Last Wednesday after another edition of the newspaper you are now reading had been completed, my better half and I made embarked on our weekly ritual of going to lunch.
Working man ignored in tough times
As we settled in for our meal, which usually does not occur until well past 12, our conversation turned toward current events and politics, as is often the case. On this day the economy was one of the topics we talked about for a good while.
With numerous businesses continuing to close their doors and with several people losing their jobs on a daily basis, we both agreed the current state of affairs is unlike anything either of us has seen in our lives. While the two of us have not been around for the longest amount of time in the grand scheme of things, it baffles both of us just how the economy could have reached such a sorry state of affairs.
The housing market seems to hold a large percent of the blame as when it crumbled, the economy took a freefall. However, other factors are certainly playing roles.
Of course, politicians and those who lean toward one side of the political spectrum like to point fingers.
“It’s their fault,” one side will quickly say.
“No, it’s their fault,” the other side will respond in rapid fashion.
Back and forth the bickering goes while more and more businesses, some of which have been open for decades and multiple generations close their doors. Back and forth the finger pointing goes while hard working families are suffering with no end in sight.
Personally, I’d like to give them all the finger for their finger pointing and unwillingness to get this situation back on track. So often the working man and working woman are left behind. Families are suffering and all politicians want to do is point fingers and take sides.
The recent stimulus package proposed by Barack Obama is a great example. Not one Republican voted for the bill although it still passed. Now are you telling me that not a single Republican felt there was any merit in that proposal? Are you trying to convince me this was not about taking sides in a political battle? You’ll sooner convince me to buy some ocean front property in Nebraska.
It’s funny how these Republicans didn’t mind voting for the stimulus package and bailouts the previous president proposed, even though taxpayer funds were being used. I guess those were OK since he was a Republican. Give me a break.
Meanwhile, our economy shows no signs of climbing out of its recession (please no more talk from the right-wingers on the radio trying to tell me we are not in a recession) and the working families are still in a major bind. Can the politicians, for once, put the politics behind them and do what is best for the citizens of this country?
I long for a day when there is no voting along party lines. I long for the day when the citizens are put first. If not during these brutal economic times then when?
As we move forward into 2009, we can only hope things will begin to improve. We can also only hope politicians will see beyond party lines and begin to put the American citizens first. Until that time comes, look for more votes like the recent one we had where not one Republican supported the President’s proposal. In a time when families are hurting, now is not the time to be waving a banner for your political party.
With numerous businesses continuing to close their doors and with several people losing their jobs on a daily basis, we both agreed the current state of affairs is unlike anything either of us has seen in our lives. While the two of us have not been around for the longest amount of time in the grand scheme of things, it baffles both of us just how the economy could have reached such a sorry state of affairs.
The housing market seems to hold a large percent of the blame as when it crumbled, the economy took a freefall. However, other factors are certainly playing roles.
Of course, politicians and those who lean toward one side of the political spectrum like to point fingers.
“It’s their fault,” one side will quickly say.
“No, it’s their fault,” the other side will respond in rapid fashion.
Back and forth the bickering goes while more and more businesses, some of which have been open for decades and multiple generations close their doors. Back and forth the finger pointing goes while hard working families are suffering with no end in sight.
Personally, I’d like to give them all the finger for their finger pointing and unwillingness to get this situation back on track. So often the working man and working woman are left behind. Families are suffering and all politicians want to do is point fingers and take sides.
The recent stimulus package proposed by Barack Obama is a great example. Not one Republican voted for the bill although it still passed. Now are you telling me that not a single Republican felt there was any merit in that proposal? Are you trying to convince me this was not about taking sides in a political battle? You’ll sooner convince me to buy some ocean front property in Nebraska.
It’s funny how these Republicans didn’t mind voting for the stimulus package and bailouts the previous president proposed, even though taxpayer funds were being used. I guess those were OK since he was a Republican. Give me a break.
Meanwhile, our economy shows no signs of climbing out of its recession (please no more talk from the right-wingers on the radio trying to tell me we are not in a recession) and the working families are still in a major bind. Can the politicians, for once, put the politics behind them and do what is best for the citizens of this country?
I long for a day when there is no voting along party lines. I long for the day when the citizens are put first. If not during these brutal economic times then when?
As we move forward into 2009, we can only hope things will begin to improve. We can also only hope politicians will see beyond party lines and begin to put the American citizens first. Until that time comes, look for more votes like the recent one we had where not one Republican supported the President’s proposal. In a time when families are hurting, now is not the time to be waving a banner for your political party.
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#1
jdub
on
02/07/09 at 03:26 AM
[Reply]
How can Mr. Bridges sit and type this type of hypocritical nonsense. He urges us not to wave a party flag in a article completly bashing one particular party. He failed to mention that several democrats also failed to support the presidents stimulas package, and that the majority of the democrats that supported the package did so with the statement they would vote for anything the president proposed in order to show solidarity in the democrat party. And as Mr Bridges did err that four republicans did vote yes for the original package and only voted no after it was loaded with earmarks. He also fails to mention that this stimulas package is completly different than the first package passed last year. Last years package was passed with a specific purpose and time line for spending with no provisions for the companies using the money except that they would be expected to repay the money (which some are already doing). The new package focuses more on undesignated spending and earmark projects that will do nothing to stimulate the economy. More than 1 billion dollars is set to be spent on research for global warming, not exactly something that will create a boost in consumer spending and confidence. Also the president has marked a large portion of the money has been designated for future projects not yet in place over the next 24-48 months. Seems that Mr. Bridges was more intent on bashing the republican party and then expecting that the readers would suddenly abandon our less government is better government beliefs.