I live in South Carolina, and *just like that* this morning we have long lines at gas stations and we have some stations running out of gas completely. I remember well a similar scenario when I was in college, living in Maryland, and there was a gas shortage scare and long lines at the pumps. Fear spread quickly. People got in long queues to make sure they got a full tank.
Here we are again. The states effected are in the southeastern part of the US, where the pipeline owned by Colonial Oil runs. This time it’s a new and dangerous issue though: Colonial Oil’s computer systems were hacked into by Russians and they were able to shut things down. It’s the new form of warfare. No guns and tanks required. No planes and ships. Just smart, devious computer people who can find their ways into private systems, even when the systems are considered to be secure.
On a smaller scale, our town of Georgetown, SC also had their system hacked a few months ago. The town’s mayor and council decided not to pay the ransom money to get it up and going immediately. So, our town offices all went back to snail mail and in-person interactions. This happened in the height of the pandemic so it was not good timing. * Not that there is a good timing for any of this kind of attack to a town, or to a business, or to a government.
Let me say right now: It’s not President Biden’s fault. I don’t watch the conservative channels, like Fox, but I know they are twisting the event around to blame the current administration. That’s what mean politics and those who side with them do. In fact, President Biden is addressing the truth that Russians have been/and are using cyberspace to cause damage. The president before Biden pretended it didn’t happen, and that it was made up. He and Putin were friends. I hope you hear my heaping sarcasm in that statement.
So, as it is said, deja vu – I feel like I have been here before.
The effects of the pandemic are long reaching. Just as Americans are starting to return to a normal life we now get hit with this gas issue. We already had a gas shortage due to lack of demand because of the pandemic, and truck & train transportation was slow downed also from it. There is a ripple effect and shortages for goods are popping up across the country.
One shortage that is getting lots of talk is the need for employees for businesses reopening. I see “Help Wanted” signs all over the place. Retail stores, fast food places, restaurants, hotels, etc. The signs are up wherever those people were let go at the start of Co-Vid. Owners or bosses could not keep employees on the payroll – even with some federal assistance. There is frustration because these people are not running back to the old jobs. Well, some have moved on and found other employment. Some are living off of the government checks sent out to help make it through the pandemic. Others are holding out – and waiting for opportunities that will pay more. If I were a small business owner, I would see that this is a time for ‘re-booting’ the system. Not a cyberspace re-boot this time. It’s the time to hire smart, to offer a pay that will take care of employees, and that will keep them so they will not want to leave if a better offer comes around. Employers need to treat staff as the valuable front-line people that they are. And simply, they need to realize that there has not been a federal cost of living wage raise since the Reagan years. Employees can not live off of $8 an hour.
Don’t get me wrong. I admire small business owners. And, I am all for entrepreneurs, and people who want to ‘make it on their own’ in America. But, we are a capitalist society and part of that means the business or company that pays well and treats employees with respect, and gives incentives and benefits, will get a devoted worker, and a happier person. Happy staff – happy business. If an employer does not consider the worth of an employee than perhaps they should not run a business.
I’m all for raising the minimum wage. I remember when I was in my teens in high school – right before the last gas shortage – I worked fast food and made the minimum wage. I lived in my parents home and I worked part time to get some spending money. That job was never gonna make me rich. It would not have even given me enough money to buy my own food if I had to do it. To think the minimum wage has not been raised much since ‘back then’ is appalling.
Gas lines. Help Wanted signs. Low wages. It’s where we are now. Deja vu.
But – the good news is: It’s a time of recovery.. We went through 4 years of backwards thinking, and those years took away some good programs. We had a pandemic that messed up all our lives. Our country has gone through times like this before. We have had presidents who came along and created ‘new deals’ and transportation initiatives, and who put people to work with the Programs like the TVA.
This can be the start of a new season of growth. I think the Biden administration wants to see our country grow, and to move towards new and safer infrastructures. Our future may see more innovation then it has in a long while. From pain comes change. Old ways may have to die, but new, cleaner systems will emerge. I hope so. Progress is a good thing.
Marla’s Musings 