| Why is it that the groups who bear the most | | | | important than money. |
| financial stress and hardship are families | | | | |
| and the elderly? | | | | So, how did we end up with a system like |
| | | | this? |
| Aren't these our two most precious Human | | | | |
| assets? Our children, the America of | | | | Lack is a very powerful and motivating |
| tomorrow, the apples of our eyes. We all hold | | | | condition. Many who have come from meager |
| children dear, whether they are our own or | | | | beginnings never want to endure it ever |
| someone else's. Even if we have no children, | | | | again. Many who have money are so afraid of |
| we know they are special, they need our | | | | losing it that they will go to any lengths to |
| support and protection through the most | | | | keep it all for themselves. It really does |
| important developmental years. And our | | | | amount to fear, whether you have money or |
| parents, those who raised us, supported us, | | | | not. That is how this money based state of |
| nurtured us, and taught us. Senior citizens | | | | affairs arises and that is how it stays in |
| are our living repository of practical | | | | effect. |
| experience and wisdom. | | | | |
| | | | What can we do about it? |
| But, how are these groups treated by society? | | | | |
| | | | I know. This system has been around for so |
| At least 65% of American children live in | | | | long that it's hard imagine life any other |
| households with an almost unbearable amount | | | | way, but that is exactly where we must start. |
| of financial tension and stress. They have to | | | | Try it now. Can you imagine what life would |
| do without things, like new clothes, really | | | | be like for you if you weren't worried about |
| healthy whole foods, medical insurance, and | | | | money? What would you do? Where would you |
| worst of all, their parents' attention | | | | live? What would your home be like, your |
| because parents must work long, draining | | | | clothes? What would your stress level be |
| hours just to provide food and shelter for | | | | like? You'd be far more relaxed. Go on, |
| their families. We can only hope parents | | | | imagine it now. Take a deep breath and let it |
| don't get hurt or sick, because their little | | | | out feeling as if you didn't have a financial |
| children could be out on the street before | | | | care in the world. |
| they know it! | | | | |
| | | | Now imagine what other people would be like |
| Many retired people are having to face a | | | | if they didn't have to worry about money. |
| harsh reality. After being told they must | | | | They'd be less rude. They'd smile more. You'd |
| work a job for 40 years, to provide for their | | | | hear less yelling amidst your neighbors or |
| old age, they are now finding that there is | | | | even from your own family. Children would be |
| no security in old age, no matter how hard | | | | raised by people who could actually focus on |
| they've worked or how long they've stayed | | | | them for more time everyday, which means the |
| with a particular company. Forced early | | | | adults of tomorrow would be calmer. They'd |
| retirement, bankrupt pension plans, social | | | | have fewer "issues" and hang-ups because they |
| security benefits that aren't enough to live | | | | would grow up feeling they were the most |
| on, and sky high medical costs make old age | | | | important thing in their parents' lives, |
| even more treacherous than famlihood, because | | | | fostering greater self esteem. |
| it's much harder for retirees to find decent | | | | |
| work due to the limitations of age and also, | | | | This is only the first step, but it's very |
| age discrimination. | | | | important. Our focus determines our reality. |
| | | | Thoughts become things. If you can't imagine |
| This is not right and something must be done | | | | a better world, you'll never realize it. We |
| about it immediately! | | | | need everyone's participation here. |
| | | | |
| We get a lot of lip service from government | | | | Act with compassion and integrity |
| and corporations about how they care. They | | | | |
| care about children. They care about | | | | I'll never understand why people with wealth |
| families. They care about senior citizens. | | | | don't seem grateful to the people who made it |
| But, do they really? Based on results, | | | | happen. Behind every million dollar |
| children, families and seniors can only say, | | | | corporation, there are thousands of employees |
| "Yeah, right!" | | | | and customers, without whom there would be no |
| | | | business. Those who have wealth, have it by |
| Look at our politicians, hard at work in | | | | the grace of all. No one can make money all |
| Washington making sure that the richest 10% | | | | by themselves and if you don't believe me, |
| of Americans get tax breaks, giving juicy | | | | try going into a room alone (with no money |
| government contracts to their fat cat buddies | | | | press, phone, fax or Internet ready computer) |
| and trying to enforce an ideology that has no | | | | and see just how much money you can make |
| place in a government devoted to the | | | | without anyone else. |
| separation of church and state. They have | | | | |
| slashed, crippled or mismanaged every social | | | | Every person in America is rich compared to |
| program designed to help families and senior | | | | others around the world. Be grateful for it. |
| citizens. They don't have any plans to | | | | Those who can afford to give to others |
| address the health care crisis in America | | | | without starving, should! Tithing has even |
| because their pharmaceutical buddies really | | | | been shown to be one of the fastest way to |
| like things the way they are. Even victims of | | | | wealth. Give 10% of your income to others |
| overwhelming natural disaster don't seem to | | | | freely and it will come back to you many |
| rate timely government assistance. Our | | | | times over. |
| government today seems to be sending a very | | | | |
| clear message, "If you don't have money, | | | | Vote! |
| you're on your own." | | | | |
| | | | I can't say enough how important it is to pay |
| Corporations smile at us through media and | | | | close attention to politics on every level. I |
| public relations agents while, behind the | | | | know, it's boring, but I am shocked at how |
| scenes, they downsize or mismanage pension | | | | far removed our current administration is |
| plans. "Oops! Sorry. There's just no money | | | | from the common man. How did it happen? It |
| left for you." But, the corporate managers | | | | didn't happen over night. The very |
| have all been paid, and in many cases, each | | | | politicians in office today have long shown |
| one has been paid enough to sustain 5 | | | | their stripes of greed and corruption, but |
| families or more! Is it really necessary to | | | | people voted for them anyway! They certainly |
| have such a disparity between executive and | | | | have lots of friends and very slick public |
| worker salaries? Who works harder? | | | | faces, but anyone who bothered to look at |
| | | | their records could have seen this situation |
| Whatever our purpose in life, I KNOW we were | | | | coming before these guys were elected to more |
| not created to spend our lives consumed with | | | | important offices. |
| working and worrying about money. No religion | | | | |
| on Earth preaches that making money is the | | | | Acting on the recommendations of others (be |
| most important thing in life. Rather, they | | | | they teachers, parents, priests, co-workers, |
| try to impress on us how important people and | | | | whatever,) may seem much easier that |
| relationships are. It is love, fostered | | | | researching candidates for yourself, but look |
| through correct action that makes life worth | | | | where it's gotten us. We must take our |
| living. This is a spiritual concept that | | | | responsibilities to choose our leaders and |
| transcends religion, because people from | | | | vote much more seriously. |
| every religion would agree, people are more | | | | |