There are countless reasons for the continuation of poverty in America, many of which are systemic, perpetuated by flawed governmental institutions and policies. Some legislators, however, continue to blame poor people for causing poverty in the first place, effectively relieving themselves of any burden of responsibility.

One such legislator, a member of the Health and Human Services Committee in the Colorado House of Representatives, showed his true anti-poor colors on Monday, Feb. 8. With great audacity, Republican Rep. Spencer Swalm stood in front of the House and claimed that poverty stems from single-parent households. To eliminate poverty, just don't have kids of out wedlock. Simple, huh?

Swalm even went one step further, by referring to single-parent homes as "dysfunctional" and ignoring research suggesting that familial stability, not marriage status, determines the success of children in school and life.

House Speaker Terrance Carroll rightly remarked that Rep. Swalm's comments were a slap in the face to hard-working single-parent families across America. If Rep. Swalm hopes to be seen as a legitimate representative of the people, he should immediately retract his statements and offer a sincere apology.

Sign the letter below, and demand that Rep. Swalm apologize for his insensitive, unfounded remarks.

Rep. Swalm's rhetoric is more than ignorant -- it's dangerous. Poverty will continue to spread and worsen until legislators accept and act on the true causes of poverty: unequal access to resources and opportunities, paired with discriminatory policies in governmental, educational and work environments.

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