|
Revolution or Riot?
by James Glaser March 24, 2009 I missed yesterday's column because I got home so late from my trip to Saint Augustine. There I watched a 5 year old's second Tee-ball game, and it sure was fun. Wanda and I got to the field a bit early and saw some older (7-9) kids play. That was fun, too! I was surprised with the lack of fans. These games were taking place on a nice Saturday afternoon, and with over 9 kids on each team, the bleachers should have been filled with parents, siblings, and more that a few like us, grandparents. That kind of clears up what is happening to America. Kids, and the raising of kids, has lost its importance in the young American family. While we were in Saint Augustine, I took the opportunity to get around and talk to people about what they think. Of course most people are worried about our economy and what is going to happen to them. Younger people are worried about their jobs or lack of a job, while older people are worried about their investments or what their home is worth. There was one group I had a long talk with that is convinced that we are headed toward a violent revolution in this country. Some thought this revolution would start in the next three years, but several were very sure it will take place in September of this year. Their idea had to do with the seven seals, the last book of the Bible, and the price of oil. Nobody could tell me who they were revolting against, or who would be shooting at whom, but everyone I talked to felt sure that things are going to get out of hand. Add the people I talked to this weekend to the people I have been talking to here in Tallahassee, and it doesn't matter if you are black or white, rich or poor, middle class or lower class, male or female, young or old, there is something in the air, and people are either afraid or they are getting ready for something. They might not know what they are fearful of or what they are getting ready for, but people are on edge. I'm not buying a revolution, but I can see some unrest that turns into rioting. The poor are watching the rich. The middle class is watching too. Both groups are looking to see if the rich are going to make a killing when Obama talks them into buying sub-prime mortgages. Obama says he needs private money to buy those mortgages with the government. And if some how the rich really come out on top again, this time because so many people were foreclosed on, things may get out of hand. Like I said, I don't see a revolution, because there is nothing political in this fiscal mess. Our fiscal mess is all about greed. When and if, the poor and the close to being poor see the rich make out like bandits again, all hell is going to break loose in some parts of this country. I can see huge riots in Detroit and any place else that has been hit hard economically. People will only stand by and watch for so long. We had better hope we don't have a hot dry summer, or that prediction about September could turn out to be true. I am not looking at the seven seals or a second coming, but greed and envy can be very powerful, and it would not be the first time in history that those two sins caused a lot of turmoil. |
BACK to the 2009 Politics Columns.