I've been on Mr. O'Reilly's show a couple of times and have a great deal of respect for him. As much as the left and many in the media may deny it, Mr. O'Reilly does try to be an honest broker on his program. That said, his "welfare queen" attack on the poor is as misleading as it is hurtful.
In the same "talking points" memo in which he goes after Mr. Edwards, Mr. O'Reilly says, "I am living proof that you can start with very little and prosper economically if you work hard and keep it honest."
Perhaps Mr. O'Reilly did not grow up in luxury. But does he have any idea what crushing poverty is really like? Does Mr. O'Reilly know what it's like to continually have your phone, your electricity, and your gas shut off for nonpayment? Does he know what it's like to be continually evicted from your apartment? Does he know what it's like to go without heat for days or weeks in the dead of winter?
I doubt he really does. I know most politicians don't.
Since I was a child, I have always bristled at those who would use "but they have a color TV" as an argument against the poor. It's lazy, intellectually dishonest, and shows a complete lack of empathy. Sometimes, those now amazingly inexpensive TVs or DVD players are the only mental escape the poor have. Beyond the front door, they often face crime, lawlessness, gang and drug warfare, and a horrific life that only those who live it can imagine.
And since when did having air conditioning to cool your children and a car to get you to your job denote wealth?
I think Mr. O'Reilly has a good heart, and he clearly has tremendous power and outreach. Instead of taking a cheap shot, maybe he will offer to dedicate at least two entire programs per year to the plight of the homeless. He will then discover that not all are alcoholics, drug addicts or mentally impaired. Many are just children and adults who have lost their way.
As for both political parties, wake me from my fainting spell if, come 2010, either of them has done anything more for the poor than to exploit them.
Times are getting tougher. The homeless are increasing in number, and apart from election-year rhetoric, most pundits and politicians continue to ignore their struggle. Shame on them, and on us.
Douglas MacKinnon, a former White House and Pentagon official, is the author of the forthcoming novel, "The Apocalypse Directive." His e-mail is dmackinnon@sandw.com.
