Theory of relativity
11/25/09 | 10 comments
editorial

Theory of relativity


Giving thanks might seem like an exercise best left for next spring. After all, the economy is in terrible shape, probably the worst it’s been since the Great Depression. Jobs are scarce, as the 10.2 percent unemployment shows.

The nation is embroiled in two seemingly endless wars. The light at the end of the tunnel is visible in one war, we are told, but how to conclude the other has the best minds disagreeing. And still, the death toll rises. As does the cost.

The trust Americans have in their government is at a low point. Approval ratings for President Barack Obama have dipped below 50 percent for the first time, and congressional approval ratings remain at half that.

The H1N1 flu continues to rage, the state budget faces a $400 million shortfall and gas prices are on the rise. And on it goes.

So how can one reflect and be grateful? Consider what we’ll call the theory of relativity.

Most readers will hold this newspaper or peer at a computer screen in the relative comfort of a house, apartment, car, restaurant, office or workplace. That they can read puts them ahead of large parts of the world; that’s relativity that should lead to thanksgiving. That they have a job, home and vehicle also is worth a measure of gratitude.

The global economic woes are serious, and anyone struggling to make ends meet knows real pressure and worry. But we Americans remain among the wealthiest in the world. To get a further dose of relativity, travel a few miles south of the border from California to Tijuana, Mexico, to see people who would gladly welcome housing that equaled a typical Maine woodshed.

Hunger is a growing problem in Maine, but relatively speaking, many in the developing world would rejoice at seeing their children enjoy the free breakfasts and lunches offered in our schools. Many also would welcome the fast food leftovers that get tossed into the trash bin.

“At least you’ve got your health” is a platitude that has little meaning until sickness strikes. But consider the sickness we never face because of where we live. Many children in the developing world will go blind, be scarred or die before adulthood for lack of medicine or a vaccine that costs about what a copy of this newspaper costs.

And finally, though just about every family has ties to the military, many of whom are in harm’s way, we can walk the streets by day and sleep soundly at home at night knowing armed conflict will not erupt in our towns and cities.

The grass can seem greener elsewhere, but a more accurate assessment should leave most of us thankful for the blessings we enjoy. Taking time to count them is worth the effort.

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Comments
10 comments on this item
On 11/24/09 at 6:53 PM, Coolfusion wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

"But we Americans remain among the wealthiest in the world." That statement deserves a hardy Huh? What other citizens in the world owes a collective $12,000,000,000,000, about $44,000 PP of government debt. Reality check, Our wealth an illusion .. Our living standard is all from borrowed money.. and not money owed to ourselves as in the past.. but now owed foreign entities to be paid with interest. A gift of $15,000,000 in foreign aid.. is not giving from budget surplus but requires us to borrow it by issueing government bonds or treasury notes. Together negative equity and near negative equity mortgages account for nearly 28 percent of all residential properties with a mortgage nationwide. If the 10 largest US banks had to mark to market their underwater assets.. they would all be bankrupt.. only a change in GAAP account rules last July that allowed their losses to be put aside on another set of books allows them to operate (and pay bonuses). The Deposit Insurance Fund (FDIC) decreased by $18.6 billion during the third quarter to a negative $8.2 billion If the government wasn't printing $30,000,000,000 a week, the economy would crash immediately and the reality of our situation would be obvious.

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On 11/24/09 at 7:47 PM, EJParsons wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I guess we can only hope that a black hole sucks up DC. Oh, wait! I forgot that already happened.

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On 11/24/09 at 7:58 PM, Ladyslipper wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Yeah and I just read that 552 banks are in trouble(over 100 banks have failed) and the FDIC is in the red.

.

This editorial is not about giving thanks it is about laying a big guilt trip on us Americans.......I am though especially thankful that Obama's approval rating is now at 45%!!!and Congress is rated even lower .....

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On 11/24/09 at 8:24 PM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

No worries Ladyslipper, our government will bail them out again!!!

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On 11/24/09 at 9:35 PM, Coolfusion wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I should have added a comment about the statement: "Most readers will hold this newspaper or peer at a computer screen in the relative comfort of a house, apartment, car, restaurant, office or workplace". The truth is, if they are reading from a computer screen.. it mean the BDN will soon be out of business for distributing free information. The comfort is from a highly mortgage home, the apartment is rented not owned, the car is most probably leased, the restaurant staff are waiting tables to try to pay off an impossible school loan, and if he/she is reading a newspaper from the office or workplace.. then he/she should be fired. This is not real wealth.. this is a virtual silly dream.

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On 11/25/09 at 5:47 AM, DTOMAnytown wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Democratic lawmakers are now calling for a way to raise money to pay for the extra troops — what brilliant solution

do you think they arrived at?

A "war tax" on the wealthy.

Congressman David Obey tells CBSNews.com that the cost of additional troops

could "DESTROY THE 'OTHER THINGS' WE ARE TRYING TO DO."

(Those other things being 'redistributive change'.)

"How can the media sit by and pretend they don't notice that the Generals in the field are saying one thing

and the President is either saying nothing or something different?

How can the press sit idly by as this administration basically admits they care more about the 'redistribution of wealth'

than helping our soldiers?

Either we fight this thing to win or we get our men and women the he** out of there."

++++

Rep. David Obey, a Wisconsin Democrat and the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee:

"We have been fighting for a year to try to pass health care - it costs about 900 billion dollars - and we are

being told that we have to pay for every dime of it," Obey said on "Washington Unplugged." "But if we adopt

a plan that General McChrystal is talking about, we are also being told that we have to hunker down and be

ready for a decade long or more commitment. If we do that the cost will also be about 900 billion dollars – the

difference is that we are not being asked to pay for that.

And we think that if we are being asked to pay for health care, we certainly should start paying for the war."

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/11/23/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5748813.shtml

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On 11/25/09 at 8:35 AM, concernsme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Paying for the war, what a novel idea. It is about time people started figuring out a way to pay for it. Neocons are all for these wars against "terrorists" but don't want anyone to raise taxes to pay for it. Then they complain about deficits. IF they want war, they need to be prepared to pay up. If we as a nation are unwilling to sacrifice anything personally to pay for it, then we should give it up.

Can't have your cake and eat it too, folks

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On 11/25/09 at 9:09 AM, HarryHSnyderIII wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Wow, angry sad unthankful people!

I am thankful for the great weather lately

I am thankful for the beautiful sunsets

I am happy none of my neighbors are starving

I am grateful that my family stays in touched

I am thankful I was never a foster child

I am grateful I was a foster parent.

I'm glad I have my animals

I am thankful the Plauts invited us to Thanksgiving dinner, and I won't have to cook this year!

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On 11/25/09 at 11:33 AM, Beelzebubba wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Yay HarryHSnyderIII...I am super-grateful for all I have and the love of family and friends!

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On 11/30/09 at 11:23 PM, theotherjimmyolson wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Ditto for me Harry. except I still had to cook dinner!

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