Redemption and the Right to a Living Income

For anyone who thinks and believes that those that are unemployed, receiving assistance from the state or federal government, or living on the streets are lazy and no good, feeding off the system, I suggest you watch the HBO documentary, Redemption.

Here we watch people all over the streets of New York collecting bottles and cans as a way to survive. To them this is their full time job, walking block after block, day after day, going through trash that sits on the corner to collect all and any bottles or cans that can be recycled. Why do they do this? Because for each bottle or can, they can receive five cents. This seems hardly anything to be working so dam hard for, yet they are doing it. They are doing it with their children because they cannot afford childcare, and because they are extra hands to help out, they are doing it without sleeping, they are doing it to afford to live in a one bedroom apartment with seven other people. They are doing it because money matters in the fight for survival and is the only option available to them.

Before you assume to think these are people who put themselves in this situation, as if they deserved it,
think again and watch the documentary. These are people with degrees, who have worked for such companies as Microsoft, who worked at the World Trade Center, who fought in wars for 'our freedom', who cannot survive on the social security they receive alone.

These are people who are doing what they can to survive, because the harsh reality is that if you make one wrong move, you too can be put out on the street without a helping hand. And you will then see what it's really like to live for your survival. Money gives us a buffer, we do not see the extent to the consequence our system of life on Earth creates - because we did not pull the shorter stick.

Anyone who suggest that someone does not deserve a living income, a dignified life with the resource required to survive, simply because they are not working the job we define as 'acceptable' - put yourself in the shoes of another. What would you do to survive. Is your right to food, shelter, hot water, clean clothing more valid then someone who isn't working, or not doing a job we classify as normal? Would you be willing to walk the streets of New York, digging through trash bags in front of fine dining establishment, simply to ensure you can buy yourself a sandwich for the day? What does shame have to do with anything when it comes to survival?

I suggest anyone that has such a judgment on those that are down and out and willing to do ANYTHING to make a few bucks, to watch this documentary, to put yourself in their shoes, and to then ask the question, why are Human Rights not a RIGHT given to all, unquestionably?

Investigate the Living Income Guaranteed proposed by the Equal Life Foundation. The core principle is that all humans have unalienable rights to life - that means food, water, shelter, clothing, education. These cannot and should not be denied to anyone, whether you are not able to find a job, in between jobs, victim of layoffs, whatever - that no matter your situation, YOU have the right to a dignified life, and that you are not FORCED to sift through the rubbish of other humans to collect your income.

The Rights of the Children

When a child is born into this world... are their basic human rights provided to them? Are they ensured that they will be cared for properly? Are they ensured that they will have a home, health care, food and parents that are in a position to effectively support them in growing up in our world? Some yes - those with Money; money is currently the determining factor of what kind of life you live and whether you have access to any form of human rights. However, many no - because many within our world are not guaranteed money, and thus are not guaranteed access to basic human rights. Actually - no one is guaranteed basic human rights. We might think we are, and even the United Nations have so graciously placed words on a document saying that each and every human being does in fact have 'inalienable' rights as a human - that are the basic requirements in order to live a decent life on Earth. But is this guaranteed? No because money is what buys us that, and again, not all have access to enough in order to actually provide it for themselves. Basic Human rights are implied to be given freely, to All, as an understanding of what is required to survive in this world, and yet - this is not given.

The only guarantee that we have is if we make enough money, then we can buy ourselves the comforts that shelter us from a World that does not support any one's Basic Right to Life.

And children are victims in our World and this acceptance.

Children are born into a world where the parents have no clue how to raise them, as they were raised by the generation before who had no clue how to raise them, and before them the same and so a pattern has been repeated throughout time, as parents are simply the product of a world that does not actually care enough to Live the Words it speaks or writes - as we have the words placed - we see what is necessary for a Human to be able to Live and yet it is not implemented. It is not enforced. It is simply there, in the background without action. And thus parents are teaching, as they have been taught, to not ask any questions and simply accept our World to be the way it is - where some are fortunate and others are not.

Do we have any right to bring a Child into this world? While so many children that are here are not being provided their basic human rights? Isn't it our responsibility to ensure that ALL humans are given their rights to life - actually their ABILITY to live - should we not first ensure this is a reality for all before we continue to bring children into this world that does not prove that it can support them?

Obviously children are going to be born into this world - we will not stop that, however then we MUST consider preparing a reality that is best for them. Surely that is what we would like for ourselves? I mean, have we stood in the shoes of the children? Wouldn't we want to be supported with proper health, diet, a family unit that can create a stable human and not an emotional, self interested consumer that continues to not care about this world? Wouldn't we like to be able to be educated? Wouldn't we like the opportunity to express and explore what this real world - the natural world, has to offer? Wouldn't we like to be able to take care of ourselves? Wouldn't we like to be able to live a fulfilling life where ALL our basic rights as a human are met and provided for? Surely we would - so why are we not ensuring that this is a reality? Why do we think we can continue to ignore the fundamental problem of our society - that no human rights are being offered or given and millions of children are continued to be allowed within this world without assuring any kind of safety or future for them. In fact - the future we are currently creating for the children to come is of misery.

Time to become responsible and get out of the 'now' of what is right in our immediate attention and consider the consequences of our lack of action. What kind of future are we possibly creating from where we are currently standing? It is clear, one that is NOT best for our children, or for ourselves and each other.

Investigate the Equal Life Foundation as an Organization actually providing a solution to our World and the Problem that we currently face - Children without Basic Human Rights. Become an advocate for Life and give your Life to ensure we leave a place worthy for the Children to come. Stand in the shoes and realize you would want this for yourself.

Human Rights for Children by Bernard Poolman: