To save a nation, what will it take? Part III

To save a Nation, what will it take? We continue from part two where we looked at the poorest of nations and considered what it would be like to live in one of them. I don’t know about you, but when I count up the marbles it’s pretty obvious that our country has most of them. So, considering that I am not at the bottom of the food chain, I have a decision to make – am I satisfied with not being at the bottom of the food chain or not? Yes, I am not satisfied. I’m glad I’m not at the bottom of the food chain, but I am also smart enough to know that it’s only a few political mis-steps and a few generations away, or not even that much, and we could find ourselves arriving at the bottom of the food chain with a thud if the people don’t stay on top of the situations in Washington, DC and our state and local capitols.

Let’s talk about inflation. OK, what is the rate of inflation? Is it 8.6% annually as the Feds tell us or is it the 12+% that the media tells us. We can never know for sure, but a published rate has no bearing on it anyway because the inflation rate is different for each individual incident. The inflation actually depends on where your personal spending takes place. For instance, if you drive a vehicle long distances to work, consider that your personal cost will be affected by the fact that a year or so ago you were paying $3.12 per gallon. Now you are paying $4.977 per gallon. Ready for this, 63.27% inflation. Now, you must consider that along with the 8.6% increase in regular purchases, you will now be slammed with an additional rate of inflation. It could be that your personal or family rate of inflation could be as high as 20 or even 30%. And now you can see why we should have concern about drifting to the bottom of the food chain. Especially if you are in a position where your family income is fixed to the point that you are locked where you are and there is no way to increase it at the rate of your personal inflation. You could lose a lot of what you thought were your personal benefits, such as your nice, average three bedroom house in a nice neighborhood close to the schools of your choice. And, there is no point in listing all of the possibilities here. You can take this one scenario and determine for yourself what possibilities you have to look forward to if things continue downward.

Another scenario that I see as extremely unfortunate, is how the inflation game plays out for retirees and those trying to manage on a fixed income. A lot of retirees naively began their retirement on the ridiculous notion that the Federal Government would provide for their security by maintaining a stable, or at least reasonable inflation rate where as the retiree could live out their remaining years with confidence that Social Security, combined with their retirement plus any other assets they might have, would be sufficient to support a moderate lifestyle until it didn’t matter anymore. But, as you can see, and I regret having to say this, the Federal Government doesn’t give a _____ about your consequences or your baseline lifestyle as long as their selfish and often diabolical and even illegal agenda is fed and accomplished. I can’t help but wonder why, in just a matter of a few months, our country has gone from a land of plenty to a land of shortages. Of course, you and I know the answer to that question, it is a critical topic that we will discuss later as a stand alone column.

It’s a hard thing to say that the governments of our country are no longer governments of the people and for the people and that the governments no longer care to serve the people but instead are only interested in serving their own interests with little care of the adverse effects that the policies and legislation put forward seem to ignore the will of, or the needs of, the people.

It’s hard to accept that the country that you and I have loved and honored for so many years is no longer a beacon to the world of leadership, example and guidance and is becoming a nation subservient to some mystic “World Order.”

Now turning to a softer note, a song that should be burned into the soul and heart of each person who has, for this time and past, enjoyed the blessings borne on the back and shoulders, often with sweat, blood and tears, of those Patriots and others that may never be known. Go to “You tube” and search for this beautiful rendition of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” sung by the perfect voice of Kate Smith. Learn the words, sing along, and if this doesn’t bring you to a state of emotional tears I’m not sure what would.

God Bless America

(Originally composed in 1918 at the beginning of World War I and later revised by him at the beginning of World War II, in 1938) While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free, Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. God bless America, Land that I love, Stand beside her, and guide her Through the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans, white with foam God bless America, My home sweet home God bless America, My home sweet home.