While looking at all the election results I had a big shock. I ran across this report: America's Underclass: The Growing Gap Between the Rich and Poor This is certainly not news to any of us, but the fact they just come out and say it is a bit rare in my experience. I spend a lot of time reading the junk out there so things like this really catch my eye:
Macro economic data suggest the great recession is over. But the gap between the haves and the have-nots is growing, thanks, in large part, to a jobless recovery.
Read on for more.
If you are able, please help me understand what it means for a recession to be over yet the only people this seems to benefit are the already well off. Recessions are not times that the well off suffer in any way so their end is certainly not that big an event when compared with has been happening all along to those who are forced to suffer so they can be wealthy. There is a ring of social Darwinism or something like it when you think about it.
I speak as one who really only knew there was a recession going on because of the people I know who were hurt by it. The fat cats around me moaned and groaned a lot, but did not really get hurt in any way. When you have more money than ten or more families who work hard for their money and still can't seem to make ends meet and then you loose some of that abundance are you really hurting? I guess it is all in the eye of the beholder.
As we review the election results and, in many cases, rejoice, a bit of perspective is always helpful. The Obama administration has been talking about this kind of problem for a long time. Things do move slowly, yet where are the signs that this trend will end let alone be reversed? There seem to be none.
A lot of effort and money went into Obama's election. A lot went into today's results. A lot will go into November's struggle. Resources, time, effort, etc. will be consumed again. Is it possible that we will go on doing this forever and still the rich will get richer and more powerful and the rest will hurt even more?
I don't know the answer. I see no sign that anyone else does either. That makes me very sad.
Oh yes, and that nasty oil thing seems to be over. Or at least it seems to be forgotten. Does that go for climate change and the banks and the rest of the decay in our system? Did today's election put us significantly closer to solving these crucial problems in time? there is not a lot of time if you believe the reports that are being made over and over again.
Tell me please. How will we do this? Elect a few more good guys? That will do it? I am sorry. I do not believe that. Please show me that I am wrong. It will make the rejoicing today a lot easier for me to join.