Seeing the Round Corners
December 17, 2018
Today’s column from the archives appeared just before Thanksgiving several years ago, but warrants a repeat as the country is pushed closer every day toward another Great Recession. The emotional roller coaster created as the Democrats in Washington prepare to again be in charge of the House has finally taken its toll on the stock market.
Readers should take careful note that nothing has been put forth by the Democratic hierarchy as to what their plans are for the country except to destroy the presidency of Donald Trump and remove him from office. Think long and hard about what this mentality will do for us ordinary Americans – what such a mentality says abut who in this country the Democratic hierarchy cares about.
November 22, 2010
THE HOLIDAYS ARRIVING . . .
It seems impossible that this edition precedes the beginning of yet another holiday season. The year 2010, and yes, it being a “mid-term election year” has been one that started out with high hopes, not only by politicians – Democrats and Republicans – but by ordinary citizens holding on to hope for an improving economy.
Many citizens already hanging on financially by a thread faced an end to unemployment benefits with the politicians in Washington playing their usual games over extending or ending benefits.
As the foreclosure scandal and debacle unfolded, the dirty, criminal tactics of banks put on display just now complicit financial institutions were in the “financial meltdown,” and the picture was way beyond ugly. According to statistics from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, of Colorado’s 135 banks, 34 percent were losing money (for 2009). Statistics were not available as to how many Colorado banks have failed, but the FDIC, as of October 2010, indicated 129 banks have failed in the United States, and have been shut down and seized, at a cost to the deposit insurance fund of $20 plus billion.
Although Colorado’s economy was chronicled as the “worst since the Great Depression,” Coloradans were admonished in on-air and print media, their state was far better off than most states.
This writer began covering the legislature in January of 2005. That year, and every year since, lawmakers have introduced and ultimately killed legislation that would have created a rainy-day fund or increased reserves. A ranking by the National Conference of State Legislatures ranked Colorado 18th in the nation in the size of general fund budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2010.
As the economy continued its downward slide, Colorado sales tax revenue plummeted, some months during the span January 2008 to mid 2009 by as much as 18 percent, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
Foreclosures here in Gilpin County continue, although gaming revenue has begun to rebound. That positive event was “rained on” with the County’s two towns – Black Hawk and Central City – resurrecting their old Hatfields and McCoys style of “spitting” on each other, just as things seemed to be improving. Will they never learn, no one really wins such a war!
As the country’s day of thanks approaches, all should sit down and write A list, make that a detailed list, of what there is to be thankful for. This writer’s list is way too long to include here, but at the top of the list is another glorious year with my parents still with us – 85 and 87 years old, both in reasonably good health, each living on their own in their homes. Here’s to many more holiday seasons with you two.
To those families with loved ones fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and those enduring the holidays for the first time without their loved ones, may God be there for you to comfort and ease your pain.
The mission of Seeing the Round Corners is to evoke a thought process and interest in becoming better informed and to be skeptical of the headline-grabbing purveyors of information. The writer is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
The reader's comments or questions are always welcome. E-mail me at doris@dorisbeaver.com.