Poverty is the biggest/best reason for public service

courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

When I see stories like this, I want to thank those who have devoted their lives to public service in general and helping the poor in particular. I am not a great believer in the power of the private sector to solve problems as diverse and complex in their roots and effects as poverty, unemployment, teen pregnancy, public health, and public education. The state (the government) has a unique ability to reach across sectors of society to address these ills. I don't see private sector solutions to the problem of poverty. But I do see an increase in reliance on private-sector-modeled approaches to the problem of poverty in our state because of the results of last month's elections in Wisconsin. The private sector can definitely be (and often is) a force for good in the fight against poverty. I am willing to grant that to my political opponents. But it seems limited in its ultimate effectiveness. How will the private sector support the structural change (a structure that has allowed the private sector to flourish) that will enable a large scale reduction in the poverty numbers across the state?