While I have found much hope in our countries recent election of Barack Obama to be our next president, as it has given me hope that change is coming.
I have to admit I am relatively perplexed and sufficiently angered by what is happening in our country right now and the impacts that it will have for generations to come.
I ask the American public, President-Elect Obama, our policymakers and corporations to seriously consider current fiscal policymaking decisions and implore you to make a significant shift in future fiscal policy that may protect the American people to the same extent of the protections and supports currently being afforded to BIG business today.
Our government has just bailed out the financial industry to the tune of $7.76 trillion that is $24,000 for every man, woman and child in the country. Did you catch that?
Yes, let me repeat it for you, I said $24,000 per man, woman and child.
When we look back in history, we may look at this as one of the largest crimes perpetrated upon the American public and one that we will be paying for generations to come. And yet, why is it that there is not much public outcry?
There are several real ironies that make this “bail out” even more inconceivable and I implore everyone to get informed and then do your part to ensure that the trickle down ramifications don’t haunt us for generations to come.
First, the exact companies that the American government is bailing out are the same companies that decry BIG government and espouse decreased taxes and decreased government regulation. This seems completely counterintuitive
This is the largest outlay in American history of government expenditures – totaling more than the Marshall Plan, Louisiana Purchase, Race to the Moon, Korean War, The New Deal, Invasion of Iraq, Vietnam War and NASA combined.
Does this seem possible? Don’t believe it, start asking questions now! This sure seems to be a good thing for BIG business but not so good for the American public.
Second, how is it possible that other industries like the car industry are flying to Washington in their private jets to ask for assistance and bailout moneys? What are we bailing them out from? Perhaps if they weren’t flying out in their private jets at the same time as laying off employees by the handfuls, we could have a little more sympathy.
Third, how is it possible that our “evil BIG government” is able to bail out large corporations in their time of need, but isn’t willing to do the same for the average American when they have needs for education, health care and unemployment support?
Now I do not have a financial background, so I understand some have posed the question, if we don’t do this, what can we do to mitigate the worst financial crash since the Great Depression? I don’t necessarily have an answer.
However, I do ask the American public a few key questions to consider as we make policies and choices that have such significant and long term impacts on our economy and our global community:
For every man, woman and child in this country, I ask: Do you even know the implications of this bailout on you, your family and community today and for generations to come?
If not, call your elected officials and ask them what this means for you and demand that they protect your financial, health and educational well being to the same level they seem to be protecting BIG business.
For every one of the companies – financial, auto or other – that is benefitting from the “bail out,” I ask: In the future, reflect upon this bailout before you decry BIG government for helping the same men, women and children from whom your “bail out” money came as they provide necessary health, education or economic support to these people resulting from the same economic crisis that so negatively impacted you.
Or perhaps we could ask you to take some “personal responsibility” and pull yourself up by your bootstraps as we have often asked from the American public in similar circumstances.
For the policymakers in charge of passing the bailouts and associated policies, I ask: When will you begin to prioritize the health, education and financial well being to the same extent that you have been prioritizing war and economic benefit of financial corporations and BIG business? Isn’t it time for new public policies that prioritize people over special interests?
For the media, I ask: Why are you not making more of a BIG deal about this and educating yourselves and the general public on what is going on, what the crisis is and talking to experts around the globe about possible solutions other than the ones we seem to be choosing? How can you be part of finding the solution, rather than avoiding the issue?
For President-Elect Obama, I ask: Will you be the President that I voted for, the American public and the whole world went to bat for to create the change we all want, and desperately need, to see on this planet? Please provide the leadership and vision to make this a reality and take the steps necessary to not only benefit the BIG guys, but the rest of us who knocked on doors, phone banked and encouraged others to have HOPE and vote for CHANGE.
Pilar Stella is a Denver author, policy and social justice advocate, and social entrepreneur. Contact her at or pilar@onegiving.com. EDITOR’S NOTE: This online-only guest commentary has not been edited. Guest commentary submissions of up to 650 words may be sent to openforum@denverpost.com.
