Today's Economy

Seeing as how I work in retail and security I am in a unique position to comment on my workplace as it is effected by the current economy.

Having the economy take its nosedive as of late has given me a unique opportunity to see a social experiment in action. There's only so many chances you get in a lifetime to see how humanity reacts in a time of crisis. On September 11th, 2001 all of humanity banded together to help those affected. When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast everyone rushed to give everything they could; however when the crisis hits closer to everyone's homes and suddenly it isn't something that a group of people with time on their hands and a 'Can Do' attitude can fix humanity reacts quite different.

People from all social classes and all area of the country are finding themselves without the proper means of providing for their families. People are stuck in mortgages that are more than their house is worth. Cars that were purchased only a few years ago are practically worthless now. So, as people are returning to the dealership to trade their cars in for more fuel efficient models they are coming to the horrifying truth that what they purchased for $18,000 is now worth jack.

How does humanity react to this? They certainly can't build Levy's. Or Throw up houses for the poor. They resort to extremes. Since the bottom fell out of the economy there has been a huge increase in theft cases reported. What breaks your heart is having to apprehend an elderly woman for stealing clothes because she can't afford to buy her grand children present for their birthday.

I find myself stuck in the a perpetual 'Robin Hook' conundrum. Is stealing really so bad if its for basic necessities? Sure nabbing the guy for boosting DVDs makes sense but what of the mothers stealing baby formula?