Barbara J. Hamby

Startling Statistics

Usually when I’m driving somewhere, I listen to public radio in the car. I also read news tidbits on AOL, Comcast and our local newspaper. Often, I encounter statistics that blow my mind. I’m too lazy to try verifying the numbers, so I don’t really know if they’re true.

In the latest year for which numbers were compiled, teen-aged pregnancies allegedly increased remarkably. If I had a lot of time and some idea where to look, I’d like to know if that was one of the years that the government supported “abstinence only” in educational circles.

I think I heard that, in the last year, a million and a half people in this country lost their homes. Probably I don’t want to know if that is accurate. The thought is too appalling. I wonder where all those people are. How many are on the street? Some of them, no doubt, are responsible for their own difficulties, but they were aided and abetted by greedy banks and mortgage companies.

Unemployment figures are always misleading because many of the unemployed have used up all their compensation and dropped off the list.

Reportedly, food banks are struggling to keep enough on their shelves to help those in need.

I can’t believe the arrogance of a lawmaker who complains the American people are whining about an imaginary recession. Even if his constituents fire him, he won’t go hungry or homeless.

Let’s hope that those of us who vote can make a difference this year.