Today s Value of the Dollar
Everything seems to revolve around money in today's society. How much you earn, what kind of portfolio do you have, and what is your bottom line permeate conversations, news stories, and TV and radio broad- casts.
It isn't only individuals who spend money or even cor- porations and stores. Our government spends money that is collected from working men/women and most is earmarked for certain programs, departments, or projects, not to mention the salaries paid to government officials from the White House to the people who do the work behind the scenes - the cooks, cleaning personnel and auxiliary staff. While families budget and try to make ends meet, the largest spender of our money, namely the government, does not seem to care how much is used because there is a steady supply of new money coming in through taxes and other government demands. Take for example the war in Iraq. In all honesty, how can we pour billions more into a war that seems to have no end, with leaders who cannot decide what is right or wrong, and a country that takes more than money, but the lives of our men/women as well. While supporting the troops that are there with whatever they need and earmarking funds to take care of the wounded once they come home, why is so much money being placed in a "program" that does not have the public's support and is a political baseball that is batted when publicity and votes matter. Just for a second, imagine that the literally billions of hard-eanred money is used to make sure that our children can get the education they need to compete in a technological world, that seniors get their medications without opting to give up food or housing to get it, and the poor among us, such as the homeless or even the victims of Katrina have the funds needed to live life with at least the basics. What about health-care? If the cost of medical attention keeps rising, that would be more than enough money to make sure that everyone can make themselves available to a doctor, hospital or facility without losing their homes and their pride.
The war in Iraq is to the point that the elected officials talk the talk but stop when it comes to walk the walk. Would they honestly like to place their children or their loved ones in harm's way or would the bickering over bills and issues to end something that was brought about dishonestly and without remorse by those whose agenda dicated that this be done but they were not affected by the toll it would take. Yet the President, Vice President and senators travel and appear on talk shows and at luncheons stating their stand but saying very little about the nitty gritty everyday concerns of the citizens that put them in office or pay their high salaries and "perk" benefits. They seem to dress just fine and travel and dine at the best of places, but we don't ever really see them trying to cut costs and save money for the guy or gal whose house is being repossessed, or whose grandmother lives in poverty because she needs an assortment of pills to try and live a normal life. There are no outcries or bemoans about the costs that working people cannot afford, such as gas prices or food costs. Don't you just love it when the spotlight is on your government official finishing up a sumptious banquet of food, and wearing a suit that you couldn't afford or a hairstyle that the neighborhood hair place would certainly not be able to duplicate for you. You sit there with your warmed over beef stew and go through your pockets so that your child's lunch money is available in the morning, or your sitter gets paid because tomorrow is Friday. You warm up to the first figure on your pay stub (before taxes) and it feels good, but soon you realize that the Net Box won't cover the house payment in just one check.
Iraq was a chain of undercover deceptions to let certain individuals accomplish whatever it was they wanted to, or felt they had to. Where would everyday Joe or Jane be if they changed important documents, or swore on facts and figures that they knew were incorrect. Also, just a thought - it took our hard-earned money to pay for the television time to tell us the lies and falsehoods that we listened to. That just causes the injury to bleed a bit more. Would we not be punished without question if we violated the Constitution or laws of the land even though our minds told us we are free and have the right to do so? If we commit a crime, could we make excuses and continue in our high-paying job because the money is there and even though we made poor judgment we are still able to decide where everyone else's money goes and who gets what?
Next Friday when you realize how your paycheck cannot cover your expenses to provide the kind of life you want for yourself and those you love, think about those who don't worry, fret, and cut corners. It just may make you upset a bit - but upset enough to make sure that they are aware of your feelings and complaints. After all, you are paying the bill and the benefits are their's. I'm sure that if the tables were turned around, you would hear loud and clear cries from the bleachers if you enjoyed life to the fullest on someone else's money and day to day workday.
There is nothing wrong is making yourself heard - the only trouble is while people decide if they want to call attention to the outright and bold faults of the elected, the bill for their homes, families and future still comes out of your check. So isn't it time you speak up and make yourself a voice that wants to make things right for everyone - from babies to teens on to parents, grand- parents and those who fall in between. Isn't it a shame that our infrastructure is decaying and diasters leave people out in the cold right on our shores, but embassies worth billions are built around the world to house a few chosen who don't even think about the hours you put in so that they can live the lives they are used to and their children don't do without. Just a thought!
Arleen is the owner of A & J Northwoods, a gourmet food, gift and book shop. She has written numerous articles on living life on purpose and enjoying every minute of it.
Arleen M. Kaptur
March,
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
No Money for Old Men: Tommy Lee Jones sues studio for $10m - Independent
ABC News No Money for Old Men: Tommy Lee Jones sues studio for $10m Independent, UK - By Amol Rajan As sheriff Ed Tom Bell, he risked death in the fight for justice, pursuing Javier Bardem's psychotic murderer across the desolate and lawless ... Tommy Lee Jones Says No Money From No Country More Like 'No Money for Old Men': Tommy Lee Jones Sues Paramount No Money For Old Men: Tommy Lee Jones sues film makers for $10m -