Doom and Gloom

Has anyone noticed that the media is loaded with 98% bad news, 1% good news, and 1% constructional news?

It seems they have taken from the reality shows that ordinary citizens that read stories about the newsmakers or famous people where someone is getting hurt, being humiliated, or has bad experiences.

Why is good news such a bad seller? I don't think it is, but the ordinary person likes learning that the popular names and issues are on their level in certain situations. Here are some titles I have come across, and I'll tell you what, I am an ordinary citizen, and most of these topics frankly either piss me off, frustrate me, or depress me:

"US Pulls the Trigger"
"Oil Climbs Above $84 per Barrel"
"Retail: Worst is yet to Come"
"Worry Over Profit Outlook Halt Early Stock Bursts"
"Stocks in a Struggle"
"Pepsi to Cut Jobs, Close Plants"
"GM Closing Two Factories"
"Virginia Orders 570 State Layoffs"
"Loans: Do's and Don'ts"

Ok, we don't need it to be pounded into us that the economy sucks, that the US dollar is losing its worth, that gas prices are high, and people are losing their jobs. I don't believe that having the same title in the newspaper, worded differently, is a pleasant reminder. I drive by the pumps everyday. I have friends on the hunt for employment. I have 401K statements that note every dollar I have lost in the previous quarter, showing me how bad the stock market is.

The one article I might read out of that list is the last one. It offers a solution, or a help, that may or may not help me or someone I know that is going through a hard time. The economy sucks, and rather than cramming a fact, I know to be true, down my throat, let's become constructive and let people know a piece of advice or lend a hand to someone that might need the help.

Everyday, we read everything and anything we come into contact with has some negativity associated with it, and that, until it turns around, we will all feel that negativity and it'll hurt us. Why doesn't someone come up with a way to turn it around rather than think it'll do it when its ready? Who's out there brainstorming how to change things so that we're not all feeling the crunch? Why don't we see more titles in the newspaper from the more popular people on how they make it thru this hard time, with notes and tips of how it could work for us?

Are we all citizens who love the doom and gloom of everyday life? Oh Whoa is me! Life sucks when you do nothing to make it better. And know this, nothing will get better as long as no one is seeking a solution. I am, by no means, someone in a position where millions of people listen, watch or read my stuff.

I'm currently seeking advice from those that have been able to work thru the hardships, and they make it work POSITIVELY for themselves.

The way I am living thru these hard times?

High Gas Prices:
My way of making sure I can live thru the fuel crisis is to drive less, walk more, and ride my bike more. I cannot go everyday with those solutions. My bike is not my primary mode of transportation, but because I have implimented its use, it those trips to the store or to my mom's house where I have not used my car, and, in the long run, have not used that gas I could use for longer trips.

Unemployment:
I have a job. I thank God I have a job. I have some friends that don't, and I understand, thru them, what they are going thru. How do I help? I keep my eyes and ears open within the workforce that is still thriving and pushin on. I leak news to him about area companies that are looking for help, even if it's temporary. If I were to lose my job, God forbid, I will have gained an another set of ears and eyes when I'm out there looking for employment.

The Stock Market:
I'll be the first to say I don't understand those numbers, what they mean or how it all works, but I do know that an arrow pointing up is good, and an arrow pointing down is bad. Lately, we have seen a bunch or downward pointing arrows. Not a good sign! I have no idea how to switch the polarity on them either. I watch the arrows, hoping someone out there will be able to present a solution, spread it to everyone else that knows how it works, and we will see a change in direction. Until that happens, I will be setting my affairs in order, and planning to work until I see the Lord and my dad again. It's not unreasonable, just undesireable. I will do what I have to do for my family and for me.

Dave