Though we observe life continuing on as usual, it is difficult to believe that our unemployment rate is 9.1 for September. Actually it is higher as certain graphs show there are many who cannot find full-time jobs and are settling for part-time work.

There is always room for growth in business and employment opportunities throughout the country but with government regulation and an unsure economy, the growth of business is very slow, which means not many jobs are available. Sensible solutions are greatly needed for a country being rocked with the reality that our middle class is being ripped to shreds.

The cost of gasoline is still too high. With the price of oil by the barrel down from the beginning of the year, our gas per gallon is outrageously priced. Everyone is crying for lower gas prices but our own government won’t give us what we want. Our own government is bickering over whether we should drill for oil on our own land or not. Our own leaders aren’t taking American citizens seriously when we say that we want lower gas prices and sensible regulations. Congress is so dead against helping their fellow citizens with more affordable gas prices that many have suffered this summer from lack of family vacations. With excuses of saving the planet, our own federal leaders can’t decide what to do. 

Another example of nonsense in government is the idea of closing the National Weather Service offices. With the unstable conditions of weather throughout our country, what person would be foolish enough to cut funding for this much needed office? The National Weather Service has been providing meteorological data and weather forecasts since 1870. Our country is in great need of a dependable national weather service that can warn us of dangerous storms and weather conditions.

Sensible leaders would also know that we have no need of more government on the federal level.  Offices like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is taking way too many liberties in closing down raw food co-ops and confiscating private property gardens are displaying thoughtless acts of tyranny. Our sense of security has been shaken under false pretenses in accusations of profiling certain groups of people when the media reports single incidences of violence in order for us to comply. Regulations have gone way overboard as we travel through airports and are forced to continue the practice of disrobing ourselves to get on a plane. I wonder myself whether there is any good in all of the expense in security systems and people hired to intrude in our private life.

With budget cuts for necessary offices like our weather service and extending the budget for unnecessary offices like Federal Food Administration shutting down organic food stores and the Transportation Security Administration in ridiculous pat-down airport screenings there is a great need for sensible national leaders.

Steimle is the author of four books. Contact her at valeriesteimle@yahoo.com, www.stregthenyourhome.com or check out her blog at www.valeriesteimle.blogspot.com.