June 29, 2006
by Robert T. Melaccio Sr.

This article does not represent the beliefs or opinions of the writer. it is just an exercise in writing to determine if this really is a booming economy for average Americans, a bust or a boom for someone else?

When I wrote The Coming Storm last year little did I realize how quickly the signs and symbols would progress. My focus was on the plight of the average American family. What politicians label "middle income". One wonders how they can arrive at middle income when most of these people who label us "middle" make significantly more money. Middle to me means halfway. Do you earn half of what these politicians make, which is about $170,000 at last count.

So, what I failed to emphasize in the last article is that the media, who continues to support the line that this economy is doing well might certainly be correct, but for who? If your unemployed and over 50 do fit into this boom? Yes, in the opinion of many the economy is doing well for those who have. The 20% who own it all and are spending it elsewhere but here. These are the people who are worried about dividends, returns, where the market is and where to put their money.

Rhetorically one must ask do you think this pertains to you? Do you average folk have a buck to spare in investments and are you worrying about your earnings? In fact many of the more prosperous "average" Americans probably make combined incomes of between $40,000 to $60,000 and many under $30,000. In fact many are close to the poverty level and these higher salaries are less then 1/3 of what they make in government. That this sound like "middle" to you? So one must keep this in mind when you here all is well and job growth is up and things are looking good.

Here are some examples of what I am talking about and what one should consider. To paraphrase a local writer in today's paper he states that due to an increase in repossessions and loan defaults the banks have an abundance of vehicles to sell off. In fact he stated there is quite a backlog for sale. Now looking at the picture who do you think owned these vehicles, average Americans or the rich, or for that matter the poor? You got it right - average Americans. Now do you think that is a sign some thing is wrong?

Now lets move along to the Sunshine State where the Sun isn't shining to much these days. The state initiated insurance provider has just announced they are proposing not covering homes for sinkhole damage anymore. It is just too costly. The will only cover if the home is "swallowed" entirely. To us average Americans where does that leave us? Lets assume ½ of the house is severely damaged and they will only pay a portion of the damages. You guessed it, just like those from the storms of two years ago living with ½ a roof you get to live with half a house.

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Tough break, but life is tough. It is getting so in Florida that while required to buy insurance that insurance covers you for practically nothing. What ever happened to assigned risk or the cost of doing business? It sounds good to me, it seems average Americans get to pay in and insurance companies don't have to pay out and if they do you get a nice increase to boot. Now that brings me to those people who sold you the land, the home and the mortgage. I bet you can't find them anywhere?

Do you want to switch to charity? Well a solicitation request recently stated - to paraphrase it- they have less donations and as significant drop of over $158,000 this year alone. They stated the downturn in the economy as the cause. Now one must ask if all is well, what economy are they talking about? Now do you think someone ought to tell those of their faith meeting in Los Angeles that they need to spend some of their compassion right here at home and on their own? We certainly know that donations are primarily from average people and not the wealthy. It is true the wealthy when they give, they give big, but it is also true they get the big break as well.

Now lets, talk about the North American Free Trade Treaty but then again why bother. Who is reaping the benefit of this act? It is certainly not we average Americans. Ford spending 9 billion south of the border. A new highway going right through the middle of the U.S. to Canada from Mexico and we are letting millions from Mexico and South America into our country. One must ask why are they coming? All the money and jobs are going in the other direction. Then again we have companies like Dell Computers spending billions in India and IBM following suite spending offshore. Where do you think you fit in? Well in many an opinion there is a place for you in the equation but you won't like it.

Many have perceived, perhaps just like you, that accepting low pay, little benefits, long work weeks and little to no retirement is in store in the future. You think not, then one must ask you average American what are you going to live on when you get to retirement age? A retirement age that is slowly creeping higher and higher. How much do you have saved and what debts do you owe? Also, as you earn less guess what, your Social Security will be less because it is based on your last years of earnings. Just a sad fact.

Still doubt, it is another sad fact of life many of you at retirement or fast approaching assist your children because they are having it rough making it? Better yet, how many of you are raising your grandchildren? How many of you have had to borrow or finance at this late stage in your life? For us average Americans it seems this is fast becoming more predominant. What about all those good jobs your children are supposed to be able to get? I bet if you look many are going to people from other countries? Yes, they tell you our educational system stinks and you know what, they are right because they made it that way. By the way can you afford college for yourself or your kids? You can if you're an illegal.

Yes, sadly it seems the storm is at the gate and like it or not you need to consider if this is true or not? Americans have always been a sharing and giving nation and no other in history has ever given so much to so many and asked nothing but a fair shake back. However, is it now the time to implement that old truth "Charity Begins at Home?

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Robert T. Melaccio Sr. [send him email] is a freelance writer.

Copyright © 2006 Robert Melaccio