How Obama Responds to Poverty

With the issue of race inevitably comes the question of poverty. Obama is a self-described champion of people “afflicted” by poverty, and as a “citizen of the world,” understands the moral call to eradicate global poverty. Why is it, then, that Barack Obama’s half brother, George Obama, still lives in a Kenyan slum?

Despite numerous reports, from Vanity Fair to CNN, that found George in a Kenyan slum and several charity funds (www.helpgeorgeobama.org, George Obama Compassion Fund, etc.) established in George Obama’s name, Barack’s half-brother has not moved out of his slum nor has Barack Obama made any ostensible gestures to George since these reports have surfaced.

George Obama, reportedly living on $1/month (Vanity Fair), was further questioned about his living conditions. He apparently reconsidered, saying

They say I live on a dollar a month, but this is all lies by people who don’t want my brother to win…I was brought up well. I live well even now. They exaggerated everything.

That “they” (Vanity Fair, CNN) are considered as anti-Obama media is rather doubtful. But it’s worthwhile to listen to George himself:

Seems that though he seems content with his quality of life (indeed, this is the norm for him), George Obama clearly recognizes that his circumstances could be better and that Barack Obama moves in another stratum. Also interesting is George’s statement that Barack will win the Presidency, not because his brother is the better contender, but because Barack wants to win.

Obama’s answer to improve George Obama’s circumstances is to get the taxpayer to fund it. In 2008, Obama re-introduced the “Global Poverty Act of 2007″ which aimed to aid George Obama by

eradicating extreme hunger and reducing hunger and malnutrition, achieving universal education, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating the spread of preventable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, increasing access to potable water and basic sanitation, ensuring environmental sustainability, and achieving significant improvement in the lives of at least 100,000,000 slum dwellers.

This Global Poverty Act (note the bill hasn’t gone beyond its introduction) perhaps reflects Barack’s general response mechanism. Instead of addressing George’s very real straitened circumstances, Barack Obama has turned them into a global cause, with taxpayers footing the bill. As was clearly seen at the Saddleback Forum, Barack Obama has a habit of talking around the issue with his “nuance” and “intellect.” The question remains whether this presumptive philosopher king can put the talking aside and actually tackle the issues.

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