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Are the Grapes of Wrath Growing in California's Vineyards?

by Barbara McPherson | October 21, 2009 at 09:53 am

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When I read reports of huge numbers of ordinary Americans pushed into homelessness, I ask myself if the grapes of wrath once again growing in California's Vineyards. The classic John Steinbeck novel, The Grapes of Wrath was a must study in my highschool English classes. We read and wondered at how a society could let hardworking citizens fall to such dire circumstances. It looks from an outsider's point of view that many that have helped make California the Golden State have been abandoned by their fellow citizens.

Vineyards heavy with table grapes and raisins stretched across the horizon, along with vast orchards of almond, pistachio and fig trees.

"We're standing in the richest farm belt in the world," Arax said, "And yet the poverty here is overwhelming."

"Fresno has the most concentrated poverty of any city in the country. New Orleans is second. So there is a paradox to this place - this bounty side by side, cheek by jowl with the poverty.

Our usual picture of homeless people is that they are living outside by choice or mental illness. This has changed with the sudden decline in the U.S. economy. People who held regular jobs, paying their taxes and hoping for a little piece of the golden dream are now finding themselves homeless and living in modern day Hoovervilles.

Homeless camps like this one have formed in several places around California.
People here have formed a kind of community, complete with a "town council" of elders who meet nightly.

Many of those living in the camps are chronically homeless men with mental issues or drug and alcohol problems. But many others are former members of the working or middle classes who have fallen off the economic ladder.

Those that have been pushed into poverty through no fault of their own, must be looking at the Golden state and wondering if it was all Fool's Gold.

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a211423

at 10:17 on October 21st, 2009

It is noteworthy also that the women interviewed stated how she became homeless..

a preschool teacher until a year ago, when her world caved in. "I got sick," she told me. "Ulcerative colitis. Ended up losing my job, and ended up here. Ran out of health insurance and money and this is what happened."

Her health insurance ran out when she lost her job. This would not happen with universal coverage. Her story is being repeated in many areas as the unemployed struggle to survive in a punitive system.

Hugh Askew

at 18:12 on October 21st, 2009

It honestly breaks my heart that she is homeless.

Her homelessness is not explained by lack of health coverage, however. Her homelessness is explained by her loosing her job. Were she still working, she wouldn't be homeless. Plain and simple.

a211423

at 18:26 on October 21st, 2009

If universal coverage existed, she would be covered whether she is working or not. Tragically she would be homeless perhaps, but at least she would have health care.

There is a program in Los Angeles--the homeless capital of the U.S.--where mobile units with doctors treat the sick on the streets or where ever they can find them.

Malcolm665 (not verified)

at 18:31 on October 21st, 2009

Its bad globally at the moment .Im in Sydney Australia and there are similar things here. The "Grapes of Wrath" term is from the Bible and is refering to the Middle East.Thats where they are growing

a211423

at 19:50 on October 21st, 2009

Roy,

I don't know the particulars on this woman's case, but eligibility is determined based on pay stubs, bank statements, savings, properties including a cars. If she lost her job recently, she has 10 months of employment that she has to declare, and she would probably have a co-pay that she can't afford. Actually, it might only be the last two months' bank statements, I am not sure.

The main idea here is that universal health care covers you no matter what happens. If she had this in Canada, she would have gotten treatment.

a211423

at 20:04 on October 21st, 2009

Yes, rng

Thank you for the addition

Sadly, we live in a country where health care for profit is worshipped, and I hope this can be turned around

Today I read that now the Congress is considering removing the exemption from anti-trust laws for health insurance companies. This means they won't be able to price-fix, which I am sure they are already in board rooms planning en masse if insurance exchanges or a public option become law.