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November 12, 2008
No one doubts that America’s economy, indeed, the economy of most of the world is in disarray. That is painfully true right here in Clay County and the evidence is all around us.
My day at the office – really my home office – typically starts with a perusal of the previous day’s arrests. The list is a bare-bones computer printout; such and such a person, living at this or that address, of certain age and gender, employed by whom, committed this offense. Not much to go on is it? But, put it all together and frequently a picture emerges. So it was with today’s (Nov. 11) list.
I was struck by the number of arrested persons that were unemployed; more than 50 percent of the entire list. A lot, not all, of the offenses for which they were arrested were property crimes; theft, shoplifting, burglary and so on. To say that unemployment is a cause of crime should surprise nobody. But there are other ramifications as well.
Unfortunately, the most recent generations of Americans have not been particularly thrifty and savings accounts and investments have not increased as they should. When the axe falls, therefore, far too many people, accustomed to comfortable incomes, nice homes and big mortgage payments, find themselves with very little to fall back on. Their families need to eat and food takes precedence over mortgage. They fall behind. They can’t find work. They lose their homes and, for some, there is no family to move in with and once-comfortable people find themselves on the street.
Five years ago, when I was making my weekly treks to the panhandle, it was a common sight to see people trudging along the highway with huge packs on their backs. The suggestion was irresistible; these folks were homeless, migrating from place to place to find a better life.
You saw them in the towns, too, pushing grocery carts, once again, apparently with all their possessions.
Signs were common reading, "Will work for food."
And, as far as I recall, 2003 and 2004 were not recessionary years.
A recent report in a sister newspaper said that homelessness is growing and the usual rescue resources are being overwhelmed precisely at a time when people are less able to give.
But give we must. Many of the destitute are women, children, and elderly people.
Imagine, if you will, you have worked all your life and have looked forward to "the golden years." Suddenly, the gold has tarnished. Your retirement home is gone. Your income isn’t enough to meet your needs – and this right at a time when your medical needs are greater than ever.
It takes so little to help. A can of soup. A box of cereal. Most churches in the area have depositories for food stuffs to help and if we and many more like us do just a little but do it week after week, someone might eat who otherwise would not.
Do you hear a child crying? Only three years old and crying because he or she is hungry and frightened; there is no food and it’s dark and cold; there is no shelter.
Do you hear the murmur of an elderly couple huddled together for warmth in an unheated lean-to on the side of a building?
Are these mere flights of fancy? They are not; I have seen these conditions for myself. What I saw was not in the United States, but it could be and will be if things don’t turn around; if those of us fortunate enough to still have a job turn our faces away from people, fellow human beings in need.
I remember maybe ten years ago "Blanding Bob" was a fixture in the area around the mall. One Thanksgiving eve, I saw him and a woman companion (his wife?) huddled under a tree with a sign that read, "Homeless veteran needs help."
I wish I could list all the agencies and resources that could use your help, but I can’t. They’re not hard to find, however. Call a church. Call the Chamber of Commerce. Read the newspaper ads, some businesses are advertising their availability to help.
A uniquely American holiday is coming up later this month; Thanksgiving is a time when we should review our blessings no matter where you think they come from. It is also a time when we have a heart-warming opportunity to give someone else something to be thankful for.
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