WE NEED TO BE OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER
by Tony Taton

The year of 2009 has been very hard on the nation’s people. With massive business closings, young families have lost jobs, even their homes, with little hope of it getting any better; they have left the state of Michigan by the dozens.

The stimulus helped all except for the young families who had already lost all and left the state. However, it helped the auto industry, mortgage companies and banks. Home building was at an all time low as banks tightened up on their loans, while at the same time trying to get rid of the homes, which were repossessed.

For the home buyers, it was a godsend, for some of the prices were very low (in some cases were ridiculous prices). Homes worth $60,000 to $75,000 were selling for $25,000 or even lower. Where it will end no one knows, or are they able to predict a time limit?

The culprits are inflation from overseas, plus the inflated prices of all which one buys, such as cars, and the ever growing cost of the war in the oil-producing nations, which are draining our nation’s monetary systems.

It is inspiring to see how we are dealing with the problem. Our people have opened their pockets and their hearts, to help all the agencies that have in turn helped the state of Michigan with food pantries, clothing, etc., helping all in need with many thousands of people doing all they can to help.

In our little Village (city) of Lexington, all of the churches, civic organizations and individuals are helping with food, clothing, shoes, heating fuel, and picking up and delivering people to and from the hospitals, stores, etc. Adopting a family is a large program, along with the lifting of some regulations causing food to be used as leftovers.

Large quantities of venison and fish, plus other surplus, are being cleaned, packaged and delivered to the soup kitchens all over the state. Homeless shelters are at an all time high, especially in the state’s large cities of Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, Pontiac and even Lansing, helping the homeless people. It is great to see the amount of people helping out others when they are in need.

The United States of America has been blessed more than any nation in the world, with much of all necessities needed so it is as the Lord states we need to become our brother’s keeper. As I write this story, the phone rang and a young hunter called and told me he has a deer hanging for a needy family and wanted to know when I could pick it up and deliver it. A large deer will provide meat for a long time for a needy family. Bless him for his efforts. I am only the delivery man while I am able to do it.