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Here in Ohio, the worm is turning, as I predicted. The latest unemployment numbers only tell part of the story. While the 2004 election was rigged here by then Sec'y of State (now disgraced) magician Kenneth Blackwell, it was likely that Bush would have lost Ohio then as now. Meanwhile, many people kind of held their breath in hope that things would change: that more jobs would be available, that college would be more affordable, that manufacturing would be somehow return, that union jobs would be saved....
It didn't happen.
Those of us in the midwest, college-educated, once well-employed, once living a decent lifestyle because the cost of living was pretty low here, are now really struggling.
To survive the decline, I, like many entrepreneurial Americans, started my own business. It went ok for two years, but with the price of gas, the recession (people don't buy stuff when they are broke, hello?!), and the cost of health insurance went up 40% in two years, I had to go out and get another 9-5 job for The Man.
I now take the bus downtown to work, and make a little less money up front, but at least I have employer-paid health care. I'm lucky that my company is Canadian-owned and not dumping its health care plan.
If I had a college-aged child, I would not have the money to send her to school, nor would I have enough collateral to borrow it, nor would I have enough credit on my VISA or MasterCard anymore.
This is a common reality here. This is why Obama will win. Not because he's idealistic or intellectual or charismatic (which he is), but because we can't afford the Republicans anymore.
Hell, I can't even afford to pay attention. My self-employment freedom is over!
