By Curmudgeon
Some at WCF, myself among them, expressed considerable concern about new directions we might be seeing in Standard-Examiner editorial policy with the recent appointment of a new editorial page editor. I think perhaps those fears were unfounded. The Std-Ex has up this morning an excellent lead editorial:
• It's the economy, readersIt notes that "the economy, by far, is the issue of most importance looking ahead. Major corporations and industries that survived the Great Depression have either failed or are in danger of failure. The recession, falling retirement accounts, foreclosures, job losses, stagnant wages, has affected just about all of us."
It discusses the economic outlook for Northern Utah --- it's not pretty --- and notes that "We were blindsided by those we have been told to trust. They preached conservative economics while dealing in risky loans, and concludes: "Make no mistake: these economic problems come from the top. And there's been too much tolerance of bad behavior, ethical lapses, and criminality on Wall Street or Capitol Hill. This year, we must demand reform of the economic system."
It goes on to discuss the federal stimulus package, insisting that "an effective stimulus bill must give a hand to Americans needing to make mortgage payments, not CEOs wanting a vacation home." And it cautions the Utah legislature that while cutting state spending matters, it must not be done "at the expense of the most vulnerable in Utah."
As for what individuals can, and should, do to weather the storm? Hard to go wrong with the Std-Ex's advice: " This is going to be a rough economic ride. To hang on, be frugal, stay close to the people most important in your life, and remember to keep a close eye on our leaders. "
It is an editorial of such sound thinking, so grounded in common sense and sensibility, and so plainly written that I might have written it myself. [There can be, of course, no higher praise than that.]
Damn fine job. And well worth reading in full.
