The finale of 2011 is here — and As I see It none too
soon. I will say 2011 had just begun to show possible signs
of a little recovery, but little is not nearly enough.
Our
country has been going backward the past several years, resulting
in many of our citizens being backed against the
wall. When we see our friends, relatives and neighbors losing
their homes, cars and other belongings, it’s hard to
understand how we have reached this level of stagnation.
Many hard working family people have lost everything. Though
they work as hard as possible to keep up, they are now homeless.
The sight of a family living under a bridge, in a cardboard
shack or old car is heartbreaking. What is being done to help
them?
It’s
true, families over-extended themselves. Two income households
and overtime pay were partly to blame
and families
became dependent on an income level they thought would
last well into the future. They had no conception the
money would
be cut back or stop flowing altogether. They got caught
up in the terrible repercussions of their actions but
why should
innocent children have to suffer so severely?
Why
can’t our government help them? We help people in
need all around the world. Every time a disaster strikes, the
U.S. rushes in with aid. Why, when our own families are in
dire need here at home, in our country, can’t
we help? We obsess about countries which have been
at war
for hundreds
of years, sending our boys to help fight their battles
and die for them.
We spend millions on equipment and use drones and planes to
keep an eye out for problems of others. Why not look at our
problems?
The citizens of our country have spent a great amount of our
time observing a long list of candidates as they provide their
opinions about various things that need to be done. None of
them have suggested helping our homeless.
They seek the support of the party that seems to have lost
touch with the people they hope will elect them.
We have dutifully watched the large number of debates that
for the most part had candidates displaying childish behavior
and expressing foolish opinions. Few of the debates resulted
in a clear plan about how to correct any of our problems, there
was just a lot of blame-throwing toward the other candidates
and those presently in office.
We
seem to have a governmental body that appears to have the
power to help the middle class,
but only displays
concern for
the upper class and those who made big donations
to their
party’s
campaigns. Much of the political news this past year has consisted
of various people name calling and judging others, buck passing,
plus an occasional “oops” or “sorry” thrown
in.
This past month, with the first real public poll coming up
in Iowa, back stabbing has been added to the list. I believe
those who win, or come in second or third, should be allowed
to continue. The rest of the gang of empty, never having a
decent thought, talkers should go home and forget about getting
elected to any position higher than dog catcher.
If
we get rid of the obvious losers and cut the TV coverage
of those who can’t
remember why they are running, it would
help get 2012
off to
a better
start.
The
year-end surge and strength displayed in the stock market
is great, but we need
to be
aware
it has displayed
big runs
up and down this past month. One good
thing about the New Year is that we only have
10 months and
six days
until
the election.
Let’s hope after the whiners and complainers have gone
home, the parties learn to work together – if there are
two parties left. By election time we can only hope we can
elect someone capable of running OUR country, someone who does
not send and spend everything overseas. Perhaps a little better
employment opportunities will allow 2012 to be the year we
begin to look out for ourselves. I’m
hopeful it will be a year of real recovery,
creating
a HAPPY NEW
YEAR and
a better life for all.
Finally, I want to wish Tribune Editor Mike Bogan the best
of luck in his new endeavor. Those of us who work with the
paper will sure miss him.