We had a Tornado Warning here today (Columbus, Ohio) - Was in the path of it's track

[The Straight Story]

It didn't touch down, but for a spell it worried me a lot. Daughter was at friend's house in basement, I went and got her (just around the corner).

A lot passed through my mind. A tinge of fear, worry about my little girl. The usual things.

Then it passed by and a nice rain fell, cooling things off.

I worry at times about things that can harm those I love. From a new flu strain, to health care.

I have seen the country come together after 9/11, seen people put politics aside and focus on an issue - like the swine flu, watched as churches some may not like for their political stances have helped victims of disasters, seen folks of a liberal mindset have compassion on those who fight against the very ideals they stand for.

Somehow, someway, along this path of coming together when we need each other gets lost on those in the rw when it comes to health care and poverty.

Maybe because it is not seen as a pressing issue hurting people daily on the news. Perhaps it is cast in the minds of many that people who are poor are to blame for it, just like those who are well off are seen as the reason they are that way - ie, you make your own life and unless there are extenuating circumstances we don't want to help you.

That is kind of like saying that if my house had been smashed by a tornado tonight it was my fault because I chose to live here in Ohio instead of the New Mexico desert.

Yeah, some folks are to blame for their own problems, and some people inherited their money too. But Most find themselves at the mercy not only of the elements of nature, but also at the elements of bug business who threw their jobs out the window to cut costs and increase profits for the few instead of caring for the many who came to work for them.

We invest of ourselves when we go to work for someone else. We give of our time, a good part of our life. We do our best for them. And then - bam - a storm comes along and strips us of our income.

I don't blame people who get hammered by tornadoes, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, etc. And I don't know why so many on the rw blame people for having a financial disaster rained down on them by the poor choices of ceo's whose only concern is a dollar figure and not those who have busted their butts to be good employees.

Our economy has been hit by a tsunami - one made by the people running the ships at a lot of companies. The same people who sacrificed it all for profit (and I have no issue with profit, but they should have taken a lesson from Nash and game theory - do what is best for yourself and the rest of the group for the best result) come to us for help. Their credit is shot, but they ask us to ignore that and all their bad decisions. Something they don't do for the many others out there in similar situations (you made your bed, lay in it and don't ask us for loans, you should have saved more, been more prudent, etc and so on).

Compassion in a disaster. They have asked for it, and gotten loans to help them out.

We ask for it and are told we made poor choices, suffer.

I am too big to fail. I am a dad. And I have a little girl who depends on me.

Today, my X and her BF found out they have less than 4 weeks to vacate their house. He finally got a job, but was way behind on mortgage payments. If my daughter has to live with me because they end up homeless, I won't be able to work as no one will be here to take care of her.

I guess the rw only thinks about the kids in a 'disaster' when there are a bunch of them hurting all at once.

Well - there are. From lack of health care, to low wages, to job security.

Maybe if we came together as we have in the past these things would not be so - it just seems some (rw) only want to come together when it is convenient for them.

I believe in helping anyone and everyone, it's something I learned growing up from a guy in that bible of yours called Jesus.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Guess some slide that one under the 'gays are evil' rug....

I grew up and am still a Christian - but I sure as hell don't recognize most wearing that label today.

Guess Jesus was right - in the last days the church would fall and become worldly.

[uppityperson]

1. We are all in this together indeed. Glad it passed you by. eom

[Dappleganger]

2. Glad everything turned out ok. nt