Atlanta really is becoming a retirement community. The unemployment rate today in the metro region is 10.4%, which is higher than the national average of 9.2%. Among African-Americans and other minorities, the number of people without jobs is even higher. The fastest growing jobs in Georgia include musicians, singers, manicurists and pedicurists, go figure! This news doesn't strike a great chord of hope in the 99.9% of the population who can't sing, play an instrument or do nails. There are some more predictable choices too, such as physician assistants and computer software engineers (note to teens - you must go to college for these careers.)
The unemployment problem is a shame, because Atlanta is such a great place to live. Before moving here, I heard about the traffic, and it can indeed be horrific. I heard about the infernal heat in the summer, but that's actually not so bad. And folks are pleasant for the most part. But it's the lack of jobs that is driving (or keeping) people away.
Yes, it's a great place to live. But pretty soon I may join the ranks of the jobless if I choose to stay.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
THE MAD HATTER'S TEA PARTY!
The table was a large one, but the three were all crowded together at one corner of it: `No room! No room!' they cried out when they saw Alice coming. `There's plenty of room!' said Alice indignantly, and she sat down in a large arm-chair at one end of the table.
- Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll
Has the whole world gone mad?
It's almost a year after the presidential election. The new President has taken office, attacked the economic disaster with plans to brink us all back from the brink, championed the removal of our shame as a first-world nation with people dying for lack of health care, and yes - brought dignity, intellect and compassion to the Office of the President. But instead, what do I see?
Tea parties and rabid protests from those most of the change in our country is designed to help (oh, if only they would read more...) How soon we forget the past 8 years!
Lunatics armed with weapons facing off the Secret Service and FBI at Presidential events.
Incitable folk refusing to send their kids to school because the leader of the free world wants to encourage them not to cut class.
A preacher, and God knows who else, praying for the death of another believer.
People who benefit from the limited socialized medicine we have (Medicare) screaming that letting others have the same kind of care would be communism come to town.
Official insolence from elected congressmen, governors and mayors - a clear departure from the basic respect on which our republic was founded.
And yes... open racism disguised as everything but (at least have the guts to say what you really are). President Carter called it accurately today.
Oh Alice, your tea party sounded much saner than this! Ugh!
- Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll
Has the whole world gone mad?
It's almost a year after the presidential election. The new President has taken office, attacked the economic disaster with plans to brink us all back from the brink, championed the removal of our shame as a first-world nation with people dying for lack of health care, and yes - brought dignity, intellect and compassion to the Office of the President. But instead, what do I see?
Tea parties and rabid protests from those most of the change in our country is designed to help (oh, if only they would read more...) How soon we forget the past 8 years!
Lunatics armed with weapons facing off the Secret Service and FBI at Presidential events.
Incitable folk refusing to send their kids to school because the leader of the free world wants to encourage them not to cut class.
A preacher, and God knows who else, praying for the death of another believer.
People who benefit from the limited socialized medicine we have (Medicare) screaming that letting others have the same kind of care would be communism come to town.
Official insolence from elected congressmen, governors and mayors - a clear departure from the basic respect on which our republic was founded.
And yes... open racism disguised as everything but (at least have the guts to say what you really are). President Carter called it accurately today.
Oh Alice, your tea party sounded much saner than this! Ugh!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
