M is for Missing the Heart of San Francisco (what Prop M can't do)

What characterizes this city? Outrageous hills and a beautiful bay? Arrays of architectural intigue? Diverse and rich cultural opportunity? Cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge? Diverse and delicious restaurants? Of course, all of these are integral to the appeal of this city? But what is the heart of our city?

We think the very heart of San Francisco is one of caring and compassion. Our spirit is one of acceptance, concern and kindness feuled by resources of courage, determination, and imagination. Our heart is one of justice. In this can-do city, we have a heritage, derived from St. Francis himself, of treating each other -- especially our most vulnerable sisters and brothers -- with respect, consideration and equality. And now both heart and heritage are threatened!

Prop M denies the heart of this great city!
Yes, we have severe urban concerns -- desparate problems with our poor, our homeless, our ill and addicted. For years we have assaulted the vulnerable among us with a series of ill-considered programs and proposals. We continue to strip the poor of the meager resources they have. And now we seek to criminalize the simple act of begging! Is this how we want to be known? Heading further down the road of fear and cruelty, blaming the victims of our social ills, turning the poor and destitute into criminals -- this has never been and is not now the answer.

Prop M is not the answer!
There are REAL solutions. We CAN turn this situation around. But how? Not with Prop M. Real solutions will be found:

*when we proclaim categorically that we CAN feed the hungry and heal the sick with effective food and health programs.

*when we commit to a city-wide treatment program from all who suffer from mental illness and addiction.

*when we pledge to provide employment opportunities that embody dignity and self respect for all.

*when we can guarantee affordable housing -- not a blanket on a floor -- real housing instead of shelter warehousing.

Prop M will interfere with real solutions.
The homeless and poor members of our community are not problems to be swept away. They are people to be embraced and helped. Vote NO on M and yell loudly for a new deal rooted in compassion and authentic care, a new deal for our neighbors, our sisters and brothers, our mothers and fathers who are hurt and dying. Let us make a new deal with ourselves to step back from the precipice our our own self-absorption and give our energies and our resources for the healing of others. Let us make a new deal that calls us to our truer selves, that reminds us and holds us accountable for being the compassionate and just people we were born to be together.

M=Missing. Missing the Heart of San Francisco. Vote NO on Proposition M.