Chapter 77
Recent articles estimate that there are over 5 million homeless on the streets of towns and cities across America. This number is growing and much of it represents the serious social and economic evils facing our nation. An unimaginable debt driven economy with exorbitant profits pouring into the coffers of corporate America has left the citizens of America holding a “blibbit” (twenty pounds of crap in a ten pound bag). A common euphemism, “never play a man at his own game” has been forgotten as Americans and small business savings and retirement plans foolishly invest in a totally controlled stock and commodity market. The markets are the greatest ruse for the transference of wealth in America. We are ignorantly being played every day, and now the day has finally come where our homes are their trading toys in the marketplace and soon our food will also be a toy. America is at war with greed, and the cancer is permeating the entire land, leaving destruction in its path and mayhem at its helm. The humbled and poor of America will soon discover that greed wants it all. The middle class will simply find itself at the top of the poor heap, and then things will begin to melt together into pure chaos.
Every day we read about attrition in the work force. NAFTA (national American Fair Trade Agreement) and CAFTA (Central American Fair Trade Agreement) have moved our valuable factories to other countries in search of lowering their cost of operations in order to increase their profits. Certainly, many in Corporate America “knew in advance” of the debacle that was so swiftly coming upon our great nation and ran for the hills of other countries, leaving their homeland to fend for itself! This shift has removed thousands of jobs from America’s workforce, thereby eliminating an important tax base, leaving thousands of Americans to face unemployment, a change in occupation, and a lack of job security.
Today, American factories, what’s left of them, are trying to survive a weak economy with huge layoffs, and many are looking for help in the massive bailouts by Congress, bailouts that are driving our nation closer and closer to bankruptcy. Through these bailouts, trillions of dollars have simply risen to the top, back to the “money changers” instead of going into the hands of working class Americans. Considering the trumped-up economy, increasing numbers of Americans are confronted with the threat of homelessness and utter disconnection from their once-comfortable environments.
Gas prices at the pumps in 2007-8 removed billions of dollars from our economy. Truckers strapped with enormous costs were forced to pass on their expenses, creating higher product costs. Locally owned businesses close every day making business confidence a thing of the past. The housing market is in serious disrepair. The banking debacle and economic crisis have caused millions of families to face foreclosure, leaving people homeless and sending many banking institutions into bankruptcy. There seems to be no safe haven.
America has been in a state of war for over a decade. Certainly we must consider that war on our shores and the constant threat of a nuclear strike could be one more reason that Americans may find themselves crossing the country in search of a new place to live. Americans feel helpless as this strange scenario unfolds before their eyes. This is not some “made for TV movie” watched on a saturday night, but an ominous threat greeting working class Americans every morning. Are we prepared for a failed economy, a war on our shores, or famine? Are we prepared for homelessness? These are valid questions that have answers—but maybe not the answers any of us want to consider. 
Whether from natural disaster, economic downturns, financialcrisis, or unseen tragedies, once secure families could find themselves without a home. Following most major disasters in America, Americans have expected their government to be their savior. However, Americans may, one day, find themselves homeless with our government unable or unwilling to help. It is easy to take things for granted, that the bank will be there, the government, insurance companies, or even family and friends if we get in a dilemma, but it is best to be prepared and have a plan, because we may find ourselves alone!