Ten years ago today, in the aftermath of Katrina, John Scalzi wrote one of the most deeply profound pieces on poverty in America I have ever read.  I made my kids read it when they got old enough I thought they would understand it.

I have not experienced the grinding poverty that Scalzi writes of. But I have known people who get upset when we lose a few hours of work because that will make the difference between making the rent or not. People who work two or three jobs to get by.

I hold the political positions I do precisely because I know how fortunate I am, and because I know how so many people are caught in poverty even though they work hard. I find my work — as little as it is — to be meaningful because maybe, just maybe, I can help make a difference in some people’s lives.