The Great Recession or is that the New Great Depression?

Old Homestead - Could this be normal soon?

I recently wrote about unemployment, and how it is effecting Oskaloosa and the surrounding area. As news of the economy continues to get worse, are we prepared to live as they did during the Great Depression?

Nonsense you say. Those that are still gainfully employed, see no reason to be scaring the population. But the population is already scared. Maybe one of the best ways to solve it as a community is to embrace what is happening. If it’s not happening to you, it could be happening to your friends, family and neighbors. Many of them will say little until it’s too late. Take an interest in those around you, find out if things really are ok.

The days of plenty for America are behind us. A recent poll indicates that Americans no longer believe that their children will have it better than they did. But as normal, Americans are finding new ways of being frugal in their lives, as highlighted by one of our columnists.

So are we, as a community, ready to tackle the issue’s that will face us? Declining incomes cause many problems, and for those that are still gainfully employed, still the majority of the public, this will be difficult to understand. Will those “with” be able to see and accept things as part of the times? Homes may not get painted as often at they should, or sometimes not at all. As people become scared to let anything of value or perceived value out of their possession, “junk” may accumulate on properties. People putting laundry out to dry, and backyard chickens, something even larger cities are now accepting. Windmills to generate power, solar panels, all issue’s in a new economy. How will we handle these “problems”. Is the city ready to think outside the proverbial “box” on social issue’s. Do we need to look at preparing for tent city’s? How about zoning a side of town for the “eyesore” of mobile homes as this is all many will be able to afford. Really, do I think it could come to this? I pray it never does, but we must start preparing ourselves for the possibility.

There are many examples of good things being done already for the people of Mahaska County, and the Church’s have Love Inc to be of assistance to the community, as well as United Way and other charities like them. But we must do more, prepare more. How would you change things? Why would you change them?

I hope to start researching idea’s and getting opinions from those in the community. Please share your thoughts and idea’s on this subject with me info@oskynews.org