Converting retreat into advance
By State Representative Smitty Pignatelli
Well, it’s official; we are in an economic recession. Our national economy, and as result, the fiscal state of our Commonwealth is facing
tough times. We have faced worse. In fact, it was the generation who lived through some of our nation’s darkest hours that led us out of those times and into the light – the very same generation that was inspired by then newly-elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt, 75 years ago this month, exclaimed in his inaugural address that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself…” We have often heard that famous statement, but not as often the phrase that followed: “…nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” It is no accident news anchor Tom Brokaw, who chronicled the actions of the generation that came of age during the Great Depression and World War II, named you our “greatest” generation. It is more than serendipitous that work relief programs for the unemployed, the New Deal and Social Security came as a result of your collective strength and strong leadership.
State revenue in Massachusetts is projected to be $1.5 billion short as a result of lower amounts of taxes and capital gains collected since the decline of our national economy. When I took office in January 2003, that deficit was $3 billion. Although the Legislature successfully closed previous budget deficits, we are constantly working to ensure that services we provide seniors remain vital. Organizations, like Elder Services that serves more than 10,000 seniors annually, are guided by the mission that everyone should have the opportunity to live with dignity, independence and self-determination in order to achieve the highest possible quality of life. That mission, even in difficult economic times, will not waiver. As your State Representative, I understand the unique challenges that seniors in my district face; the very real need for home health care, Meals on Wheels, transportation, access to health care and prescription drug coverage and support for family caregivers. I also understand that although Social Security payments will continue, the price of daily living continues to go up. I understand that some younger seniors who were planning to retire soon have taken serious losses on their 401K plans and that seniors already retired, living on fixed incomes, and will most likely not be able to re-enter the workforce. After the stock market crash of 1929, the market did not fully recover to its pre-crash levels until 1954. You know this. You lived through this. You also lived through other times of fiscal uncertainty; the oil crisis of 1973, the drop in the markets following the attacks in September 2001. You also lived to see the liberation of Europe, to watch a man walk on the moon, to see your children and grandchildren grow and prosper, to see your nation heal its wounds time and time again, and each time, to come out stronger and more unified as a result. Something a bit less fiscally monumental happened in 1973. Singer Jim Croce wrote a song about a troublemaking fellow from the south side of Chicago, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.” I would look forward to hearing it stream through the walls separating my former district office and the senior line dancing classes led by Shelley at the Lee Council on Aging every Thursday afternoon. While my duties as a state representative would not always grant me the pleasure of being in my district office every Thursday, the occasional serenade would bring a smile to my face every time I heard it, because as much as I understand what seniors need, and as hard as I try everyday to help you meet those needs, it is neither my efforts nor the actions of our state and national governments alone that will guide us through this economic storm. Rather, it is the gathering together of our communities; both to tackle the economic crisis and to take a little time to learn a new dance that will convert this current retreat into future advances. There is no doubt in my mind that this will be achieved, once more, through the collective strength of our greatest generation.
Smitty Pignatelli is State Representative of the Fourth Berkshire District. He can be reached at: 617-722-2582 or 637-0631 and by email at Rep.Smitty@Hou.State.MA.US.
