Essay by:
Jane Welch
Emporia State University

The Middle Ages

These times of economic uncertainty rival anything in memory. I am a middle-aged student so my memories contain a little more history than my classroom counterparts do. The only severe economic downturn I can remember that compares is the gas shortages in the early 1970s. We were reliant on foreign oil production and in an effort to further their political goals, the oil-supplying countries severely reduced oil supplies to the United States. This coupled with increasing inflation and a stock market crash resulted in long lines for miles as people waited to receive their gas ration. Fights were common as people struggled to get their allotted allowance of this scarce resource. It was a scary time for many Americans. We had all become accustomed to the luxury of driving when, how, and as far as we wanted.

I see this same fear today as people lose their jobs and are forced from their homes. Our local library seems to be a gathering place for those of the homeless who seek shelter and free services they can no longer afford. In passing, I overheard a conversation of a young man who was sitting outside and a young woman who had stopped to adjust her bundle of books. He had never thought he would be homeless, he just had a home last month, and now he and his family were homeless. I could hear the terrible stress and disbelief in his voice as, in his need to be heard; he stopped anyone who passed near. It is a scary time for many Americans. These are the consequences of an economy in turmoil.

My generation, your generation and your children’s generation face the effects of massive federal fiscal mismanagement. Pork barrel politics, politicians who further their own political agendas at the expense of taxpayers to garner favor with their constituents have been commonplace for years. Our new administration has increased our national debt disproportionately in an effort to halt our economic freefall. The recovery signs are there but attached to them is a high price tag. We need a change. We need a change in our way of thinking about government spending.

We cannot stop our social services. Older generations have long contributed to Social Security and Medicare expecting to rely on those benefits in their retirement years. They are entitled to them. Entitled is a key word when it comes to government social programs. Many Americans have a sense of entitlement. The government owes them something; they are entitled to receive anything and everything the government is handing out; why work for it if the government will give it to us. These services are not “free.” We all pay for them. Education is a key factor in changing these attitudes. As more seek services during these financially trying times they should be made aware this is a helping hand until they can get back on their feet, not a new way of life.

In my opinion, we should stop bailing out companies who have proven they cannot manage their finances. If bailout monies are given the acting management should be required to step down.

Foreign military action should be significantly reduced. We cannot police the world. Emphasis should be placed on areas that are a threat to our national security only.

We should increase the marginal tax rate. Those Americans who can afford to pay more taxes should pay more. The current tax system places more burdens on lower income tax payers.

A reduction or stoppage of social services to illegal immigrants until they attain legal citizenship will significantly reduce social service spending. They are a drain on our social service system. They do not pay into a system that is supporting them.

Social Security and Medicare benefits should be need-based. Those wealthier taxpayers who can afford private medical insurance, and who do not need Social Security to pay their daily living expenses should be phased out. It should be used as a service everyone can utilize when a financial need is shown. This is an unorthodox view, as many taxpayers will not be willing to pay into a system from which they may never receive benefits. We already do that though. We all pay taxes, which pays for low income social services even though we do not all use those services.

Increasing spending on education benefits everyone in society. Through education, we make informed decisions. There is such potential among our youth and this should be encouraged and enabled to grow. It is in our youth our future lies.

Most importantly, everyone should become involved in the political process. If you do not vote, you cannot make a difference. Choose candidates that have a manageable financial plan for our nation’s future. Partisanship will always exist. However, we all need to take a step back and realize we are all striving for the same goal. We all want a successful, strong America.


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Re: The Middle Ages

On April 25th, 2009 AmberVanderhofe says:

Jane,

I enjoyed reading your essay. Many people are certainly being negatively affected by our current financial crisis. You provided many great ideas in your essay, and I definitely agree with you. By following your suggestions, I believe that the economy would be helped a great deal.

-Amber Vanderhofe


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Re: The Middle Ages

On April 27th, 2009 reubenmackey says:

This essay makes me want to help take action to help improve my daughter's future. i sure hope she does not have to experience any financial problems with the economy in her adulthood.


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Re: Re: The Middle Ages

On April 28th, 2009 jwelch says:

Through the priviledge of being able to attend college I have gotten to know many young people from different countries. You have renewed my faith in our future! Together we can work to improve the global economy and that begins at home. You, the youth, will be feeling far greater impact of our national deficit than we, the middle agers, will. Just know, we are willing and eager to listen and act on your solutions.


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Re: The Middle Ages

On April 28th, 2009 kdavison@emporia.edu says:

I thought this essay brought up some very good points and ideas on the economy, social services, and education. I really thought the conversation about being homeless was a good touch adding some humanizing aspect to the essay. Good Job.
-Kathryn Davison


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Re: The Middle Ages

On April 28th, 2009 whitdavis says:

I really enjoyed reading your essay. I would have to agree with many of the points that you made. Our military has gotten out of hand, in my opinion. We are not the superheros of the earth, so we need to start with protecting ourselves and our national borders. I 100% agree with the statement you made about illegal immigrants. They are a huge drain on our government's budget. Why should we basically pay for them to live in our country and use up our resources? I don't mind if they are here, just as long as they do their fair share in paying for it!

Thanks!

Whitney Davis


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Re: The Middle Ages

On April 29th, 2009 bettyjherring says:

Your essay was well-thought out and you had not just one, but many, ideas on how to begin repairing our economy. Well done.


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Re: The Middle Ages

On April 29th, 2009 drude1 says:

What a great essay! I really apprecaite the personal touches of your past that you integrated into this very informative and thought provoking essay. I really liked what you said about politicians furthuring thier own personal agendas, and the story about the homeless man is really a tear-jerker. I really agree with you that everyone has the responsibility to become more involved with political processes. No one likes the situation that we are in as a nation, yet the majority of society takes no responsibility for thier own financial situations. Thanks again for sharing your views! I really love your essay! -DeZ


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Re: The Middle Ages

On April 29th, 2009 tina_soccer says:

I liked how near the beginning of the essay you wrote about how people are losing their jobs and losing their homes. Then you talk about where they are going because of this and it is true this really does happen. Good point and good essay!
Tina Commons


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Re: The Middle Ages

On June 6th, 2009 jackiboa says:

I really liked what you said about politicians furthuring thier own personal agendas,online bachelor degree and the story about the homeless man is really a tear-jerker.online education degree I really agree with you that everyone has the responsibility to become more involved with political processes. No one likes the situation that we are in as a nation.online engineering degree


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Re: The Middle Ages

On June 6th, 2009 jackiboa says:

we need to start with protecting ourselves and our national borders. I 100% agree with the statement you made about illegal immigrants. They are a huge drain on our government's budget.online nursing degree Why should we basically pay for them to live in our country and use up our resources?bachelor degree


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