Watching our language

Words, a simple five letter word, that whether or not you are aware of it, has been a part of your entire life. You learn young what words are acceptable and what words are not. The first you learn not to say are the "dirty four-letter" words. Doesn't it strike you as strange that most of the bad words consist of only four letters?

Lately, though, there has been a seven letter word, that is in the news frequently, and somehow has even been granted "word of the year" status, despite it being dirtier in its own way than any four letter word previously coined. The word is bailout! I could think of several that could be used in its place- bonus, handout, giveaway, charity- you get the drift. This country is in really sad shape when it starts rewarding its failures- be they in business or government.

Cases in point, AIG bailed out- business as usual, with all the luxury perks like big salaries, bonuses, etc. Citigroup- still gets to sponsor big-time college football games and keep their $400 million deal to name the new stadium where the Mets will play, along with the big salaries and bonuses and so on and so forth.

Now the big three automakers want in on the giveaway and why not, its only taxpayer money! But most taxpayers don't make $28, $38, or $70 an hour, whichever number is being quoted more at the moment in the press. Even the low amount of $28 an hour is close to three times what the average worker gets an hour. These big executives fly to Washington in private jets, have limos waiting on them to go beg for money, and don't even bat an eye while doing so. Most people still have all they can do to keep gas in their car, even though it has dropped tremendously. While it has dipped, everything else has gone up. This column won't make a difference anywhere or in anything, but at least I was able to throw in two cents more than my share of the future bailouts.