| Let's put it all into perspective: the U.S. has an | | | | mass poverty of Russian serfs opened the door |
| unemployment rate hovering at just above the | | | | to Lenin and his monstrous descendant, Stalin. The |
| 5% level (although much higher in ethnic | | | | ruined economy of the Weimar Republic brought |
| populations). Iraq has an unemployment rate in the | | | | us the order and security, as well as the total evil, |
| 75% range.How on earth do they live?We are all | | | | of Adolf Hitler. The hedonistic excesses and |
| aware of the difficulties of being out of work -the | | | | widespread corruption of Havana produced Fidel |
| financial pressures, the emotional trauma, the ruin | | | | Castro. The war-ravaged landscape of Cambodia |
| of so many marriages and families, and the | | | | hatched the Khmer Rouge.Consider the average |
| overall cost to society. The effects of | | | | Iraqi. Three years ago, there may have been a |
| unemployment on personal dreams of success | | | | muzzled press and sinister whispers of secret |
| wreak havoc with the self-esteem and | | | | executions and atrocities against minorities, but |
| self-confidence of those without work. In a | | | | the electricity and water systems worked, there |
| society that glorifies money, power, and celebrity | | | | was order in the streets, there were uplifting |
| above all else, the have-nots carry the taint of | | | | parades of uniformed troops, a leader standing up |
| failure and view themselves as losers. They can | | | | to the might of the western world, and a deep |
| no longer compete with their peers, keep up with | | | | pride in being a citizen of the arguably strongest |
| the Joneses, or live the lifestyle to which they | | | | Muslin country in the world.Three years later, men |
| have aspired for so long.But if 3 out of 4 of your | | | | stand in line for the few paltry jobs available with |
| neighbors, family, and friends are jobless, the | | | | the security forces, well aware of the possibility |
| equation changes. You may live in poverty, unsure | | | | of being blown to bits for the only sin of standing |
| of when the next meal will materialize, but just | | | | in that line.President Bush is on a crusade (that |
| about everyone else is in the same boat. Begging, | | | | was his word) to rid the world of terrorism and |
| bartering, and haggling over the exchange of | | | | convert the entire planet to Western Democracy |
| meager basics becomes the standard lifestyle. | | | | and his version of freedom (his favorite |
| Aspirations of success are tossed aside for the | | | | word).America will save the world. And if there is |
| more immediate goal of survival. It is the few | | | | nothing left when the saving is over, can we |
| individuals who actually have work and a regular | | | | wring some sense of self-satisfaction from the |
| income who are the aliens in the crowd.In an | | | | fact that no despots are left standing on the |
| economy devastated by war, magnified by an | | | | windswept, barren plateau that remains?Virginia |
| ongoing insurgency, what does the much-touted | | | | Bola operated a rehabilitation company for 20 |
| western world's democracy mean: the freedom | | | | years, developing innovative job search techniques |
| to starve?A culture in disarray yearns for "the | | | | for disabled workers, while serving as a Vocational |
| man on horseback." The inequities and internal | | | | Expert in Administrative, Civil and Workers' |
| struggles of the Roman Republic gave birth to a | | | | Compensation Courts. |
| long line of debauched, despotic Emperors. The | | | | |