The Middle Ages

These times of economic uncertainty rival anything in memory. I am a middle-aged student so my memories contain a little more history than my classroom counterparts do. The only severe economic downturn I can remember that compares is the gas shortages in the early 1970s. We were reliant on foreign oil production and in an effort to further their political goals, the oil-supplying countries severely reduced oil supplies to the United States. This coupled with increasing inflation and a stock market crash resulted in long lines for miles as people waited to receive their gas ration. Fights were common as people struggled to get their allotted allowance of this scarce resource. It was a scary time for many Americans. We had all become accustomed to the luxury of driving when, how, and as far as we wanted.

I see this same fear today as people lose their jobs and are forced from their homes. Our local library seems to be a gathering place for those of the homeless who seek shelter and free services they can no longer afford. In passing, I overheard a conversation of a young man who was sitting outside and a young woman who had stopped to adjust her bundle of books. He had never thought he would be homeless, he just had a home last month, and now he and his family were homeless. I could hear the terrible stress and disbelief in his voice as, in his need to be heard; he stopped anyone who passed near. It is a scary time for many Americans. These are the consequences of an economy in turmoil.

My generation, your generation and your children’s generation face the effects of massive federal fiscal mismanagement. Pork barrel politics, politicians who further their own political agendas at the expense of taxpayers to garner favor with their constituents have been commonplace for years. Our new administration has increased our national debt disproportionately in an effort to halt our economic freefall. The recovery signs are there but attached to them is a high price tag. We need a change. We need a change in our way of thinking about government spending.

We cannot stop our social services. Older generations have long contributed to Social Security and Medicare expecting to rely on those benefits in their retirement years. They are entitled to them. Entitled is a key word when it comes to government social programs. Many Americans have a sense of entitlement. The government owes them something; they are entitled to receive anything and everything the government is handing out; why work for it if the government will give it to us. These services are not “free.” We all pay for them. Education is a key factor in changing these attitudes. As more seek services during these financially trying times they should be made aware this is a helping hand until they can get back on their feet, not a new way of life.

In my opinion, we should stop bailing out companies who have proven they cannot manage their finances. If bailout monies are given the acting management should be required to step down.

Foreign military action should be significantly reduced. We cannot police the world. Emphasis should be placed on areas that are a threat to our national security only.

We should increase the marginal tax rate. Those Americans who can afford to pay more taxes should pay more. The current tax system places more burdens on lower income tax payers.

A reduction or stoppage of social services to illegal immigrants until they attain legal citizenship will significantly reduce social service spending. They are a drain on our social service system. They do not pay into a system that is supporting them.

Social Security and Medicare benefits should be need-based. Those wealthier taxpayers who can afford private medical insurance, and who do not need Social Security to pay their daily living expenses should be phased out. It should be used as a service everyone can utilize when a financial need is shown. This is an unorthodox view, as many taxpayers will not be willing to pay into a system from which they may never receive benefits. We already do that though. We all pay taxes, which pays for low income social services even though we do not all use those services.

Increasing spending on education benefits everyone in society. Through education, we make informed decisions. There is such potential among our youth and this should be encouraged and enabled to grow. It is in our youth our future lies.

Most importantly, everyone should become involved in the political process. If you do not vote, you cannot make a difference. Choose candidates that have a manageable financial plan for our nation’s future. Partisanship will always exist. However, we all need to take a step back and realize we are all striving for the same goal. We all want a successful, strong America.