Poverty is
the singular cause of dysfunction in families. To extinguish poverty as we know
it would mean a significant and vital change to the social conscience and the
development of political policies. We acknowledge that poverty does not stand
alone as the only cause of family dysfunction. We also acknowledge that family
dysfunction is not the sole domain of the poor. However, our starting point is
the light which is shone on those who are the most vulnerable because of there
reliance on social funding.
As a Political Party, we are concerned about the unfair and inequitable
distribution of wealth and the glare of those who have access to the resources
not afforded most people in this country. It is important that we provide a focus
in this area so that the problem may be addressed and appropriate solutions be
discovered.
Domestic Violence, drug abuse, child abuse and neglect etc
are not mutually exclusive and need to be viewed with a wide perspective
incorporating all the nuances which encapsulate these issues. Poverty sits there along side all the sins of
human kind. It is used as a means of control by determining the amount of
financial contribution made by governments which will assuage those in power
who wish to see others as different and inferior to themselves. To confront
those who wield this power means that their own greed and prejudices need to be
confronted. They will argue they do what is possible by their narrow definition
as controllers of the purse. While offering incentives for the wealthy to
become wealthy they are simultaneously offering the poor less and placing
controls on them which they would never place on the wealthy.
The bargaining chips offered by those with wealth and power
is inordinately effective compared to the apparent limited bargaining chips
offered by those who say they represent the poor or the poor themselves. The
poor don’t form lobbying groups, stand for parliament or exert any real energy
that will change the way they are treated. While the wealthy will influence the
political class to ensure that their interests are best served. The political
parties who receive donations from the wealthy will always have their donor’s
interests at heart. This will determine the political decisions made at the
expense of the those who don’t have a voice.
As a political movement, it is therefore imperative that we
work to limit the power of the wealthy so that the space which is meant for
political debate can be utilised to discuss those who are impacted and suffer
at the hands of financially motivated policies which provide nothing but closer
surveillance of the poor.
Policies which limit the distribution of wealth impact the
children of the poor. These policies subjugate children through financial
suppression and continual denigration based on the parents perceived
worthlessness and contribution to society. Someone must make a stand for those
who are not able to voice their concerns nor articulate their experiences in a
manner which changes the debate and opens a pathway towards true equitable and
fair decisions which include the ALL.
Poverty is not a stage of growth, something we have to
experience in order for our lives to be different, rather it is an unfortunate
pathway determined by the degree to which we as a society castigate those who
are lumbered with poverty. In the same way that we would reach down to help
someone who has fallen over, we need to reach down and help those who are
struggling with life no matter what the affliction.
This is not about becoming extremely paternalistic or
superior it is about identifying the structures which bring about poverty and
the beliefs which trap people into believing that there is no escape.
The Child Protection Party believes that we can challenge
the beliefs which cause children to grow into the beliefs adopted by their parents
and imposed by the society in which they live.
