a 1 bedroom shanty , but next thing you know they are moving into a 3 bedroom apartment or house. Quit paying their utilities, there’s nothing worst that flipping a light-switch that don’t work. Quit paying for their emergency room visits with their 101 temperature, let them get a job and pay for their doctor visits. And the biggest one of all, get the elected officials local, state and federal, to quit listening to the “want to feel good about themselves” people, and listen more to the working poor who are paying the bills .

You want to make a circle to end poverty, let it complete itself back to the “ Great Society” where it began, with Lyndon Johnson and quit disabling the American people with giveaways. This is not an everyone is equal society, we were all born equal but after that you are on your own, nothing says the person behind me at a red light that don’t get up till noon, and doesn’t work deserves the same as I do. Quit taking from me and the other 53 percent that support the 47 percent that give nothing.

Mike Moses

Old Hutchinson Mill Rd.