Holy Buck, Fatman!

I’m alone today in the Office and just half listening to the Diane Rehm show. Today’s second hour guest is the wife of Dick “The puppeteer” Cheney, Lynne. She wrote a feel good book about her Family history, westward expansion  and growing up in Casper, Wyoming. Sounds harmless? sure–if you’re into that sort of thing. Perfectly harmless and not in the least bit political– I hardly payed much attention.

What perked me out of my tuning her out was a caller from Wyoming who had said that she was a life long Republican, voted for Dubya and Lynne’s husband, but was compelled  to become a Democrat simply because she had become a victim of the Economic situation. The caller said that she was not going to vote GOP again until the GOPPERS stopped the outsourcing and the war on the middle class of America. I believed this was a relevant comment considering that Lynne’s story of her family was that of the American dream the right get all wet about. Hard work and perseverance will bring you great reward. Unless, of course, you’re simply unable to find a decent paying job  anymore because your FUCKING JOB WAS LOST TO OUTSOURCING.

Lynne’s reponse? 9/11!  9/11!  9/11!  The Economy is great! We’ve done a GREAT job! 9/11! 9/11!

Are you thinking what I am thinking?

yeah–HUH? what the fuck does 9/11 have shit all to do with the economy?

I can’t help but think there is another person somewhere in the “Heartland of America” sitting at their kitchen table thinking to themselves,”I had that job for years and they just closed the plant” or  “I took out that loan on that wonderful house because I was expected to make more $$ before the ARM reset. Now I can’t make my Mortgage and I am probably going to lose my home. “  or “Well, I can put these medical deductible payments on my Mastercard, transfer the balance to my Visa and get a lower APR. I just wish I could take out that cash out ReFi to pay these medical bills…” or “They  gave me a new title, but I am still not receiving a raise. Management said it was just a department change. I need that money!”

If you know someone who has uttered a sentence similar to those I outlined above, you’re probably not alone.  I distinctly remember a time when my husband and I were pretty tight financially, as he was in a dead end job with no way to make more $$. My friends and I sat on our stoop in our urban neighborhood lamenting about how negative we were in our bank accounts. It was eye opening for all of us and made us think about ways we could improve ourselves. Because of the area in which we live in, we had options. If we had been living a more rural area, our only options may have been the local Wal-Mart.

It’s amazing the amount of disconnect the uber rich have for the people who “used to” support conservative view points.  Except, conservative view points on financial matters don’t seem to exist anymore.  Every man for himself.