Chester Bealles – 12/13/09

This page was last updated on December 14, 2009.

Look around to see what we’ve become; Chester Bealles; Beaver County Times; December 13, 2009.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“How is it that in this world where there are hungry, abused children? Where the economy has gone to hell because of the greed and thievery of some of the top financial corporations? Where many of our major manufacturing companies are seeking bailouts, laying off people, curtailing production?”

[RWC] Mr. Bealles seems to forget the subprime meltdown, the cause of our current economic mess, was caused by government policies and entities (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) that encouraged lenders to make loans to people who could not repay the loans. Further, if the government felt a lender didn’t make enough of these unwise loans, the government threatened legal action. Financial businesses that made these loans should have stood up to the government and said “no,” but to put the primary blame on them is wrong.

“How is it that the media is giving so much coverage to the foibles of Tiger Woods?

“God, we have become a callous, shallow people.”

[RWC] I guess Mr. Bealles wants us to wallow in misery. If Mr. Bealles would check his history, he would see that no matter how bad things get (The Great Depression and World War II are examples.) we always have - and probably need - our temporary diversions. It’s not about being “a callous, shallow people;” it’s about maintaining sanity and not allowing us to feel sorry for ourselves.