My best selling photo on iStock is a foreclosure headline. It’s a best seller not only because of the timely subject, but because I put it up long before the crisis hit the rest of the country. And I was able to put it up there long before the rest of country knew what was coming because my home state of Michigan was the canary in the economic coal mine. The foreclosure crisis, unemployment, and the overall slowing of the economy took hold here over a year ago and as it began squeezing the life out of the financial health of our state we wondered why nobody seemed to notice or care.
Over the past two years we have watched helplessly as the recession has spread throughout our country and has gone on to become a global economic crisis. As I listen to our politicians (and many of my friends ) argue about the answers along strident partisan lines, that feeling of helplessness only seems to grow. Call me naive, but as far as I am concerned we are not a country of Democrats and Republicans, and the last time I looked on a map, our country was not divided up by red states and blue states. We are the United States of America and we are Americans first and foremost, and all those economic statistics that are being thrown around in Washington are not just numbers, they are people’s lives unraveling bit by bit.
Sometimes I think about what I would say if I could stand up in front of Congress, if I only had a minute to let my voice be heard by the people we have chosen to stand guard over this beautiful country we Americans call home. But the truth is, I don’t know what I could say that would have any impact on the way Washington does business. And maybe that’s the heart of the problem, this feeling that we have put our trust in the hands of men and women who have all but forgotten us. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not without hope. I do believe that things will eventually get better and I also believe that we have a new president who is striving to lead with a sincere sense of principle and service.
Okay, I’m hopping off the soapbox and getting back to work, gotta make some money to help pay those mortagage payments. The YouTube video is of John Rich who wrote a great new song about Detroit and our country’s current economic troubles. If you don’t want to hear the interview part, just click on the round button and slide it to about the 2:50 mark.🙂
bookbabie 
We had all better remember we are Americans and take action. Even Elementary school students have more economic understanding than our elected leaders. Time for some Tea Parties. I for one am tired of footing the bill for an increasing number of non-productive losers. We can’t bail out our economy with Monopoly money. Pappy
Thank-you for visiting. I am reading all your post. …m..
Well, do you feel better after watching Obama’s address last night?
I have to say I watched with much skeptism as I want to believe – I really want to believe (that ‘s my Pollyanna side) but I also believe that egos and greed have taken a front seat –
You are right, we are not a divided nation and the elected officials are too busy still worrying about special interests – I am sure there are individuals that are trying but this ellite group needs to be the majority.
Off my soapbox now – thanks for providing a space for me to “sound off” =)
Hi! Thanks for visiting my site and leaving a kind comment! My husband even came over and listened to the song.
I see you read Betsy’s blog so that is how you must have come by me? I also read “Gluten Free Girl’s blog … not because I need to be gluten free but I enjoy some of their recipes and tips and videos!