Yearly Archives: 2014

It’s the eve of elections and it’s a struggle to recall a significant take-away or a key issue from the campaign trail – on the local, state or national levels.

There has been plenty of finger-pointing, posturing and name-calling. Yet, little mention of the economy, jobs, national security and other issues important to the average American.

It’s unusual during political season, but it just seems much more desperate. Really, six months ago who would have thought Ebola would be a dominant issue in the debates?

As pundits and pollsters are betting on whether Republicans will take control of the Senate Tuesday, others are wondering whether it will matter.

The public’s regard for electeds – Democrats and Republicans alike – and Washington in general is shamefully low. The malaise, the distrust, the disgust. Pathetic indeed.

After all is said and done – and with all the billions spent – Wednesday will just be Wednesday. It likely will take a few days to tally all the results, but will we be better off than we are today, on the eve of elections, if Republicans take the Senate or if Dems hold on? Will it make a difference?

It does make for good debates, of course, and the mudslinging for good headlines.

As Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas, head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee said, “These are good times for reporters.”

Perhaps. But not good times for America.

The latest unemployment report would seem to indicate a steady improvement in the nation’s job market. It’s a naïve assessment, at best.

While an uptick in hiring, even a marginal one, bodes well for the economy, and a drop in the unemployment rate sounds encouraging, the fact is many of the unemployed have simply given up the hunt.

That skews the numbers, as the government does not count the jobless unless they are actively seeking work.

It seems counter-intuitive.

And why are so many people giving up the search? Frustration is likely one reason. Even for the most optimistic, how many rejections can you digest?

Pride is another culprit. Many of the displaced have taken the fall and their egos have suffered the slings. With confidence shaken, dare you put yourself back out there?

You’re stale, like a house aging on the market with nary a nibble.

And then there’s the “screw it” mentality. Fed up with the establishment and hell-bent on defying reality.

And for those of us so removed from “them,” why should we care? Our work lives go on – with or without them.

Why do they matter?

We’ll see.

The “growing divide” between the haves and have-nots is gaining new appeal for Democrats and has become the ammo of choice for potshots across both sides of the aisle.

No doubts, trumpeting inequality as an issue of national importance will intensify as we head into the mid-term elections.

Yet for all the campaign rhetoric the fact is the divide exists, it is widening, it is troubling and is a worthy cause for attention. (more…)