First Entry - Mission Statement-Bailout

Hello world-

This is my first attempt at blogging, so bear with me, its been quite a while since I have written anything formal that was not work related.

The reason I started this blog was the growing sense (well, really, the signs are all around), that the American middle class has become a toy for the 2 established political parties. I know this is quite a serious start, but I wanted to get going.

Over the last 8 years, I felt like I had gotten, along with most Americans, less and less of a voice in the workings of American government, and consequently, felt less and less interested. With this past election, it seemed like a new hope, a new era.

Fast forward a couple of months, and all of a sudden, the American middle class is signed up for one of the biggest bills in taxpayer history. Hopefully, we'll benefit from this spending to some degree, but the overarching message as I see it has not changed since I can remember, which is, small, vocal groups (with money) will continue to dominate both parties' agendas for the foreseeable future.

Where is the voice, in all of this economic mess, for the prudent business owner/manager, who didn't take unnecessary risks? Why should he be punished and receive no extra help from the government? What about the homeowner who bought a home he could afford and lived within his means? Why does he not deserve a little extra help with his monthly payment?

Do not get me wrong, we needed the government to step in- but what lesson does this teach (to CEO's or homeowners)? I am more than happy to extend a helping hand to those in need, but I get stretched whenyour situation comes as a result of your own greedy intentions.

I'm writing because I think most people are somewhere in the middle on a lot of issues and share common ground in their thinking socially, economically, and spiritually. Unfortunately, we have only 2 political partieswho try their best to listen to the extremes on each side and divide the middle class against each other.

Regardless of your affiliation, Republican, Democrat, Independent, or other, we (the middle class) are all in this together now, and we should use that as a strength, a lever, to bring some sense back to our government.

Most moderate Repubicans will tell you that they were not proud of the 8 years of W, with good reason, between the lies (mostly the lies), the spending, the Christian right,and the overarching disrespect of the Constitution. Similarly, most moderate Democrats are embarassed by some of the requests and statements by members of their party's far left.

However, many times, it seems to me that the parties listen to those wackos on either side, instead of the soul of America, its hard working middle class.

Tell me I am not alone in thinking this, or anything else you think.

Thanks,

JDF, III