PoconoWomen

It’s not my problem! –or is it?

It’s Not My Problem… Or is it?

As we muddle through long days of the darker side of the year, we sometimes tend to focus on things that will help ease the coldness as it sets in our bones. Maybe for you it’s a new outfit, the latest designer bag, or the end –of – winter sales on boots, scarves and smart gloves. I’m there!

However, while all of these activities appeal to me, and I am serious– I love nice things. But during these days of trudging through icy winds, snow, and chill factors, there is also something else that I think is of enough importance to share here with you, I am actually hoping that upon reading this, you, too, will look at this “dormant” season as a time to reflect, to learn and with some activism on your part, to even  improve your lifestyle.

Here is my list of Mid-Winter stimulants and I am not talking coffee or chocolate candy here…

I am talking about women getting educated on the issues that affect us locally and nationally.

It’s a Presidential election year and we are already being bombarded with ads from partisan parties and Super PACSs supporting or attacking the candidates that are running for elective office. It is the silly season and frankly the TV ads make me weary with all the hoopla about the caucuses and the unending timetable to the November election. It really is a campaign – to win our vote.

So I gave this some thought and here is just a sample of what I want to know before I cast my precious vote next November.  My vote is precious and I want to be sure it goes for someone who shares my feelinsg on those issues that are of importance to me – Ms Middle Class American Woman.

Here I go________

Fracking – Some of you may not even know what fracking is – Simply put, it is drilling for natural gas deep into the earth’s surface.

Why should we be concerned about this activity?

Because-If fracking is done on the cheap, or without concern for the environment, it can contaminate our drinking water.

How does this affect Monroe County?

If there is not some recourse/or a respectable revenue rebate  for this delicate activity, we could be paying large cleanup costs not unlike the oil spill in the Gulf. There are no intentions to engage in fracking in Monroe County as of now and there may never be. But the cost of fracking elsewhere in PA could affect us no matter  where the possible contamination would occur.

Jobs for Monroe County..

What is the plan for more jobs for Monroe County?

We always get hit harder here economically because of our “lean –to” economy that is basically tourism-based. The surrounding areas (Lehigh Valley/Scranton etc) are seeing some bounce, but we are still slugging it out here, mostly due to the lack of industry.

If I were at any local candidate’s political forum, I would ask what IS their plan for bringing jobs to Monroe County? And I would ask for specifics—Like WHAT industries or businesses do they have in mind? WHERE will they be located? HOW will they blend into our natural landscape and our  green goals?

Transportation:

How can we get around this county a little easier? How can our infrastructure be improved in order to attract businesses to locate here? What major road projects would be needed in order to combat the bottlenecks on I-80, Route 611 and other major routes? How will these improvements be paid for? Again, I would ask our local candidates what they feel needs to be addressed in order to clear up the T -jams that are occurring with more frequency in our county.

People are losing their jobs and their homes  in Monroe County. We need good leaders that will work for us and not for themselves.  And we need to check on them periodically to see that they are living up to that high position that we reserve for them – our trust.  If not, we have the power to vote them out of office.

Right now our Congress in Washington is rated so low that it is right down there with child pornographers ..Their recent actions (or shall I say inactions) have betrayed our trust and because of their inaction, we are suffering!

So we need to sit up and take notice. How can we take action? Begin reading!  Learn about some of these aforementioned issues or your own pet issues in your local news or online. Then sort out the messages that are laced with propaganda and try to get to the truth of what will really help us and our neighbors to  move forward.

With Super Bowl coming up, I know there are a lot of women who have come to love football and the term “football widow” isn’t really used that much anymore, is it? Well, the time for women to find out what will work for them and their families in terms of lifestyle is of the utmost importance, too. It is time for women to act.  We need to help one another more than ever. Become the quarterback and use your voice. Follow it up with some action that will help you, your family and  your community.

So be sure to vote like your well-being depends upon it. Because it really does. And, voting is FREE.

Now, about that One Day Sale @ Macy’s….

Trudie Lear

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