Recorded via Skype
Imperial Legislature
Nashville, TN
Good afternoon, Federalists, and thank you again for welcoming me as a member of your great party. During my tenure as both member and Speaker of the IDS Legislature, we have passed a multitude of reforms addressing our economy, government reform, and crime. I have had the pleasure of working with Federalists, as well as Democratic-Republicans, on areas where we can find common ground.
Over the last two months, I have focused my efforts on crafting a plan that will curb the problem of homelessness in our region: indeed, an epidemic that affects all people, rich and poor, from small towns to large cities. Homelessness is a problem that is seldom addressed by politicians, and when they do, little is done to change the course. Politicians and the media too often frame the debate to be a question of 'balancing the budget versus caring for those in need.' But as one American state, has shown us, this need not be the case.
The state of Utah guarantees every citizen without a home an apartment room. With that, they are appointed a caseworker to help them find work and become self-sufficient, and if they fail, they are allowed to keep their apartment. Other states in the US have been looking to replicate this program, and very soon, the IDS Legislature will consider a bill that will do just the same.
How can this work, you might ask? How can government crack down on the homelessness problem without adding a dime to the deficit? Simple. In 2005, Utah figured out that the annual cost of E.R. visits and jail stays for homeless people was about $16,670 per person, compared to $11,000 to provide each homeless person with an apartment and a social worker. That means it would cost the state less to provide homes to individuals and families than to only provide band-aids and temporary support when basic survival is impossible.
Utah teaches us an important lesson: it's not a matter of 'big government' versus 'small government,' it is a matter of the government doing what's right for the people it serves. That's why I am challenging all Federalists to encourage similar policies in their regions and the federal government. Together, we can eliminate homelessness. But we can only do it if we have the willpower and the right approach to doing so.
Let us work to amend our platform so that it supports a great initiative like this. Let's lead Atlasia toward the path of equal opportunity and prosperity - one city, one state, one region at a time.
Thank you.
