The Obamas in LA: See no evil, hear no evil

­The campaign just released a list of its top money bundlers, showing they’ve raised at least 75 million dollars – and the most prominent money bundlers are in California. It is also a state with one of the highest rates of unemployment, foreclosures and homelessness.

Don’t expect the Obama’s to stop by any of the neighborhoods suffering from those issues, though.

“If they were to come to places like this in South Central Los Angeles, or to Downtown LA to Skid Rows, they would be surprised at the reality,” said Carlos Marroquin, a homeowners advocate and Occupy LA activist, ahead of another visit from the Obamas.
There are many stark realities in Los Angeles that the President and first lady do not get to see, and many voices they do not hear.

“All you have to do is look at the people that are homeless. All you have to do s look at all the people being laid off,” said Osiris, a Los Angeles resident.

“We’re on our way down and it may be down the drain maybe for good," said Gary Boatright, a homeless man living on the streets of Skid Row. He is one of the city’s 50 thousand homeless.

“I don’t think much of them coming to LA or anywhere else. It’s what they do, not what they say,” said Boatright.

He along with community activists, argue the White House hasn’t done enough to address our nation’s increasing wealth gap.

“The issue of homelessness and poverty in America is obviously not a priority of the Obama administration. Basically poor people are being kept invisible,” he added.

Poverty has risen in California every year since President Obama came into office. Today 6 million live below the poverty line and 1-in-5 Californians lack health coverage.

“Unfortunately President Obama has been a huge disappointment to a lot of us,” Boatright said.

­The campaign just released a list of its top money bundlers, showing they’ve raised at least 75 million dollars – and the most prominent money bundlers are in California. It is also a state with one of the highest rates of unemployment, foreclosures and homelessness. Don’t expect the Obama’s to stop by any of the neighborhoods suffering from those issues, though.

“If they were to come to places like this in South Central Los Angeles, or to Downtown LA to Skid Rows, they would be surprised at the reality,” said Carlos Marroquin, a homeowners advocate and Occupy LA activist, ahead of another visit from the Obamas.
There are many stark realities in Los Angeles that the President and first lady do not get to see, and many voices they do not hear.

“All you have to do is look at the people that are homeless. All you have to do s look at all the people being laid off,” said Osiris, a Los Angeles resident.

“We’re on our way down and it may be down the drain maybe for good," said Gary Boatright, a homeless man living on the streets of Skid Row. He is one of the city’s 50 thousand homeless.

“I don’t think much of them coming to LA or anywhere else. It’s what they do, not what they say,” said Boatright.

He along with community activists, argue the White House hasn’t done enough to address our nation’s increasing wealth gap.

“The issue of homelessness and poverty in America is obviously not a priority of the Obama administration. Basically poor people are being kept invisible,” he added.

Poverty has risen in California every year since President Obama came into office. Today 6 million live below the poverty line and 1-in-5 Californians lack health coverage.
“Unfortunately President Obama has been a huge disappointment to a lot of us,” Boatright said.