STIMULUS PLAN? NOT FOR AVERAGE JOE

THE DOCTOR IS IN
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LAS VEGAS - Hello America, and how's the world treating you?

The Administration keeps telling us middle class that the stimulus is working and that recovery is here. The only recovery going on is in and for big business and corporations. The middle class is being left out.

Where did most of the stimulus money go so far? It went to public service jobs and government positions. Much of the stimulus monies released so far has been used by states for the politicians pet programs and to reduce their states budget gaps. It has also been used to make up shortfalls in the public employees obscene pension and retirement plans that are on the verge of bankrupting cities and states across this country. The stimulus funds are being misspent every day.

The people that actually get their hands dirty on everyday private jobs do not realize the elaborate perks, pensions and health plans of these public sector employees. Instead, these people in the private sector are losing their jobs because the stimulus money is being squandered.

Where is the money for the promised infrastructure for our bridges, roads and electrical grids in this country? We were promised shovels in the dirt but that has failed to happen.

The jobs that were promised to the middle class has yet to be seen. People are losing their jobs and the lucky ones that are working are working for less money while cost of living continues to climb.

Ask John or Jane Doe who are struggling. Many are holding down two jobs just to make ends meet. If the government big wigs think the stimulus plan is working for the average Joe I would suggest that these politicians go into a supermarket and shop for food.Prices are out of sight. An example, a can of baked beans that cost $0.49 cents a can about a year ago now costs at least $1.32. Other staples like milk, bread, eggs and cereals, veggies and fruit are becoming unaffordable for many households.

Beside food, look at the gasoline prices. They are escalating higher each and every day and middle class income families are losing dollar buying power by the minute while our government representatives pass the buck and say it is the market that cause the high gasoline prices.I really doubt that. I say it's greed.

Every two or three years the Congress puts on a dog and pony show by questioning the C.E.O's of the petroleum industry and these C.E.O's play the game and promise to lower gas prices and they usually are lowered for only a few weeks following the hearings just to pacify the country but then, up, up, and away!

At this time the holiday season is approaching and the report is that gas prices will rise for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and reach the $3.00 a gallon benchmark again.When summer approaches the gas prices automatically rise again, like magic.

Folks, the politicians are working hand in glove with big business. Individual members in Congress accept hundreds of thousands of dollars for their campaigns and personal use. Many become even more greedy and stuff their pockets with millions of dollars and do the bidding of the pharmaceutical, petroleum and insurance industries.

While we are at it lets not forget the airline industry.Passengers are paying through the nose for additional bags, paying for snacks, soft drinks, pillows, and blankets that used to be free. Through it all the airlines are still looking for ways to squeeze out additional fees while still raising their fares at every opportunity.

The airline industry is one of the first to gouge higher prices out of customers around any holiday and following suit is the car rental agencies that receive a passenger base from the airlines. Have you rented a car lately and have you seen all of the additional taxes that you have to pay on that rental car? People, these industries and companies that lobby and buy access to our Congressman and Congresswomen are making out like bandits while the little guy continues to struggle to get by.

So, is the stimulus plan working? It is only working for the politicians, big business and wall street. The majority of the politicians only want to look out for their own interests. There are some that go to Washington wanting to work for us and they do, but they are very few in number. Most however, choose to kiss the butts of special interests. To prove that point you have to look no further than politicians like Joe Lieberman and others, many are Democrats, that are sucking up the money from the insurance companies to stop any type of a health plan.- And, that's my opinion.

Bradley W. Kuhns,Ph.D.,O.M.D.
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Dr. Kuhns can be reached by e-mail at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com