by James Glaser
September 1, 2005

Here I am, still in Tallahassee. The storms are gone and the heat and humidity are back. I am running around town with the AC on in the truck, hydrating every chance I have, and then I think about the people caught in the path of the hurricane, and wonder how they can cope.

Today I went by a gas station and saw lines of cars. I looked at my gas gauge and wondered if I should get in line, and what these people knew, that I didn't. Well I blew that idea off, and headed down the road, only to find the next gas station without a car. I pulled in and filled up. I guess those people back at the other station didn't know much.

Later on in the day I went to a Laundromat, there I met a couple, who had fled their home State to come to Florida. They said they had relatives here and that about 15 family members were here, with no place to return to. They were from Mississippi, and really had no idea if there home was still back there. They did know that they couldn't get back home if they wanted to right now, as friends told them there was no electricity or water. Their home was on the ocean, and chances were great that there was nothing to find anyway.

They said they were lucky to have relatives this close, and that they had credit cards. They left home Saturday morning, said the roads were not crowded, and gas was easy to get. Now they can't call anyone at home as there is no phone connection, and they wonder about their bank and jobs.

Everyone in town is talking about gas prices going up to six bucks a gallon. Today they were at $2.57. I keep thinking, every day my truck is worth less money and that I really need something that gets better mileage. Then I think about hauling tools, equipment, and materials.

Poverty

A lot of Americans, who were doing just fine before "Katrina" struck, are going to head into poverty. There are not many Americans who can take a forced long-term unpaid vacation, away from home, and not join the poverty rolls.

These people will join the steady growing number of people in this country, who are in that boat already. No matter how George Bush talks up America's economy under his leadership, the truth is that we are not all doing that well.

The US Census Bureau reported this week that American household income, for the first time on record, failed to increase for five straight years. George Bush is in his fifth year as President. They also report that Medium Pretax Income, is at its lowest point since 1997, after inflation.

Yes, the rich are getting richer under the Bush administration, and his tax cuts did help those at the top, but the Middle Class is losing ground. The National Debt is getting larger every time George spends more of our children's money, and you know the storm damage and the costs for reconstruction are going to raise that debt even higher.

Before George Bush finishes his term, many records will be set.