Are you better off these Holidays?

Holidays are not for the faint at heart. There is no time with more pressure to "be happy," and less ability to do so.

People are getting laid off or their income is decreasing. Escalating bills are leaving people who are still considered to be "middle class" without heat and light because they've had to choose between them and feeding their children and, for those off at college, housing them and paying tuition. The mortgage company is threatening foreclosure because you're months behind.

Insurance rates, frequently unjustified by conditions, are leaving millions of working people with no insurance. I don't mean just health insurance; that would be bad enough. I mean Health, Life, Accident, Auto, Disability and Homeowner's insurance also. So, after being unable to keep the lights on, keep warm, watch television (let alone buy one of the new HDTV's), buy food, pay for gas, or do any of the other things that people consider a normal cost of living, what's left? The IRS! They've now taken more than half of what little you make to pay off a relatively small tax debt the payments for which could have been stretched over a longer period to allow more money to live.

So now we come to the age old question - are you better off now than you were last year. How about four years ago. What about eight years ago?

It is a sad commentary on our society when people can do "everything right," live by the rules, and make every effort to help, and not hurt anyone and be left in this position. Where are our governments? Where is our humanity? Where is God?