There is no representation in the State or Fedural Government for Poverty,  There are people working on the finacial issues,and Healthcare, there is even representation for Education,welfare,and jobs but there is not a seat just for Poverty.

     My Name is Laurel Merchant and I life in Portland Maine, I have been homless and I am living in Poverty,  the National level for Poverty is 37.1

    I have found that when the inflashion goes down the Poverty gets worse and the reason for this is because the money that was set aside for Shelters or citys is taken and  gets put on another  project that takes away from what the money was for in the first place. Isn't it time for somebody that is living in poverty be able to get an office in the state house and bring Poverty to The House of Representativs. Right now I am working on the Portland Maine area, I have Held offices in Grange 480 Livermore New  Norland Grange.  I am the person to bring issues to the right people and stand up towards these people, I am also a Type A Personality. Which comes in Handy working with those people that have no clue or Forgot where they came from, Our Maine Governor says he was Homless at the age of 11 and made it. Yet he hasn't yet poved himself with the Poor at least Governors of Past came down and donated there time to us. He is not. and I am running for an office to change that. Please sign this if you believe in This  change Poverty working for Poverty, I am now speeking in meeting and groups. I learned a lot from the meeting I went to speek at. I now realize I need to talk about what I am about. The most inportent thing to me is Representation of Poverty not have it intertagled in other issues. 

 Bringing poverty to the State/Fed Govenment is not going to be easy I never said it would be. but It doesn't hurt to try and if I dont do this then I will never know. 

Laurel Ann Merchant 

Rep for Poverty working for poverty 

65 Grant street apt 3 

Portland Maine 04101