To Whom It May Concern:

I'm writing a book on the poor people of Amercia. Hopefully my book will be published sometime this year. It depends on if I can get interviews from those I am soliciting for information. :) One chapter will solely be on personal interviews with public housing residents, the homeless and the working poor of the nation. I am looking for at least one person that fits one of the catagories below, from all 50 U.S. states, who are struggling to survive either in public housing, on the streets or in shelters, or those living in a private market rental unit with a housing voucher known as Section 8, or those that have a home mortgage.

I am a resident of Chicago public housing and cannot afford to travel all 50 states to talk to these people in person. I am using this web blog to solicit the help of all those concerned and in whom this message applies. Anyone who knows of anyone who fits these catagories, please direct them my way. It would be much appreciated. Programs for the poor of the nation have been cut tremendously over the years, and they have been treated like outcasts.

The poor and low-income people of America are constantly struggling to survive every day in their cities and towns with a lack of affordable housing, insufficient jobs and educational services, as well as without the appropriate healthcare services for themselves and their families.

Federal programs that have helped these people for years, are not being cut left and right which in turns threatens the welfare of the poverty stricken and working poor. I have on several occasions in my lifetime heard from people who have said that "being poor is a state of mind." Is that true? I would like those in the aforementioned catagories to respond to that statement. I personally can set a few of those self professed wise people who sound like fools straight. But I prefer you all do the honors. I want to hear from you. I believe those of you that are struggling to survive along with me, can better enlighten the confused who make such statements that don't walk in your shoes.

To help me depict an accurate picture for the readers, I also ask that people fitting each category provide some background information on themselves. First and Last Name; Age; number of children and their age range; Income level (up to $30,000); Marital Status (single, married, divorced, widow); and the City, State, or Town you're from. Also, I asked that you please provide me with a brief history of how you ended up in your current situation as a public housing resident, homeless, and your struggles as a working poor person renting or paying a mortage. I humbly ask for this information to give the general population food for thought as it relates to the different circumstances that people like you go through which resulted in your current state of being. Peace be unto thee. Note: Once again, I am trying to get my book finished sometime in 2007. So please remember to be brief in your postings in order for it to be easier for me to reply to each and every one of you who so graciously views my blog. I appreciate all your time and efforts in assisting me with this venture. All other comments are welcomed. Thanks!

Please visit my Youtube page at www.YouTube.com/marycturbo to check out my homemade videos on Social Justice issues, and for personal entertainment. Featuring me rappin about the American government's neglect of the poor and needy, about tax relief, as well as me singing about love gone wrong.

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