If any of you read the Appleton Post-Crescent you may have seen my regular pieces appearing in the Reader Reaction Forum in the op-ed pages of the paper. Last Monday the topic was "How has the economic downturn hurt you?" I submitted the following on Thursday, Feb. 12th for publication Monday, Feb. 16th:
Our oldest son works at a popular restaurant. He works fewer hours and gets fewer tips. One Sunday three customers left no tips; one had a $70 tab. My wife actually works more hours than before, so she's doing fine. I don't have "layoff survivor syndrome" yet, mainly because there haven't been any layoffs where I work. But hourly workers there now work seven hour shifts, not eight. Gas prices are good, as low as they were four years ago. I really don't think that we're heading into a depression. The early 80's had higher unemployment, interest, and inflation rates than today, and there wasn't any talk of an economic "stimulus". Comparing the Reagan administration to the Obama administration will be very instructive. Spending our way to prosperity is a phantom, a trap. Don't listen to the siren song of the stimulus because it'll lure us further into the economic Sargasso Sea.
That day, the 16th, I was subjected to an "involuntary termination due to downsizing" where I work. Classic case of speaking too soon!
So, I must confess, applying for unemployment and beginning the search for new employment became my top priorities last week. Today I will post a summary of meetings coming up this week; but I wanted to let you know why I hadn't done it over the weekend as usual. My stride was thrown off a bit.
I will be concentrating my election campaign efforts on the weekends leading up to the April 7th election. If there is room in your checkbook for a donation to Friends of Steve Erbach, I would appreciate it now more than ever. You may send your contribution to 1017 Babcock St., Neenah, WI, 54956-5114.
My own contribution will, unfortunately, be limited to my time for the immediate future. Thank you for continuing to read NeenahPolitics.com. I hope you find it useful and informative. And, if you live in the 3rd District of Neenah, I hope that what you find here helps you decide to vote for me on April 7th. Thank you.