So its been a few weeks since I wrote a blog, and of course, in all the work, misery, and drudge I've been through lately, you had to know that the "great government bailout of 2008" had to be the issue that motivated me to write again. So here it goes...
I know a family that lost their home, their car, their savings, and all of their pride and dignity because the breadwinner, whom we'll call "dad", got laid off from a job he had for 11 years. The company he worked for became unprofitable, and was forced by its investors to outsource their manufacturing overseas to keep payroll costs down, so they can continue doing business. Dad, being a good citizen and father, took any work he could to keep the bills paid and keep food on the table. Unfortunately, those menial jobs didn't pay enough, and the bills piled up. His credit rating plunged, and the banks closed his delinquent credit card accounts, and refused his request for a loan to keep the home fires burning. Disillusioned and dejected, he was forced to live in a two room basement apartment with his wife and three kids. Now, buying a weeks worth of groceries takes half a paycheck, and gas for his car so he can get to work, takes most of the other half. He is an American citizen. He worked all his adult life. Never committed a crime. Always had respect for others, and raised his children to stay in school, off drugs, and help those who need it. He will continue on under what is sometimes is unbearable pressure, because he has no choice. He loves his family.
If you are better off than this guy, consider yourself lucky. If you think it can't happen to you, think again. The circumstances may be different, but the end result can be the same, or worse.
Today, October 3rd 2008, our government gave $700 billion dollars to the banking and financial institutions of this nation to ensure they remain solvent. But, if you think "Dad" can go and get a loan tomorrow at the local branch of his bank, you're got some serious psychological issues. If you think the economic conditions in the country will now change, stop smoking whatever it is you're on. If you think the credit market will loosen up so the company that Dad worked for can get a loan to keep hiring Americans, wake up- you're dreaming. If you think that the homes of those who are at the edge of foreclosure wil be saved, (it's too late for Dad), you're watching too many happy ending movies. Only the institutions, our banking systems, will be saved, so they can continue to pay their CEO's and senior executives millions, and satisfy the "fat cats'' of the investment markets so they don't lose their millions.
Our "politicians" made a grave financial and moral mistake today. The 700 billion given to guys like Dad would have given every American citizen over the age of 18 about $100,000. They could have paid off their credit cards, bought a car, put a down payment on a home, or paid off some of their mortgage. Now, that's real help for the economy. Most of the money would have gone back to the banks, which would have helped their "insolvency" issues. For our politicians, our leaders, our bureaucrats, that would have been too risky. That would have put the power in the peoples hands. Democracy slowly dies, tyranny is born.
Usually, I have a few jokes or sarcasm in my blogs. This, however is serious stuff. Saving the citizens is what will keep this country going through tough times. They are the country. "By and for the people"; that's what America is. That's what the country was founded on, and that's what we need to keep it alive and great.
One of our founding fathers and former Presidents once said,
"I believe the banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow the banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, than by deflation, the banks, and corporations that will grow up around the banks, will deprive the people of all property, until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered." Thomas Jefferson 1802
If you feel they way I do, I urge you to forward this blog, and your own thoughts, to your elected officials. I urge you to check the Senate and Congressional role on this vote, and not ever re elect those that voted in favor of this bailout. The right to vote is one of the last true unobstructed freedoms we have, and the only one that can really make a difference now.
To all the "dads" of this country, and all those working class citizens and small business owners, keep going no matter what- you will live on long after the banks fail and keep swallowing each other up- you are the true power of the America.
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