I have spent the last two days rummaging around looking for a missing Borders Gift Card so I can use it before the evil liquidators take over in the morning, sending thousands onto the unemployment rolls, and of course making more money for Wall Street in the process. All we are is a blurb on their sheet that interferes with maximizing their profit margin. “Cut that useless bit out,” etc, etc.
While not searching for the near impossible I consider the fact that by a month's end I will be kicked off state health care. Once again Wall Street needs to gets its money and by doing so sends the rest of us to a premature demise. Not that I had good health care, but it was nice to have the idea that I could go and have something checked out by someone even if they would dismiss any growing concerns about x, y, or z. “Oh you are perfectly healthy.” Never mind the fact that my neck is swollen and my veins feel like they are on fire. Nope, fine and dandy. Next!
I would like to go back and finish a degree. Sadly that opportunity may be gone. I have ideas, good intentions, and sometimes “the edge” to get things done. No one wants a geographer these days or a historian either. Public education gets whittled away as Wall Street demands more “for profits” instead. Got to pad that bottom line again.
In the midst of tossing away old newspapers I come across a title, “Life is About People, Not $$$$$$$$s” The article sounds promising but isn't really. If I feel up to the challenge I could rewrite it. But who really cares these days?
Bit by bit, bolt by bolt, they are dismantling the bridge that we have come to know as America. For awhile you can continue to drive over it. Maybe the deck sags or the trusses sway as supports have been sent to the metal yard so Wall Street can make more money. When people can still cross someone decides to have a big bonfire on the deck burning up a sizable section. Making it to the other side becomes a hassle avoiding the gaping holes as the vibrations become nasty. Eventually the piers are broken and the whole thing tumbles into the abyss. Health care, education, jobs, and of course kindness chipped away until nothing is left.
Naturally there are those advocating leaving for distant shores, nice if you have money, or speak the language. Unfortunately too many countries including named allies hate America and its people. Ten years of foreign policy works wonders. My brother could not get accepted to a doctorate program overseas even though he graduated from two previous programs at the top of his class. I would like to venture up to Canada but what I would like to do and what ends up happening are two different things. My grandfather two biggest regrets were not visiting Greece and living to be 100. My father wanted to see Kilimanjaro in person. Personally I would like to make a positive difference in the world. I thought I could do that with historical buildings and structures, or volunteering, or … something.
I promised a friend I would plug onwards, regardless of what happens. But losing … over and over … is so frustrating and it wears on you. Most of the rest of us are losing or facing personal hardships too. In the morning more people will be out of a job, a job they have come to know and love. “It's over,” a manager at one Borders said sadly trying not to choke up.
It is all adding up, a thousand here, a few million there, a cut here, benefits slashed … and without support, we will fall. But Wall Street of course will be selling tickets to the event.
Conclusion: There are groups out there for various faiths, interests, race, gender, etc. By banding together the sum becomes greater than one. However let us say that a preservation group trying to buy farmland to prevent it from becoming a strip mall needs funding. Those monies are being diverted to the wrong people, those who are now selling tickets to an Armageddon of their own making.
I am not sure how to end this but another friend recommended the phrase, “If you have no voice, scream.” Perhaps if we all scream someone will listen … maybe.