By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
Thanksgiving is the most “American” of all the holiday traditions celebrated in this country. It’s a time when families and friends gather together to give collective thanks for the rich bounty that they have received.
Thanksgiving 2011, however, will be a horse of a far different color. Economic analysts have repeatedly told us that the Great Recession of 2008 has come and gone. However, like so many of the economic and political declarations that emanate from Washington these days, they ring hollow and have little resemblance to life in the real world.
The tell-tale signs of America ’s malaise and political discord are everywhere. From New York to Los Angeles, and most destinations in between, frustrated and desperate Americans are opting to express their outrage publicly over the gross economic disparities that exit between Wall Street and Main Street.
How does one justify one percent of the population monopolizing 40 percent of the nation’s wealth? What about the other 99 percent of the country who are struggling to make ends meet, and find themselves being further victimized by a tax code that requires that they pay more than their fair share in taxes, while corporations and the wealthy pay little or nothing? This is totally outrageous and makes no sense.
Unfortunately, in too many respects, Wisconsin has become ground zero for the repressive public policies now being advanced by the GOP. The poor and working- class families are now under constant attack as government, both here and in Washington, seem willing to abdicate its responsibility as it turns a blind eye to the plight of most Americans.
There are 14 million Americans currently out of work, and untold thousands who have simply given up on the prospects of finding employment. If that isn’t surreal enough, millions of Americans are barely hanging on in terms of preventing foreclosures on their homes, while another 25 million Americans find themselves relegated to the ranks of being chronically underemployed.
I recently had a shocking reminder of the sign of the times in Madison, of all places. I happened to encounter this disheveled-looking man, near the State Capitol, walking around carrying a placard that simply read, “Will Work for Food.” Moreover, homeless shelters, food pantries and meal sites are completely overwhelmed by the number of people needing assistance.
Ernest Lawrence Thayer once wrote in his immortal poem Casey at the Bat that “there is no joy in Mudville.” The same can be said that this too is the case for far too many Americans this Thanksgiving season.