08.29.08
The Democratic Convention
For the last four days, I sat riveted to the television, as if I were watching the World Series. Although, the choice of who will lead America next is not as much a matter of athletic prowess as it is endurance. Not being much of a political animal myself, other than to watch history unfold, I came away with some general observations. The first is obvious, we are all Americans, not “red states,” and “blue states.” The Republicans also want the best for this country. The Democrats just believe that they can achieve that goal better.
As I looked at the tens of thousands gathered, I saw the strong and the weak, the fat and the thin, the young and the old, the rich and the struggling. Their common denominator is that everyone in attendance was there because they care, and they want America to maintain its leadership role in the world, with a level-headed person at the helm of the ship of state.
I am convinced that it will be interesting to watch the Republican convention, a group of equally dedicated citizens who, at least theoretically, want the best for the nation although the proof of the pudding lately has been no proof at all.
What has become abundantly clear is the need to “fix” a laundry list of issues that have not been satisfactorily addressed:
1) the need for affordable health care
2) adequate care for veterans, and homeless veterans
3) better educational opportunities for young people
4) the need to end our reliance on foreign oil and to develop alternative, renewable sources of energy.
5) and the wish of the American people to leave Iraq and the financial waste it is causing.
Viewing the overall picture of what is currently “wrong” with this country, it would seem that greed is at the root of a lot of the problems. Corporations have a lot to do with bleeding the public on every level.
The lack of knowledge about sound money management is the other side of the coin. My father, John E. Grace, was a very astute man who founded no less than 17 Credit Unions in the state of New Hampshire. He did so to give the little guy a hand up. His sound ideas about money are invaluable lessons that I learned as a child. These include:
1)� Save for a rainy day.
2)� Don’t borrow what you can’t pay back.
3)� Work hard, and live within your means.
4)� If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it.
5)� The concept of “shop and save” is a stupid one. If you are spending, you are not saving.
All of that advice has stood me in good stead. Other Americans were not so lucky as to have a parent like mine. If we look to the federal government for a good example of how to manage money, we will not find one. Social Security could be endangered, something that goes against the grain of every hard-working American who thought that he or she was earning the right to retire. Soon, as we Baby Boomers continue to age, and will need nursing home care. Just who will provide the cash for those places that only the rich can afford now?
Yes, it is “time for a change.” In November, I hope you will vote. Whatever your political affiliation, get to the polls and help make a difference by letting your voice be heard via your ballot. As just about every person who spoke at the convention said: “God bless you, and God bless these United States of America!”
Patricia Cummings
