Letters and comments for July 26, 2011

Path of bankruptcy

To the Editor:

In 1955, a mere 56 years ago, I remember sitting in the back seat of our 1945 Ford station wagon hanging my head out the window. I watched the gas station attendant pump gas, check the air in the tires, wash the windows and check the oil all in one smooth, well-practiced routine.  At that time the meter on the gas pump read 29 cents per gallon.

We all know what the price at the pump is today. More recently a can of my favorite coffee, which I might add has been reduced in weight, cost me $7.89 only a mere three weeks ago. It is now $10.88 at the same store. But that’s no big deal. It’s not about the numbers, it’s all about a higher standard of living, right?

Look at all the technology and conveniences that make our lives better. I believe it is, but I also believe the price tag is higher than society as a whole can afford to continue paying.

The fact is our society has been on a path of bankruptcy, not only financially but morally, since I was a little boy. It could be fixed but it seems our government, as is society within itself, cannot come to a consensus.

The bottom line, it’s all about the price of gas, of coffee. It’s all about money. As a nation we have tried buying our way out of debt by borrowing and the cost of living keeps going up and up. It is time to stop the insanity, time for all of us to ask the question President Kennedy proclaimed, “Ask what you can do for your country.” But please, I’m not writing to persuade, to change minds, as Mike Shearer explained, I’m just expressing an opinion.

Floyd Mitchell

Union

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