By Mark David Blum, Esq.

Thanksgiving is one of my two favorite holidays. It is a celebration of achievement; a day for back patting. We see ourselves as part of a larger family and a larger community. Those of us who can, gather around and engorge ourselves until we fall asleep over boring football and mindless gossip. In these activities, we find our roots and connection to our national heritage. Best stated, the holiday is a wrap-around-warm blanket where Americans can be nestled with their Clan and Nation in a common caloric binge and celebration.

Part of my personal heritage is Judaism and within that context, there are several occasions throughout the religion’s calendar that ‘fasting’ is an element of the holiday’s celebration. Fasting as part of a religious ritual in Judaism is unlike most other religions. We do not fast to cleanse the soul nor do we fast for self emulation. Rather, to a Jew, fasting is a way of feeling the pain of others not so lucky. We set ourselves to hunger so we may indeed experience that feeling. In a sense, it develops within us empathy for our fellow worldly travelers.

Is this not the reason Americans likewise have declared this holiday? To quote President Theodore Roosevelt’s Thanksgiving Proclamation, " We can best prove our thankfulness to the Almighty by the way in which on this earth and at this time each of us does his duty to his fellow-men."

Blessings from God or from Mother Earth or just the results of your own sweat and toil should always be treasured. Never forget that everything around you; your family, your job, your wealth, and your happiness … all of it, can be gone in an instant. Like many of you, I once felt invincible. I once felt as though nothing could harm me and I could weather any storm. Homelessness and standing in food lines changed that arrogance. If there is anything for which there is to give Thanks, give your thanks to the million and one people whose paths crossed your own and through one gesture or another, made your life just that much better and gave you that much more comfort and peace.

My experiences these past handful of years have convinced me beyond any doubt that the concept of “pay it forward” is very real. Some of you believe in miracles and others call it Karma. I would like to believe that some of the good I put out there is finding its way back to me. So many people have reached out to my family and I this past year. Friends and strangers alike offered so many little things and some grand gestures which have come together to help us heal and rebuild our lives. We have met some wonderful people, had some great successes in business, and have had the chance to give some of that back. It is the fuel that drives us to do better this year. As for me, for the next twelve months, I will be very thankful if I am given a chance to leave behind me something more than just a trust fund for my children.

In my own life and business one rule has dominated. My employees always ate before my family and my family always ate before me. This is the duty owed by one to those dependant upon him or her for support. We as a nation likewise share this responsibility one to another. A week ago, it was reported that 35 million Americans, or more than twelve percent of all of us go hungry at least part of the time. To me, that is a national shame.

In New York City, they report that for 2005, more than FIFTEEN percent of the residents were unable to buy food. Here, the local fluffy news media made great hay about how local food pantries have barren shelves.

Folks, my prayer this Thanksgiving is that we never have to face this issue again.

Onondaga County has hundreds if not thousands of homeless and hungry people yet our Republican Legislature voted themselves a pay raise. The first order of business after the recent elections was for the Democrats in the New York State Senate to start talking about a pay raise for themselves. Yet, tens of thousands of their constituents go without food and shelter.

I am by no means a wealthy person but yesterday downtown I was asked for some spare change by a homeless person and quickly dismissed their request as I always do. Then I suddenly remembered how someone reached out to me once when I was hungry and penniless. I recalled the misery and horror and absolute humiliation involved in having to beg for food or money. The only option was to empty my pockets and give that woman all the cash I had; nearly a $100.00. As much as we needed that money, I knew that woman needed it more. Just as quickly as I had turned around and gave her the money, I did not even make eye contact and walked away before she realized what had just happened. In some sense, I was trying to help her save some of her pride. If there was only more I could have done but alas, Atlas I am not and there is only so much weight I can carry upon my shoulders.

Before one dollar of an American taxpayer’s money is spent on trips, bridges to nowhere, wars, offices, staff, or pay raises, the first pennies must be spent to assure no human being goes without food, shelter, education, and healthcare. Anything else is a misuse of public funds and a violation of the most basic public trust.

After all, if we can provide dogs with food for Thanksgiving, then we can surely guarantee that humans eat first.

"May the best of your yesterdays be the worst of your tomorrows."