I am not concerned about the rich, they will aways get by. It is the little things that are stressing folks out. I see the face of a mother filling up her family car’s tank at Costco. The gas pump reads $80, I see her sadly shaking her head. Why? Likely because she is wondering what she must take away from the daily life of her family, what the family will have to do without.

I go to our store, where we buy all our groceries, Fred Meyer’s. I see the same expression on the faces of mothers there. The srained look, those that before just tossed stuff in their baskets, now carefully looking at the shelf of groceries, likely trying to find a cheaper meal to feed those teenagers that are hungry all the time. The steak section of the butcher department is full, but the pork and bean section in the canned goods section is empty. I notice that the store brands, cheaper shelfs now empty fast where as the higher priced brands are full.

Yes, folks are watching their pennies, Dad needs the gas to get to work, so Mom cuts back on trips with the kids, getting her hair done.

The oil companies are making profits that are so high it makes we want to puke, and we do nothing. God willing a new president, hopefully Democratic will find some answers–BUT a new man will have a heck of a job on his hands. I’m afraid it will take ten to twenty years to right the ship the financal damage is so great.

Wish I could feel more hopeful – be able to put a happier face on things – maybe I am wrong, maybe, maybe, maybe – Mark, I truly thank you for your comments. If more like you would speak out, maybe we can take our nation back again from the greed of our own nations businesses. I often wonder which is the greater threat to the lives, the lifestyle, the health and wellfare of our people – the terrorist? – or the big businesses that seem to think of their fellow Americans as sheep to be fleeced.

Love ya, Uncle Fred