The Canary in the American Coal Mine

Does it hurt you if you can't see or smell it? Many a miner has died from high levels of poisonous gas they did not know existed. Canaries were used as warning signs to alert miners to leave the mine, as they'd otherwise die from the poison.

I've been riding RIPTA and will continue to do so through the remainder of July on as many routes as possible listening to Rhode Island's residents from Burrillville to Westerly. I learned a long time ago while in the Marines, as well as the business world, that the best source of information is often unfiltered from the front line.

The canary is not feeling well. I have spoken to hundreds of folks in their 50's and above who worry how they're going to pay for their retirement. They're concerned about the cost of housing, health care and social security. They remember when they were younger and a single earner's wage was sufficient to keep a roof over your head and food on the table until at least 1980. Inflation, tax burden shifts and pay fairness has eroded since this era. Theirs is a mixed mood of resentment and resignation targeted at both political parties.

Those in their mid 30's to late 40's are worried about the future of their kids' education, having a living wage that goes far enough and whether their taxes are providing them good government that represents their concerns and needs. Over 75% are opposed to the Iraq War and the waste of tax dollars that could keep our schools from being left behind.

Those below 30 are frustrated with what we're doing to their future. They have friends in Iraq - a war they do not believe in. They see little opportunity for advancement as the costs of college make higher education and better jobs seem unattainable. Many ride the bus because of $3.00-plus a gallon gas, car payments, auto insurance and maintenance are unaffordable. What they're really attuned to is the divisiveness of politics from immigration to Iraq while their present and future are being gutted by those passing the burden of our environment and fiscal irresponsibility onto them.

The Wickford Art Festival offered similar perspectives by artists who sell to the solid middle class and more affluent who would typically have discretionary funds to make purchases to decorate their homes. There was a general sense that fewer sales were made and there were more lookers than buyers. While speaking with people who had the means to take the day, week or month off on Block Island, I heard funds are tighter and vacations shorter.

As debt for our federal deficit requires more of our tax dollars to be spent on interest payments versus investment, as pensions are reduced, collapsed or under-funded. As inflation exceeds income growth, America's baby boomers will need to make difficult choices to share in the process that makes our elected officials accountable or watch as the canary slowly loses grasp on its perch. We can do better than working in these conditions, but it does require all of us to pitch in and expect more. That's American "can do".