Red Arrows Across the Board

"And the Dow fell another 200 points today, continuing in the trend that has been prevalent the last month."

What the hell? Another two-hundred points? How the heck is this happening? Jeeze, just two years ago, everyone was exclaiming about how the dollar had never been higher in worth and now the Dow is at it's lowest since 9-11? When did this come about?

I am in no way an expert when it comes to the way that my country is working, but it seems to me that it is certainly going down hill. We've always had our problems on Wall Street, but now it seems like every other word out of the news broadcaster's mouth is about some new scandal involving doctoring documents and inside trading. Enron? WorldCom? MARTHA STEWART?!?!?! What happened to speaking the truth?

Americans are the most complete capitalists I've ever seen, but is lying and cheating your way into making one more of those almighty dollars really the new way of things? Would companies do anything to ensure that their future is secure? Have the CEOs and Presidents of these franchises decided that remaining true to themselves and to their customers is not important anymore? Well then, no wonder our economy sucks right now.

I personally find it absolutely horrifying; the way people will take advantage of others just to make themselves seem more important and more financially secure than they really are. Sure, this is definitely not a new thing; it's been going on for centuries, but now the people whom America puts so much trust in are lying to us. Lying to us because most Americans are clueless when it comes to the stock market.

And, if they aren't doctoring the books, they're taking part in insider trading. Insider trading, for those who are unfamiliar with the term, is when someone's stock isn't doing so well, they will tell all of their friends to back out of the stock, letting them save some money while the unfortunate people who are left uninformed lose everything that they had placed into the stock. Martha Stewart, of all people, has been accused of such trading. Her friend told her that his stock wasn't doing well and she backed out. When this fact was uncovered, the woman was arrested and is now on trial for it. Needless to say, her stock isn't doing very well.

What is all of this saying to the world about America? To most of the people of the world, America is a business; they see only the oil companies, the bureaucrats, and the Stock Market. And when those people start breaking the law to make money, those who are outside America naturally think of all Americans as liars, cheaters, and scoundrels all out for one thing; currency. What does it matter to them that the American people are the ones suffering from this; that America is virtually destroying itself from the inside out. Perhaps most of America values the dollar more than anything else, but that does not mean that they would trick everyone that trusts them to make that dollar. It is sickening to think that the very image of America is tainted by what these businessmen think of as "making a living" and that our image to the outside world is run by politicians and businessmen. God, these people sicken me and I, for one, hope that they are duly punished for what they have done to us all.

Perhaps what I say is completely biased because of the way the news portrays all of this. Maybe I do not know the whole truth behind anything; it certainly wouldn't be the first time such a thing has happened. But, to me, some people take things way too far, especially Americans who cannot seem to fathom the fact that they are not the most important people on the planet. They don't understand why those who aren't Americans would challenge their infallibility and become angry when another country does not agree with them. America is a very arrogant and cocky country and perhaps businessmen are the most prideful Americans of them all. It is possible that they feel that all of America is at their mercy because, well, it is, and taking advantage of them to keep their record sparkling clean, no matter how hypocritical it is, is nothing to be ashamed of. And, even when they are caught and the proof is shoved under their noses, somehow they still have the audacity to deny everything. Shame on you, all of you! Look how our country suffers because of what you have done!

Oh, but I cannot just simply blame everything on the businessmen. No, that would be only half of the story. Mr. Bush, our illustrious commander-in-chief is certainly helping to push things forward. He pushes the eyes of America toward the world outside, thereby diverting them from what is happening right in front of them, on their own doorstep. He makes a decree that all of those involved in any business scandals will be severely punished, but takes back his words as soon as Dick Cheney, his closest adviser, is thrown under the interrogation light. Yes, Mr. Bush, that is definitely the way to go about things; punish everyone but those who are your friends. What a way to keep America's trust, Georgey. If you keep going, not even the dimpled chads of Palm Beach will get you into office next time you run.

Is it all a giant conspiracy gone awry? Was the entire economic boom of the 90s all based on the lies and half-truths of the major industries? Has everything that we have won been begotten through sweat or forged signatures? The country's failing economy now; is it all just the repercussions of having been caught? I really do not know. Part of me would like to say no, America got all of it's success through blood, sweat, and hard work; it's just going through some difficult times right now. But, most of me wants to say that our country's pedestal was built using indiscretions and hidden truths and that now our pedestal is beginning to come down. Will we be able to build it back up again the right way? Or is this country doomed to fall to the fate of every other empire in history? The only thing I can say to that is time will tell.