Hope and Change

Are you better off today than you were two years ago?

Is your job as secure as you thought? Has your retirement plan maintained its value? Has the market value of your home appreciated? Is college more affordable for your children's education? Is health care less expensive and more available?

Most Americans would have to answer "no" to the above questions, unless, of course, they happen to be a sitting Congressman, employed by the government, or a member of a strong union.

The reality is that unemployment is high, and it's not getting any better. The stock market, which determines the value of your retirement funds is down. Home prices are down in most parts of the country. College costs are increasing. Health insurance costs keep going up. In addition, the US dollar has dropped with respect to most other currencies, so the price of imported goods is up.

Is this the change we were promised? Are we only to hope that things at least get back to where they were? What's happened to the American dream?

Until the government acts to allow job growth to occur in the private sector, things will only continue as they are, unless, of course, they get worse. In the meantime, the government continues to spend more money. Money which it doesn't have. Money which will have to be repaid by you, your children and your grandchildren. It used to be billions, but now it's trillions.

One thing that the government hasn't taken away from you, at least not yet, is the right to vote. There are less than 100 days until Election Day. That is your chance to send Congress a message that you are concerned, worried, and fed up. Make your vote count.