Homeless man on the front steps of St. John the Evangelist Church in Hillcrest at noon today. 

I was on my way to my volunteer job at the Museum of Photograph Arts when I got the picture.

A few days ago I came across radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh's explanation for why we have so many poor people and homeless people in America.  Basically, he says it’s their own fault and the government’s fault because “the government” encourages them to stay in poverty because they believe they will be rescued by “the welfare state.”  Limbaugh’s net worth: $400 million.  Limbaugh’s annual salary: $70 million. 

Whether they like it or not, Limbaugh believes he is speaking for all conservatives... for all Republicans.

  

 “We recognize that we are all individuals. We believe that the preamble to the Constitution contains an inarguable truth that we are all endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights, among them life, liberty, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. We conservatives think all three are under assault.  We don’t want to tell anybody how to live.  That’s up to you.  If you want to make the best of yourself, feel free.  If you want to ruin your life, we’ll try to stop it—but it’s a waste.  We look over the country as it is today, we see so much waste, human potential that’s been destroyed by 50 years of a welfare state.  By a failed war on poverty.”