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The United States is now officially in a recession. Many companies are struggling and many in the working class are unemployed and increasingly desperate. Our current government has tried a 700 billion dollar “bailout” of the financial industry, which has had little effect. The automobile industry has requested a bailout of their own, and may receive guaranteed loans. Few of us really believe that keeping the American automobile industry alive will really help, especially if the companies layoff workers. So discouragement reigns. Why aren’t our efforts helping?

Several observations: The very rich are not loaning money to business clients who would otherwise be considered worthy; The upperclass limits their investments and spending in order to protect their nest egg; the working class spends less because they are now unemployed or afraid of becoming unemployed; The lower class spends only for survival. Our economy is build more on consumer spending than on business production.

In my opinion the problem now is fear among the people and poor leadership in our government.

When I look at my personal options, I don’t see any. I have not been challenged to help our society overcome this tragedy. If anyone has challenged the very rich or the large investment companies who benefitted from the recent “bailout”, I have not heard that challenge.

We need a leader. Somehow I am reminded of two former Presidents: FDR and JFK. Franklin Roosevelt told Americans that there is nothing to fear but fear itself. FDR challenged people, redirected industry and put people to work on government projects. John Kennedy told us to “ask what you can do for your country” and began projects to put us to work in the Peace Corps, in education, and on research and space exploration.

Isn’t there something for all of us to do? I pray that our President Elect can be the inspirational leader the world needs in this time of need. We are waiting to be led.