At a time when the United Nations has stated that we are confronted with a famine of unprecedented nature in many African countries, notably Somalia, South Sudan, Malawi, and Nigeria, the Trump administration has decided to cut foreign aid considerably. More than 30,000 children have died in Somalia in the last three months. This gets less attention than the latest Hollywood breakup or Trump tweet.

This is the most flagrant decision to declare war on the poor, but there are many others.

The proposed American Health Care Act will cause millions of poor people to lose their insurance while decreasing taxes for the rich. Defunding Planned Parenthood without considering any replacement will be disastrous in many cities, such as Racine, Wisconsin because there are no other community health centers where women can go for annual screenings and prevention. The AHCA will gut funding for mental health services that many poor people depend on. 

Budget cuts to organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency will have long-term consequences for urban and rural poor people because climate change and pollution affect our inner cities and rural areas first. 

Pope Francis has stated that "a way has to be found to enable everyone to benefit from the fruits of the Earth." President Trump should pay heed. 

Dr. Robert Perry

Mystic