Economy Report - Early October, 2008

We are in a wild world these days. An election of a new president, and the many changes in leadership it will bring, the election of a new House, one third of the senate, the retirement of a now unpopular president, and the worst financial crisis of our time, not to mention a war on two fronts. It is sometimes difficult to see why anyone in their right mind would want to take on all these problems, but there seems to be no shortage of those who want to be the leader.

photo credit: mriggen

Is there a solution, or will we just have our election process, and finally see regular programming on our TV, and let time solve the problems we are facing? Most of us have long since decided who will receive our vote, so who cares about what anyone says or promises to do to get us through this mess? My heart tells me that this one is different, and it makes me sad for our country.

Although it no longer makes much news, we are killing and maiming too many of our fine young people, and like Viet Nam, no one will remember why. I have a young friend who was a Ranger in our army for six years, a former first Sargent, who served multiple tours of Afghanistan and Iraq, was severely wounded by an RPG in Iraq. After long treatment at army hospitals, he was released, but has to wear a colostomy bag, and has to be treated frequently at a VA hospital, just to stay alive! He is fluent in middle eastern languages, wants back in the armed services, and is told there is no place for him. He is a checker at a super market. He is one of the most intelligent people I have known, and this is the best we can do for him? He has no car, and lives in a one room apartment in a small Missouri city.

Our economic problems are beyond belief, and possibly without a solution we can imagine. Already people who have not done anything wrong are suffering with the loss of employment, lack of medical treatment, loss of a roof over their heads, and we don’t know what to do.

I’m saddened by the fact that those who caused this terrible depression are still flying their private jets, going to their many homes in places most of us have never seen, and not even paying income tax on the millions they have made. Just this week, it was announced that executives of AIG, one of the biggest feeders at the public trough are going to be treated to a taxpayer financed retreat at some ritzy spa, and no one seem to have the power to shout “No”!

I’m saddened by the gulf between the rich and those who are truly needy. My heart is heavy when I see homeless children with parents who can’t do anything about it. Winter is upon the land.

Somehow, some way, we can and must do better. The VA can do better. Where is the justice?

Promise to be more upbeat next time.