Greetings from
The Publisher . . .
Finding Thanksgiving in “Interesting”
and Chaotic Times
One thing about living in interesting times is that there is never a lack of things to think about or write about, especially this month.
I feel a bit conflicted with how Thanksgiving fits with an election and current politics. Nearly every Republican in a formal leadership role on the federal level is under investigation or indicted. That means the head of the Senate, the House and the V-P. There are even rumors about the President joining that list.
I think most of us would just as soon have things move along efficiently without us. I mean things that seem beyond our singular control, such as roads and traffic, water and air quality, our health-care system or lack of one, war and peace. What's the use, right? “What difference can I make” is where many of us land.
Most of us simply have very full, busy, complicated lives without having to keep track of whether or not the public is being taken advantage of or not. Are we, the us in U.S., being represented?
All too often, the answer is no. Worse, it's deliberately confusing. Voting on California Propositions often means voting “yes” for what you don't want and “no” for what you do. We need to know that the Citizens Movement for Clean Air may have more corporate members than citizen members. There is no such organization, to my knowledge, but I think we've all seen how creative committee names can be.
The other way we're misled is that the news reports what people say more than what people do. The hurricane-torn Gulf States are a good example.
The President's plans are front-page news. Does FEMA follow through? That takes digging to find or is only found on the internet.
The news is that FEMA has bought thousands of mobile homes for hurricane victims. A little digging tells us that many are sitting unused because an on-site inspection is required, which includes proof that there is running water and electricity available—and there isn't.
What? They want to make sure the mobile home has a good home? The more you need it the less you qualify? I guess it's like the less qualified you are for office the more apt you are to run—or work for FEMA.
It's telling that in the path of Wilma (it hasn't hit yet) is a place called FEMA City. It was built after Hurricane Charley hit Florida over a year ago. The area the residents used to live in—Punta Gorda, FL—is mostly rebuilt. Former residents, however, stay in FEMA City because they can't afford the upgrade. The needs of the people—more than 1,500 of them—have been ignored. In Florida alone, 7,640 FEMA mobile homes or trailers have been housing people displaced by hurricanes for more than a year.
Is the solution to turn America into a trailer park?
We also hear big money is spent on contracts to rebuild the Gulf. Sometimes we hear the same companies that are making the most money in Iraq, are getting no-bid contracts here. Or later we find that companies are not from the Gulf area and aren't hiring locals. Already corruption and payoffs have been uncovered.
While it's easy to blame this on a lack of integrity, or greed, the more I watch this the more I wonder if health care might affect this too. We also know that, no matter how well we take care of ourselves, we age. We need medical care eventually. Meanwhile more and more companies are eliminating health-care benefits they have promised retirees—without repercussions. If we are lucky enough not to be in an accident or die early, we will most likely face medical bills that could cripple us, and/or our family, financially. Now there is no ability to file for bankruptcy to escape.
It's becoming more and more obvious that caring for ourselves is not just smart, it may be the only option. Our government seems to have no problem seeing people on the streets or living in gyms.
I'm beginning to wonder if the corruption we see on the smaller level—not the largest corporations, such as the VP's Halliburton—is some people's attempt to take care of “your own” in a system that lacks caring or concern for where people end up.
While I used to be more critical of this, I wonder if it isn't more about survival or people choosing between surviving and ethics. Does the lack of an adequate health care system contribute to an attitude of “take care of yourself?” If we did have a health care system, would our fear of the future be as great? I'm not condoning corruption, I'm wondering about the motivation and a system that invites it.
The more I look at this the harder it is to be in a Thanksgiving mode—and there is a lot for me to be thankful for. It is troubling that rebuilding Iraq takes priority over rebuilding America and helping Americans with basic survival needs.
We seem to have reached a new low in caring for fellow citizens who have literally been in the streets without food and water through no fault of their own. We all know fires, mudslides and earthquakes could put us in the same position.
The government seems unable to do anything meaningful, but they can move money around. It is “newsworthy” that Congress is rebuilding the Gulf by cutting spending. It's outrageous that it means cutting programs that help low-income families, such as cuts to Medicaid, the National School Lunch Program, the State Children's Health Insurance Program, Medicare and food stamps. Making tax cuts for the most wealthy of us is still a priority, and the new mantra is “don't burden our children with debt.” Why now? Where is the humanity? Most likely, only in its name. The End Poverty for Children bill?
We have a lot to be thankful for when we consider what it is like for hurricane victims, our country's poor, and those fighting in Iraq.
I think we have to be thankful for living in the information age. It is harder for those who would keep secrets or hide their activities. We get to be more aware, less surprised and hopefully more prepared.
We reprinted some exerts from a Hay House book this month titled Gratitude: A Way of Life by Louise Hay and friends. It's a great reminder of the power of living Thanksgiving. One thought by retired minister Tom Costa stuck with me: “You cannot be grateful and unhappy at the same time. It's emotionally impossible.”
I had to wonder if it's possible to live in gratitude while being aware of how corrupt or self-indulgent our leaders are. I think it is, without being out of touch.
The bad news is the system is set up to allow individuals with lots of friends and/or money, to influence the governing process.
The good news is the system is set up to allow individuals with lots of friends and/or money, to influence the governing process.
When we focus on the former, we become victims. Focusing on the latter, the good news, we discover we have lots of friends who don't like the direction we are going and the values it reflects. One poll stated 67% of us say this is not their idea of America. What difference can one person make? By joining with friends we find out.
The good news is that the internet provides alternative sources of information, keeps us informed and allows us to participate—vote—almost everyday.
More and more there are examples of how the “decision makers” react to us/US. That's good news—and a way to be grateful and happy in seemingly chaotic times. Vote Nov. 8. They notice that too.
Have a great/full month,
Steve Hays
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