Despite Hard Times, We Should Count Our Blessings
By Senator Judy Robson
The holiday
season should be a time of warmth and joy, but in these recessionary times,
many people approach the season with dread.
There is a
pervasive pressure from advertising to shop, spend, shop, spend.
But many families are struggling to pay the monthly bills. They are
worried about keeping their job, keeping their home, keeping the heat on,
giving their children a happy Christmas.
Our region has
already been jolted by plant closing or downsizing announcements, and we dread
the next one.
Many people
see a role for government in preventing widespread economic collapse. By
shoring up the large corporations, we keep people working, and prevent a domino
effect.
Others believe
that the banks, the insurance companies, the auto makers, and the Wall Street
high-flyers that got themselves into a financial hole can get themselves
out. They believe the market will correct itself.
Most Americans
believe that government should offer a safety net in hard times. But we
disagree on how big the safety net should be.
I believe that
affordable health care for all should be part of the safety net.
Reforming our health care system will not only help individuals and families,
it will also help businesses, by decreasing their health care costs.
I am proud
that
I am also
proud that we make prescription medication affordable to senior citizens
through SeniorCare. Before SeniorCare,
the price of costly medications had become a drain on senior’s budgets.
About a year
ago, the Bush Administration wanted to end SeniorCare
and move enrollees into the new Medicare Part D. This made no sense
because SeniorCare is more fiscally sound and easier
to navigate than Medicare Part D. Thankfully, our Congressional
delegation got legislation passed that allowed SeniorCare
to continue.
It is my hope
that the Obama Administration gives permanent approval for SeniorCare,
and encourages other states to develop similar programs. I also hope that
Congress, at long last, takes on health care reform, so that nobody is one job
loss or one injury away from being without health insurance.
As Obama said,
government can’t solve every problem. But it can alleviate some of
the problems. The Obama Administration believes government can and should
give the economy a boost by giving states the funds to do some long-overdue
projects – repairing roads and bridges, extending high-speed Internet to
rural areas, and developing renewable energy, for example.
Governor Jim
Doyle has developed a list of projects that are “shovel ready” in
The economic
slide is certainly unnerving. Anxiety about the future is normal.
But our nation has pulled itself out of hard times before. We will pull
ourselves up by our bootstraps and learn from our mistakes. The economy
will bounce back.
In this
holiday season, I hope that everyone focuses on the most important things
– family, friends, and faith. Remember the less fortunate.
Take care of each other. And count your blessings.
Happy Holidays
to all.
-END-
Senator
Judy Robson represents most of