For the benefit of those who aren't:
You wake up everyday hoping you can cover your bills, keep up your credit rating, and feed your children.
You pray to god that your company isn't downsizing this week, as they have everyweek for the last 2 years.
You wonder how long we can compete with the Chinese in labor margins and wonder how many people jobs you cost when you send your machined parts
overseas.
You bitch about the rising price of insurance and health care
You wonder if the group of kids down the road is armed and if they are intending on pulling a Columbine, and if your child is on the list.
You cry when your loved one is ill, and wonder why no one was aware of asbestos in your parents days
You yell in anger when you see American people whom you never met die due to terrorists
You fondly remember when the word terrorist was firmly planted in the World section of the newspaper and it all seemed so far away.
You wonder if the guy running the dairy mart really means it when he says have a nice day, he just doesn't seem the same anymore.
You wonder if getting your degree matters anymore, hell what jobs are there anyways.
You cringe when you have to send the 16-17 year old kids elsewhere when they look for summer work.
You wonder if the vegetables you are eating are slowly killing you.
You wonder who is going to run against Bush this year, and if it's even worth it.
You wonder why everyone bashes you overseas, don't they know we have it just as bad as you right now.
You wish you could get a new car, but just can't afford it right now.
You don't feel invincible anymore, you wonder if someone will ever nuke us
You hope that your son or daughter, who is in the military, is going to come home safe, after all you haven't heard from him/her in 2 months.
And last but not least, despite of all this ......
YOU ARE STILL DAMN PROUD TO BE AMERICAN,
We will fight through this, we always do.
