By Paige Galloway

UNITED STATES–The middle class of the United States has been faced with many problems recently, allowing worry and fear to control lives of everyday people. However, Americans’ uneasiness has been the result many of events these past years. Social turmoil has been seen throughout our nation as well as in our community, often caused by natural disasters, invisible enemies, and unhappiness with our current political situation.

Currently, Mother Nature has been retaliating against our civilizations in the form of natural disasters.  Hurricanes, or example, have been a leading cause in the uneasiness of the people of the United States.  Hurricane Irene tormented the east coast of the United States, killing 15 people and causing about 4 million people to lose power. Locally, people have been extremely effected by the storm, especially because of all the rain and flooding that occurred during it. In Schoharie, the water tore through the town, moving furniture, picnic tables, vehicles, tool sheds, and even buildings like churches and grocery stores while leaving layers of mud throughout people’s homes. Most people have to rebuild, especially businesses such as Hubie’s Pizzeria where all their items were swept out into the street including their building.  But they can’t do it alone. While Schoharie has been getting aid from the government and local communities, everyone is trying to chip in.  Unfortunately, many are finding that they do not have the money to give. People feel as if they have been giving money to so many different places and not getting anything for themselves in return. Instead of giving money other people have been giving their time to help get Schoharie back on its feet. The storm brought the realization that a person’s life could be swept away in the blink of an eye, and people have become uneasy. They want to be able to protect their livelihood and possessions. On a national level, the unrest is more prominent as natural disasters strike across the country. The impact would be less severe if they weren’t all happening at the same time. Tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, forest fires, and flooding have attacked areas around the United States; from the massive amount of flooding in Missouri to forest fires that raged through Texas. The country is in chaos as aid struggles to get to each area that has been ravaged by a force of nature. Money is now required to help revive these areas, and people continue to wonder how we can possibly afford to spend anymore money that we do not have.

The tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11^th has brought a significant amount of worry to Americans. The natural disasters that have lashed out against the people of this land have left the nation at a very vulnerable moment, the prefect time for there to be a terrorist attack similar to the one on September 11^th. Americans do not know at this time who exactly our enemies are that could be plotting against them and would not put it past them to attack us as the nation is very fragile and as the event that had taken place on 9/11. On September 8^th, Homeland Security issued a statement saying that there had been a bomb threat that could potentially be connected to a full scale terrorist attack on the anniversary of 9/11. Precautions were put into place with extra security and an increase in vigilance to keep an eye out on anything that seemed suspicious, but as the anniversary got closer and closer, Americans held their breath. The United States faced a predicament: go on with the ceremonies in order to honor those who died and those who were heroes during that terrible day while potentially putting thousands of people at risk; or be intimidated by a potential threat and not recognize those who died honorably. Another item that increased the apprehension during this time was the fact that Americans had killed Osama Bin Laden.  Could Al Qaeda be plotting a revenge scheme against the United States? Strained, stressed, and wondering what would happen on the tenth anniversary, Americans still remembered those lost on that fateful day, hoping that the attack would be the last one the country would have to face.

Politically, Americans have increasingly become unhappy with the job that President Obama and local governments have been doing especially with regards to the economy and jobs. President Obama has had the worst ratings of his term so far; 65% of people say that they are not content with the way he is handling the economy and his approval rating is only 42% (compared to his previous rate of 47% in July).  Americans want the economy fixed, and they want jobs.  They do not understand how cutting so many jobs and taking away money from vital areas can do any good in saving our dilapidated economy.  Previously, using government money to bail out banks and other corporate business was also frowned upon and the effects of those actions have caused protests such as the one on Wall Street. Protestors want change in the way the middle class has been treated; they want jobs for people and to stop greedy corporate businesses from taking tax payers money. Prices continue to increase on everyday items such as food and clothes and those people who have faced lay offs are struggling to make ends meet. People are afraid of the future, going to work each day and not knowing whether it will be their last because downsizing in some businesses might be necessary. Worry fills many as they try to provide for their families and then are faced with taxes and other things that they have to pay such as electric bills.

Americans have been put through a lot recently. Many Americans blame the President and Wall Street for an economy reduced to shambles.  Further, the potential terrorist attacks across the country has added to social unrest many people are facing. Jobs have been cut to reduce spending, but with these cuts, people’s lives are struggling to afford necessities and blame President Obama. The nation is feeble at this moment in time, and with the passing of the anniversary of September 11^th, many people were worried that there would be a similar attack. When reports of an alleged bomb threat that could somehow be connected to 9/11 were revealed it greatly amplified the fear that some people felt. The fear of not knowing what tomorrow will bringhas increased. Natural disasters have caused destruction and devastation to many areas across our country, causing areas like Schoharie to rebuild and ask for aid. America is experiencing a time of social turmoil and each day seems dim.