Racing In The Street

I've been reading Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. One of the premises of the book is that the chain franchise movement pioneered by fast food joints has become a pervasive economic model. Not only have we seen a change in American diets, but also in labor relations and the look and feel of villages, towns and cities. Towns and villages have been the victims of the soulless plastic franchising of our nation.

When I think about my hometown, I realize that I've only left Syracuse for college--a paltry five years. My memories of this town qualify me as an oldtimer, even though I am only a 40-something. I can sound like an old codger. A story in the Syracuse New Times a while back listed 100 reasons "you've lived in Syracuse too long." None of the reasons were foreign to me, and I could add a couple that had resonance to me. I remember when SU (men's) hoops were played at Manley. I remember what was located at Towne Center in Fayetteville--BEFORE the Fayetteville Mall (a golf driving range!)

I know things about my town that others do not. It is comforting to have this sense of place. I have roots. My family dissolved with the death of my parents and the relocation of my sister. However, my memories are still here.

David Kuo served as Special Assistant to President Bush and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. He has written a great article on Beliefnet.com on why the President's faith-based initiative has been so ineffectual.

The money quote:
"At the end of the day, both parties played to stereotype -- Republicans were indifferent to the poor and the Democrats were allergic to faith."

While Bush's program backed away from specific promises to help the poor with real commitments of money and assistance, the Democrats seemed horrified that any money might end up in fundamentalist hands. Poor people--screwed again!