The Right (or left) Track

Is the United States of America headed in the right direction?

What I don't know: Is our country's overall economic situation overcoming the proper hurdles that stand in its way?

What studies show: A recent poll conducted by CNN shows 8 out of 10 Americans say the economy is in bad shape.

What I do know: I've noticed more and more people around me downsizing: moving into more practical-sized homes (without the 3 empty bedrooms); selling their vehicles and using public transportation or (gasp!) riding their bicycles/walking; spending more time eating at home as families; finding alternate means of entertainment (i.e., renting DVDs from the library), and just overall being more practical with spending. A refreshing change. Also, I don't expect a president to come in and repair and restore anything to its full-functioning capacity in a year.

What I don't know: Is job stability increasing at the proper pace?

What studies show: The nation's unemployment level is hovering around 10 percent according to CNN.

What I do know: I -and about 50 of my coworkers- recently got laid off due to our organization deciding to merge with a for-profit organization that clearly had a better hold of the market we were working in. It was scary getting laid off. It's never happened to me since officially joining the "real world" work force since graduating college in '04. We were offered severence, career-enhancement workshops, and even a chance to interview to work for the new business. Our company didn't have to do any of that. It eased the transition. So did the sage advice my dad gave me years before: "If you want a job, you'll find one...even if it's sweeping floors." I found a job less than a week later (no, it is not sweeping floors...not that there's anything wrong with that).

What I don't know: Is our education system running toward a proper reform ?

What studies show: According to the U.S. Department of Education, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (i.e., the 2009 stimulus package) created/saved more than 300,000 education jobs.

What I do know: My new job as a proofreader allows me to access various newspapers from across the country and recently my eyes have passed over a few stories that tell the sad tale of schools closing down/consolidating due to financial strains. As I don't personally know too many teachers, I can only imagine this affects them as well as students. Bigger classrooms = more students = less time, I surmise. Not to mention the sad luck of having to change schools, friends, bus schedules, and commutes for parents. What's the solution?

What I don't know: Are we dropping the baton when it comes to our healthcare system?

What studies show: Roughly 93 percent of uninsured householders under 35 who face a penalty for remaining uninsured would rather pay the penalty than buy health insurance, according to the Heritage Foundation's Center for Analysis.

What I do know: Healthcare should be something all Americans, all humans have access to regardless of...well...anything. And by the time this blog posts, due to being laid off, I will be tightening my scooter helmet a little more securely because Blue Cross of Blue shield will no longer be protecting me should something happen. Wish me luck!

-Rhiannon is a blogger for The Sorbate. Check out her bio to see where her view comes from.