Lets talk about reality.

So here we are all hoping and praying for change. A change that is supposed to come about out of the very same, Ok I have to repeat this, the very same group that brought us all the problems to begin with. Ok, lets assume there is some type of awakening and things do change. In my opinion it won’t be by any change in these peoples ideology, no it will come from a good dose of reality. More like shock treatments.

Do we have to talk facts? Sorry, I know many of you prefer the Easter Bunny. Ok, the stimulus will reap gigantic improvement and the long range outlook is great, right? Now do you feel better? Ok, now back to reality. No, but just for the record lets talk about a few factors while we get mesmerized by words.

Fuel prices are now suddenly going to come to the fore. About $3.20 a gallon now and going to go upwards of .60 or .70 cents in a few short months. After that who knows. So one simple question for us simple minded to ponder, what does that do to our truckers? Yes the ones that move much of America's good and services? No, not that we made them here just move them. What does that do to their bottom line? Ok, if it impacts them and who else gets it? You got it, right, everyone and in all things. Yes, that is at the supermarket, the retail store and yes, your super friendly Power Company who will pass it all right to you.

Oh, scary Ok, lets move onto something better. How about credit. You know being able to get a mortgage or a car loan? Are you for real, unless you are one of the haves you will be able to do nothing. Here is the good news though, pretty soon those haves will be joining you so you won’t feel left out. That brings me to Credit Cards again. Do we have to talk about 31% interest again? Well you just might because a lot of that additional cost is going to go right onto those cards. Yes and when your 18% card all of a sudden goes to 28, 30 or 34% because Obama by his own words and all the rest allowed it to go with no ceiling, don’t worry about it at all. You can opt out, that is if your not already in default and continue to pay it down. You just won’t have credit any longer. Oh and I’m sorry don’t go the bankruptcy route, they thought about that way in advance and planned for it, you lose. Oh and they are just now talking about it in Congress. Strange it didn't matter for years while it was been done to average people. Do you think they are worried?

Alright, hey, great news homes are selling. I hear 12% of the market in home sales is going to offshore residents. You know the ones that have our old jobs. That’s good news for the banks isn’t it? Yes, and maybe someone can sc#%w you out of yours, oh I’m sorry, I mean buy yours? Yes, but those foreigners can’t possibly buy all the houses on the market can they? Don’t fret because it has gotten so that new homes are priced lower then existing. That is once again if you have a FICA score of 740 or more. Also, what does that say about "cutting corners" and size? Of course many people are walking away from the American Dream and they are not even behind in their payments. They owe more then it is worth and their credit is shot already. Of course you can trade it if someone can afford it. Yes, but can a snowball survive in Florida?

So what about jobs? Yes you know good paying / stay here type jobs they promised us? Boy can’t wait for those. When are they coming, have you heard? What types of jobs? What will they pay? Who will get them? Oh, too early, I see. Well you can read, hopefully and they have a plan you know. Not to burst your bubble but in my opinion someone has to. Do you not hear what they say every day about Americans or is it you don’t want to? Listen my children and you shall hear, the good ones will go to outsourcing, offshore and Green card holders and those we Americans don’t want anyway will go to illegal workers. Why, because Americans just can’t do it anymore as these politicans say. So those retail jobs, that pay little to nothing and no benefits or even a full week will be your staple. Hey you just may get into the hot field of security or service work for $7.00, $8.00 or $9.00 an hour, with commission for some, yea, right.

Ok enough gloom, why not move along to Florida, my state. Of course here in Florida we have the Home Owners Insurance debacle and tax issues. Elderly retired losing their homes, young families working two and three jobs and the haves, yes because this is the home of the haves, telling people if they want a job they can have one. Yes give us Allstate because our leaders have faith in Free Market solutions. Being an At Will state means full employment for all for as long as they want you, you are over 65 and will work for minimum or less. That is an entire other article.

Of course the police have adopted zero tolerance. That’s not for crime that I am speaking to, no that’s for writing as many tickets as they can to go toward their budget to keep them paid and staffed and the courts open. You see we have a budget crisis because of the tax dilemma and those judges and staff need to get paid. So be careful driving through this state. Rhetorically, you know it is all about safety.

Of course on top of all this we have any number of major issues but why get upset. Our candidates have promised us change. We are going to the promised land. I just can’t tell you what land they have in mind but I do not speak Spanish.

Yes, with our help they will control those bad Washington types who got us where we are today and they will tell on them [ you know- blow the whistle when they are bad ] to get them back in line because We the People will be upset with them. Wow, I’m so excited I can hardly wait. This will be real change you know. However, I am somewhat confused. Just where is that whistle now when 80% and more think they do a bad job? Just what does that mean?

Oh, well, we will do because we trust them all to do what they say, right? After all don’t they profess to do good and right? Can’t we believe them as witnessed by their works? Hey I don’t know about you but it sure looks and sounds good to me and after all we have come a long way and we are making history. Who cares about gas prices, foreclosures, the War, illegal Workers, 31% interest on Credit cards. That is all going away. I can’t wait.

Yes, it is exciting to know that in less then a year all will be well again. Don’t you feel good about how you voted and will vote? Well what can I say but thanks to you 40% who gave us all what we have. Yes, thank you, all of you who sit home and gripe and never vote. Yes, without you we couldn’t have all of this. Yes thanks because you have provided opportunity for change and as the boss usually says as they walk you out the door, "you know we're sorry but it’s for the good of the company".

So when you get a moment Lets talk about reality.

Robert T. Melaccio Sr. Copyright ©2006 Robert Melaccio