Friday, November 10, 2006
RISING HOPES
Surprise! Two days after the election, gasoline is up ten cents a gallon in most markets. If there is a return of corporate predators, and obscene profits at the expense of American drivers, is there still hope? Do consumers now have friends in government? Dare we hope for a future better than the past six years?
Who may have gained hope from the national election results? Let us take this space to enumerate some who might have increased hope.
All of us, especially those of military age or with sons and daughters of that age, may hope for some effort at resolution of the needless and endless involvement with the internal affairs of Iraq -- perhaps an end to the unwelcome occupation there that is draining lives and substance from us.
Beneficiearies, current and future, of Social Security should feel less anxious about the conversion of their retirement future to risky private investment accounts, and the loss of their disability insurance provisions entirely. Social Security, as we know it, can survive financially with minor adjustments, if it can just survive its political enemies.
The costs of prescription drugs may be forced downward for everyone through opening up legal re-importation, and for Medicare people by allowing the government to use group buying power for its prescription plan -- now the hostage of pharmaceutical companies.
The 45 million or so Americans without health insurance may look with hope toward eventual health coverage. Small and large businesses may look toward some eventual cost sharing for employee health insurance, as plans come forth benefiting all citizens.
Victims of dread diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson's, and victims of brain and spinal injuries, may look with hope toward a loosening of the superstitious fetters placed upon stem cell research for cures.
Those who have made the step from welfare to minimum wage jobs, and other entry level workers, may expect a higher wage for their labor.
Those who are fortunate enough to be minor owners of stock shares, or have savings in mutual funds, may hope for a closer watch on the exorbitant pay and privileges of corporate executives and boards, as well as other insider abuses.
Every concerned citizen, especially those conservatives with wealth and property, may hope for an end to deficit trade, reckless deficit spending, and the growing national and foreign debt of this country -- thus avoiding future financial market panic, mass confusion, and eventual meltdown in bankruptcy.
The middle class may hope for a fair tax system, with fewer tax privileges for corporations and for the wealthiest, and they may hope for a distribution of the profits from their work in a more fair and equitable manner. The may hope for an end to the mushrooming growth of the multi-millionaire class and the shrinking numbers and wages of the middle class.
Perhaps all this is too much to expect from a bare majority in both houses of Congress and an incumbent president who has led the country in the wrong direction for so long.
It may indeed be too much to expect, but it is not too much to hope.
Dr. Edwin E. Vineyard, AKA The Militant Moderate
Who may have gained hope from the national election results? Let us take this space to enumerate some who might have increased hope.
All of us, especially those of military age or with sons and daughters of that age, may hope for some effort at resolution of the needless and endless involvement with the internal affairs of Iraq -- perhaps an end to the unwelcome occupation there that is draining lives and substance from us.
Beneficiearies, current and future, of Social Security should feel less anxious about the conversion of their retirement future to risky private investment accounts, and the loss of their disability insurance provisions entirely. Social Security, as we know it, can survive financially with minor adjustments, if it can just survive its political enemies.
The costs of prescription drugs may be forced downward for everyone through opening up legal re-importation, and for Medicare people by allowing the government to use group buying power for its prescription plan -- now the hostage of pharmaceutical companies.
The 45 million or so Americans without health insurance may look with hope toward eventual health coverage. Small and large businesses may look toward some eventual cost sharing for employee health insurance, as plans come forth benefiting all citizens.
Victims of dread diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson's, and victims of brain and spinal injuries, may look with hope toward a loosening of the superstitious fetters placed upon stem cell research for cures.
Those who have made the step from welfare to minimum wage jobs, and other entry level workers, may expect a higher wage for their labor.
Those who are fortunate enough to be minor owners of stock shares, or have savings in mutual funds, may hope for a closer watch on the exorbitant pay and privileges of corporate executives and boards, as well as other insider abuses.
Every concerned citizen, especially those conservatives with wealth and property, may hope for an end to deficit trade, reckless deficit spending, and the growing national and foreign debt of this country -- thus avoiding future financial market panic, mass confusion, and eventual meltdown in bankruptcy.
The middle class may hope for a fair tax system, with fewer tax privileges for corporations and for the wealthiest, and they may hope for a distribution of the profits from their work in a more fair and equitable manner. The may hope for an end to the mushrooming growth of the multi-millionaire class and the shrinking numbers and wages of the middle class.
Perhaps all this is too much to expect from a bare majority in both houses of Congress and an incumbent president who has led the country in the wrong direction for so long.
It may indeed be too much to expect, but it is not too much to hope.
Dr. Edwin E. Vineyard, AKA The Militant Moderate
