District 17's Diversity, Part Two

Post #63

In my last posting, I wrote about the wonderful opportunities for cross-cultural growth and understanding offered by District 17‘s ethnic and linguistic diversity.  But just as Montgomery County has grown more culturally diverse since I grew up here, it has also grown more economically diverse.

From lovely single-family homes to contemporary town houses to garden apartment complexes, there are housing choices for all income levels here.  That means we attend community events, shop in stores, join in worship, and our kids go to school with people from different economic backgrounds.  That diversity gives us all a broader, more realistic view of society and deepens our understanding of how the actions of consumers, business, and government affect our collective well-being. 

But among the diversity, there is one consistent phenomenon throughout the District: the effect of the Great Recession.  As I campaign door-to-door, what I have heard-- from residents of both impressive single-family homes and modest one-bedroom apartments-- is the pain and uncertainty caused by the nation’s biggest economic slump since the 1930s.  It's not just the hourly wage workers who are having their shifts shortened or eliminated.  Paralegals and employees of public relations firms have been let go as business has slackened.  People are tightening their belts in fear that they could be next.  Employees are staying at jobs that cause them stress and unhappiness, grateful for the work that enables them to pay their bills and support their family.

Traditional family vacations and camp experiences for the kids are being abbreviated or eliminated.  Instead, parents are looking for community service opportunities (including volunteering at our new Rockville campaign headquarters!) as a way of keeping their school-aged kids busy and learning. 

We need bold action at the federal and state level to reverse this Recession.  I have endorsed targeted tax credits, eased credit for small businesses, and Smart Growth as part of the solution.  But even in the midst of a crisis, we should look for opportunity.  One of the many long-term impacts of this lengthy economic downtown will be on the young people who live through it.  They will be taught different more lessons about career planning, hard work, and thrift than their parents may have learned.  Along with the education of living in an economically diverse Montgomery County, let’s hope that what they learn from today’s recession will help prevent the next one.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How have your family and your neighbors been affected by the Great Recession?  Send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#63) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.