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Monday, December 15, 2008
Can you be thankful in hard times?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Several weeks ago in preparation for Thanksgiving I was asked to pick two things that I am thankful for.
I had as hard of a time deciding that as I am trying to decide how anyone can possibly feel any “comfort” or “joy” right now.
We’re in the middle of an energy crisis and people are lighting up their homes like they are on the Las Vegas Strip.
1.2 million jobs have been lost in three months time, 533,000 of those in November alone. Just last week, Bank of America announced they are cutting 35,000 jobs, and Delta is looking to reduce its workforce by 75,000. Here is the scary part - we probably haven’t seen anything yet in terms of job losses.
The economy, along with our 401k’s and other investment portfolios, is eroding faster than Congress’ approval ratings.
Foreclosures are at an all time high and I would be willing to bet that there is at least one foreclosed home in every Gwinnett neighborhood.
Gwinnett County is now home to the 24th U.S. bank failure as Haven Trust Bank has been seized and will open its doors December 15th as BB&T. I remember a time when many “experts” would say that regional and local banks were a “good investment”. Glad I didn’t listen.
I know that the big bah humbug is all about the spirit of giving, but why does it seem like this is the only time of year most people find a reason to do something nice for their fellow man. There are 365 days in a year.. and only one or two days we “get in the spirit”?
I know, I sound like I am spiraling, have a case of the holiday blues or in full panic mode. Not the case. True, I am not a big fan of the big bah humbug and … well most holidays. I even came up with rules of the big bah humbug for you all to follow.
This is supposed to be the “happiest time of the year” and, yes, I personally have plenty to be both thankful for and happy about, but I don’t feel like celebrating. We have nothing to be joyful about right now when, by all appearances, we are on the verge of what seems to be total collapse.
I understand that everyone feels like they need something positive in their lives right now, but all this pageantry is nothing but a façade. What in the hell do we have to feel so good about right now?
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