1985.
The average national income was $22,100 and the cost of gasoline was $1.09. We had our own police department but they even griped about wages. Lake Worth still had its politics and its problems. Nothing much has changed. Thanks to the "me" generation, some homes are selling for $22,000 where the national average then was $89,000. Greed brought down our economy.
Even happenings in the world are similar--An earthquake in Columbia that killed 25,000; another earthquake in Mexico and 9,000 died; several hijackings and terrorists galore; people raising money for charity with a concert for Aids victims held in Philadelphia and London which raised $50 million. Each generation continues to live through hard times with people wanting more of the pie. Workers believe that they are non-expendable; they aren't.
We continue to live through the failed marriages, abusive working environments and more Bernie Madoff's with their Ponzi get rich schemes. Each generation gets more narcissistic and believes that they are entitled..."I love me." The city of Lake Worth is in a Financial Urgency but the Unions will not budge and the CRA continues to spend.
The difference in today's generation from 1985 is that very few people have any natural or general responsibility or obligation other than to themselves...a bigger house, a fancier car, the latest I-Pad. Helping a neighbor is not part of their lives. In most cases, people do not even know their neighbors. If someone is in need, then someone else can provide that, not them. We always witness the exceptions and we have two citizens who stand out in Lake Worth. Robert Waples is one.
Our government just keeps spending to the point of bankruptcy with over $14 trillion dollars in debt forgetting the very citizens that they represent and putting all of us in harm's way. Our local government, once again, will be implementing creative taxation in order to balance a budget and pay for the sins of the past. Even Ronald Reagan increased the national debt in 1985.
Technology is moving so fast and this "me" generation is moving just as fast and they cry out, "Get out of my way; let the other guy deal with it." Others say, " Let the government support me from cradle to grave."
Lake Worth Police Union Reject Salary offer
They were saying the same old things 26 years ago. Some things never change in Lake Worth.
``If you want to make the city of Lake Worth a slum, the beach a masterpiece, and have no law and order in the city, because there will be no police to serve you, then don`t change the present commission or mayor
Same stuff at the beach--
``I`m very, very upset that we have to close our beach and parks because of a couple of young people in this city,`` said Commissioner George Harrs, who joined the unanimous vote to close the park earlier
Same old stuff on Budget Cuts--
Salary negotiations at an impasse
Can anyone make up their minds? Same old stuff. If your incumbent was behind a favorable budget and did not raise taxes, November might be advantageous. It's all politics with politicians not caring about the cost to the taxpayer.
Lake Worth recommends Fall elections
Police Unions came first--then the Fire Dept that was organized by Betty Cortese. Employees Union came much later.
ReplyDeleteYes, it does get old after awhile. It seems like we vote for someone and they screw it up and then we start all over again.
ReplyDeleteThat's true. we just keep bitching about the same things. You get one commission overthrown and then you get another. This one gave up its power to the city mgr. How could they do that?
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