flats, pay me now or pay me later. When the balance is tipped back to the corporate elite, closing one's eyes to this reality brings back the same old problems. Can't eliminate all chiseling by the corporate sector (should we start by indicting the "stock analysts"? - I'd settle for campaign finance reform), and can't eliminate it in all the government programs either. Eliminating all the programs doesn't eliminate all the problems. Just wait until those "faith based" healers get ahold of that dough - Moonie's Corner Sanitarium now open for business. Bring us your crazy, your poor ! Think they'll be willing to work for government wages ?
Prior to the last recession, the main concerns in the annual Bay Area poll were transportation congestion and housing costs. During the recession, crime rapidly took over the top spot, alternating with the economy. Now it's housing costs and transportation. Soon again, I expect it will be crime and making the monthly payments (oh yeah, energy prices too), hastened by the multiplier effect that the new bankruptcy bill will bring on. When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose. Clinton understood this, and did something about it (while staying busy self destructing on the personal front). W. probably understands it all too well also, but doesn't care. Too busy preparing for the next fox hunting trip down to the ranch with the big boys. Greenspan ? Who knows where he's coming from anymore.
Recently, I met a German woman who's been working here for about a year. She thinks America's work culture is done f*cksed up, and is anxious to head back home to a place where she won't feel forced to work late nights, most weekends, and take her pager with her on her infrequent vacation (didn't it used to be that way here ?). She seemed willing to trade that for fewer tv's and cars, and more time with her friends. She didn't feel like she had that choice here. I don't think it's quite that much of an either-or choice, but for some I guess it is. Meanwhile, guess I'll bunker down and get ready for Bush Recession # 2. |
