As we fall further into this depression, we are reminded daily that our American Dream is getting farther and farther from our reach. As Americans, we have actually lived the American Dream for several decades. We owned homes, had jobs, drove cars and went about daily without much worry. When someone decided that we no longer had to scrimp and save before we could have that television or new car, we began a decline in our rainy day fund. We could just hand over a small plastic card and have that item instantly and pay, with interest, later. Some were reluctant to do that, understanding the total cost at the end of the contract. But others felt their need outweighed the cost. So, we became a nation of instant gratification. Well, now it has caught up with us, including the federal, state and local governments.
Our governments - federal, state and local - have used the instant gratification thinking also. So, even if we don't owe directly, we owe indirectly. We no longer own, but owe. When we owe, we signed a contract with someone who now owns the contract and we are beholden to that someone. If we are unable to make our payments, that someone can pull the strings, call the loan and we pay or lose. The U.S. federal government has borrowed much money from overseas countries who own these contracts. What if they call the loans? We may know who owns our personal loans, but do we know who owns the federal loans? Owing and not owning is not a good thing! We are no longer in control, the lender is.
We go through our neighborhoods, read the newspaper, listen to the radio and watch television. We see and hear words like bargain, reduced, two for one, for sale, for rent, for lease, foreclosure, bank owned, bankruptcy on a daily basis. It is alarming and scary! We are all affected, directly or indirectly. We see unfinished developments and projects. It is obvious we are in this recession for a long time. I say a long time because we are used to the instant gratification and 2 to 5 years may seem very long. It will not heal itself and certainly not overnight. We are all affected no matter what our financial status is today. We have all had to prioritize our spending and start preparing for the rainy day. Yes, we are a gambling state.
But gambling is a luxury not everyone can afford. Those unfinished projects are costly to all of us.
At the local level, there is a recommended 5 percent rate hike for your water and trash service. There are ideas of hiring a Minden town manager. Is this the time to make government bigger or further impact citizens' income? If trash service is twice a month instead of every week, if my gutter is only swept in the fall to keep the leaves from clogging the drain, so be it. There are few "help wanted" ads in the newspaper but many foreclosures. The income is no longer there for individual citizens or government. As citizens prioritize their spending, so must government. Can you afford to pay more for services? Are you willing to have less/fewer services? That 5 percent may mean bread or milk for the person who lost a job and struggles to keep home and vehicle. To a family with medical bills, it might mean a meal or two. Some of us will have to subscribe to a new philosophy in order to survive the financial crises. If we are going to survive and succeed, perhaps we will become a part of the old fashion "scrimp and save" society.
We must become part of the solution by becoming aware and letting our voices be heard. Part of that awareness means write our government when we can't be there in person. Can we make a difference? Well, doing nothing certainly won't. If you don't feel affected today, you may tomorrow.
I appreciate our county employees and our politicians for their time and energy to our community. Their jobs are not easy. As citizens, we need to be the watchdogs of government and let our voices be heard. Our lawmakers need to hear our concerns.
We are a distance from the federal government, but we are close to our state and local governments and our appearance is worthwhile and will be heard. If you don't want to be surprised by a commercial building in your back yard or a higher priced bill in the mail, attend meetings, write letters and be in-the-know. You can't afford not to.
Beverly Giannopulos is a Minden resident.
