As the election grows nearer, like everyone, I worry.
People often think election years are good for the flag business but, in truth, most retailers (except media ad men) post low sales during the third quarter of these fate-filled years.
Our Economy
As I listen to all the negative campaign ads, I am confused. Our economy is growing so fast that interest rates had to be raised, our unemployment is lower than it has been in 40 years, wages are the highest in history, and companies are posting record profits.
When a candidate blames our government for inflation, they are either uninformed or purposefully misleading. Both are concerning. Inflation is a worldwide problem, with parts of Europe suffering the most. And when a candidate blames the government or Russia for gas prices, again, this is concerning. In truth, Exxon’s and Chevron’s third quarter posting showed record profits. Together, Big Oil earned 30 billion dollars, the highest earnings in their 150-year history. It is their shameful war-profiteering that is driving inflation worldwide.
Though Biden has been openly calling them out, there is little any government that can do to stop them from price gouging. Going against Big Oil is a losing proposition for elected officials. Big Oil has bought politicians and hid their campaign contributions in PACS. They have used misinformation and propaganda to fight climate change reform, and now, for making record breaking profits. Big OIL rules the world! Literally. This may not be a popular thing to say, but I wish gas prices would grow to $10 a gallon. This would force us off oil dependency, open new industries with new opportunities, redistribute wealth, stop wars (maybe), and help rectify climate change.
My Worries
What is concerning to me is the future of our children, their education, their safety against gun violence, and the health of our planet for which they must live.
I rarely, if ever, vote for more taxes but my list from above doesn’t require a tax increase, just some commonsense legislation. Recently, Arkansas had a surplus of money. Rather than give it to the education system or law enforcement, our elected officials gave it to themselves by reducing taxes. I think everyone would have been happier and better served if they had given our teachers or police a raise.
In this year’s campaign season, I hear talk of eliminating Arkansas’s income tax. From living part time in Florida, a state with no income tax, I see the fallacy. To run a state, there must be income from somewhere. In Florida, the loss of income tax is replaced by taxing renters and promoting their large tourism industry.
Elimination of Arkansas’s income tax is merely a shift from taxing the richest to taxing everyone. If you make a lot of money, this would be good for you, if you don’t, you’d be voting against yourself.
The Devil Within
Our country is geographically big, too big to have an outsider wage any winning combat war on our soil. But opponents of our American way have found other avenues to undermine our democracy. The avenue is more of a highway; the internet highway. High speed propaganda is pelting us every time we open our computer or phone.
When surveyed, 79% of citizens feel our country is out of control. But, as stated above, we are living in some of the best years in our American history.
So why all the unrest?
When heard, truth rings clear. When not, psychological problems take root. Our minds, our perception, and our anxiety feel out of control. The Devil Speak in our head begins a self-destructive loop, emboldened by misinformation and sound bites that produce violence.
For political gain, short-sighted politicians are gaslighting citizens with baseless claims of election fraud and fear mongering. This is creating division, crime, and a devil within our homeland. These election deniers are working, knowingly or unknowingly, for our enemy who are waging cyber war on our democracy and the peaceful transfer of power.
This November, the power of social media will be reflected in the voting booth. It is time to come together, love mother earth, love our country, and preserve our democracy.
Do it for the kids.
