The Election and the Economy: Where Do We Go From Here?

For most Americans, these past few weeks have been a source of great stress, fear and confusion. Now, these maladies have gone global, where just about everyone is worried about one thing or another. More often than not, I come across a co-worker, a family member or a friend who is having difficulty sleeping at night. These are scary times. As a movie was once titled, I have concluded, 'stop the world...I want to get off....'


McCain asks, who is Barack Obama, but I invite the Senator to answer, today, who is the real John McCain? Once considered an independent thinker, a maverick, he has now become so desperate, calling for change one minute, cancelling his campaign and debate the next, and going back and forth from one subject to another, that I am uncertain who this man is today.

Obama too has gone negative, which is a bit disappointing, and I wish he would stick to the issues that are plaguing the country today, the economy, jobs, and health insurance. It seems to be that he is responding to McCain, and to sit back silently and say nothing would be unwise too.

What is happening on the political front is deeply disturbing for me as well. As so many who read my blog know, politics are a great passion of mine. What I have seen emerge, from both sides now, is a culture of negativity that seems to have taken on a life of its own. As I have been watching the McCain town hall meetings and public gatherings, and hear people yelling, 'kill him,' or proclaim, 'how did you let this happen Senator McCain, it sends chills down my spine, and is reminiscent of a KKK (Klu Klux Klan) rally, with those present inciting hatred and spewing negativity. Why do Palin and McCain allow these individuals to continue speaking? While they shake their heads in agreement with some individuals, those who are so disruptive should be asked, by the candidates themselves, to exit the stage, to be escorted out of the forum. Frankly, I am deeply troubled and scared for America today. Racism, sexism, anti-semitism, all forms of hatred are disconnected from intelligence, and are deeply rooted in the psyche of one's being. These are difficult times.

The stock market, having lost more than 35 percent of its value in a year, with gas prices still high, and Americans loosing their jobs, is so disturbing. More than ever, the middle class is disappearing, and those who felt a sense of security, are now frightened. Who among us has not been daunted by the hugh drop in the stock market this week alone, almost 1800 points? It is terrifying indeed....

So today, where are we, us Americans? Are we on the verge of becoming a third world country because of the economy? Has such hatred and meanness, which we thought may have disappeared years ago, begun to surface again, causing Americans to be seen at their worst rather than their best?

All questions to ponder for today....

Thank you for your minds.