I am going to make an assumption. Americans of all types, sizes,
ethnic origins, and beliefs are worried. In fact I think they are very
worried. The question is what are they worrying about?
The Economy.
Sure, the economy is a headline that is starting to move to a position of above the fold in the American mindset. By the time this is published, oil may well have hit $100 a barrel and that means gas prices are going to find a new home in the well above $3.00 range. Americans don't believe the oil company rationale for such increases. This pogo pricing stratagem--where prices take a big jump and then settle back at a higher price prior to the jump that will now seem "cheap" to the consumer-- is eating away at the family budget more than any single item. Americans watch as other counties develop new reserves while Congress refuses to pursue and support drilling in known productive US areas. Congress has also turned a blind eye on a Manhattan Project approach to drill for new sources; reduction of grades to improve delivery to the consumer; and construction of new refining facilities.
The home mortgage crisis is moving into other areas of consume financing with Ford Motor Credit Company and others reporting record defaults. Credit card defaults will likely follow. Will Congress finally investigate bank fees, interest rates, and collusion between credit card companies or will the focus still be on investigations lost in American importance five miles west of Washington? Will news media debate panel members finally start asking the tough questions now going unanswered?
The Threats.
Can there be more important issues than border security and terrorism? Few, if any candidates for the Presidency will touch these issues because the Democrats want new voter registrations and the Republicans want cheap labor. Sneaking in between the blind eyes of both parties are people in the smuggling pipeline who have no interest in jobs that Americans won't do. Terrorist groups continue to bring new members into the country and in my mind, our risk for another attack is growing, not shrinking. The debate focus is on drivers licenses and abortion flip-flops rather than on threats that will kill real Americans. Terrorists couldn't help but notice what fires did in California. Will that soon become a weapon of choice? Are news members who ask debate questions doing anything about it?
Americans are worried and have a right to be. They have lost their representative government to media popularity contests and single focus personal vendettas hammered away daily on conservative radio talks shows. The rest of the country is stuck in the middle hoping there will be enough money to pay for gas; safe trips to the local mall; and the grim reality that a terrorist generated fire, a train derailment, or a nuclear explosion won't kill us all.
May God please help the United States of America because the elected officials who should be worried are too busy with beltway finger pointing and political bellowing. Most Americans could care less about. They have other things to worry about.
The Economy.
Sure, the economy is a headline that is starting to move to a position of above the fold in the American mindset. By the time this is published, oil may well have hit $100 a barrel and that means gas prices are going to find a new home in the well above $3.00 range. Americans don't believe the oil company rationale for such increases. This pogo pricing stratagem--where prices take a big jump and then settle back at a higher price prior to the jump that will now seem "cheap" to the consumer-- is eating away at the family budget more than any single item. Americans watch as other counties develop new reserves while Congress refuses to pursue and support drilling in known productive US areas. Congress has also turned a blind eye on a Manhattan Project approach to drill for new sources; reduction of grades to improve delivery to the consumer; and construction of new refining facilities.
The home mortgage crisis is moving into other areas of consume financing with Ford Motor Credit Company and others reporting record defaults. Credit card defaults will likely follow. Will Congress finally investigate bank fees, interest rates, and collusion between credit card companies or will the focus still be on investigations lost in American importance five miles west of Washington? Will news media debate panel members finally start asking the tough questions now going unanswered?
The Threats.
Can there be more important issues than border security and terrorism? Few, if any candidates for the Presidency will touch these issues because the Democrats want new voter registrations and the Republicans want cheap labor. Sneaking in between the blind eyes of both parties are people in the smuggling pipeline who have no interest in jobs that Americans won't do. Terrorist groups continue to bring new members into the country and in my mind, our risk for another attack is growing, not shrinking. The debate focus is on drivers licenses and abortion flip-flops rather than on threats that will kill real Americans. Terrorists couldn't help but notice what fires did in California. Will that soon become a weapon of choice? Are news members who ask debate questions doing anything about it?
Americans are worried and have a right to be. They have lost their representative government to media popularity contests and single focus personal vendettas hammered away daily on conservative radio talks shows. The rest of the country is stuck in the middle hoping there will be enough money to pay for gas; safe trips to the local mall; and the grim reality that a terrorist generated fire, a train derailment, or a nuclear explosion won't kill us all.
May God please help the United States of America because the elected officials who should be worried are too busy with beltway finger pointing and political bellowing. Most Americans could care less about. They have other things to worry about.
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