Krug: 
Jobs must be the new focus

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The recession is “very likely over.”

I clearly recall Federal Reserve Chief Ben Bernanke making that remark in mid-September.

And then in mid-October, someone with a calculator determined that our economy had grown 3.5 percent in the third quarter of this year.

It’s all great news for people who have a job. Those who don’t get to pack a lunch and head out into the work world probably aren’t as impressed by the Dow’s recent willingness to hover around 10,000 because they are trying to keep their home from becoming another unwanted bank asset.

No, when there’s 10.2 percent unemployment in the United States – the highest total since 1983 – it’s safe to say, all is not well.

About right here you’d expect me to insert a comment from some expert who would like you to think that they have an idea when jobs will start to come back or when normalcy (whatever that is) will return. Frankly, my friend, I’ve had it with the so-called experts.

Nobody knows for sure when the job market will improve. Why waste our time with Nostra-job-us?

Back on track, the percentage of unemployed Americans only speaks to part of the issue facing the country. What of the out-of-work professionals and skilled laborers who are ringing up wrenches and carpet remnants at Big Box Hardware MegaStore or working under the table for their cousin Bill’s carpet-cleaning business? Those folks aren’t anywhere near the stat sheet. Again, your guess is as good as anyone’s when it comes to putting a number on the people who are underemployed.

I haven’t completely lost faith in the people we send to Washington to protect our interest. To have lost that faith would have required some faith in the first place. My idealism has eroded.

What I see in Washington is unsettling. Congress is jogging in place and patting itself on the back for showing up to work every morning. And why wouldn’t they? Those people have jobs.

It is difficult to convey in words the emptiness that comes along with not working and wanting to be in the work force. I think you have to experience it to fully understand it.

We live in a time when you pull up to a board with pictures on it, call out a number, drive around, and 30 seconds from the start of the process receive a steaming bag of grease that somehow is supposed to sustain us. And, yes, many consider that normal.

Perhaps we want too much and demand it too quickly. Then again, perhaps we think too little and expect too much from others. One thing is for sure, the jobs didn’t go away over a three-day weekend, and they won’t be returning Monday morning.

But I want to hear more from our congressmen and congresswomen about what they are actively doing to bring back jobs. No, I demand it. This is the issue of the day.

I want to hear President Obama articulate a plan to get America working again and for him to put as much passion into that thinking as he has in sticking it to the Fox News Channel.

Health care? Sure that’s important. But America is at its healthiest when Americans are working, and not rifling through the bottom of the bag, looking for the last french fry.

• • •

Who da man? That’s easy. Chuck Ruth da man.

Ruth, philanthropist, community do-gooder and all-around decent guy, was conveyed the 2009 Champion of Youth Award at the McHenry County Distinguished Citizen Dinner on Wednesday night by the Blackhawk Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America at Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills.

It was an appropriate recognition for a man who has contributed in some way to virtually every nonprofit in the county.

And after watching a video that featured a number of people familiar with the Huntley native’s contributions in front of a crowd of a few hundred, he accepted it in his own way.

“After watching the video, I felt like this was a paid political announcement,” he said. “And based on their exaggerations, I think it’s safe to say that they were overpaid.”

Not even close, fella.

McHenry County is unique in the number of folks who commit to making the lives of people around them better. Trust me, I’ve lived in other places. It isn’t like this everywhere. Still, Ruth is a standout in that crowd. He’s just someone who much prefers blending in.

And that’s why Chuck is da man.

• • •

A night for Judy: Don’t forget about the benefit concert for longtime community contributor Judy Irwin that is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake.

Irwin suffered a terrible fall in July and has been slow to recover. For those unfamiliar with her work, she played a significant role in the creation of one of McHenry County’s first Head Start programs and, among other contributions, has been instrumental in the development of performers from all across McHenry County through her efforts at the Judith Svalander School of Dance.

Tickets for the benefit, which will feature area performers as well as the past Broadway performers, are $25 and available by calling 815-356-9212.

• • •

And finally … : Took in the opening of the TownSquare Players’ performance of “Leading Ladies” on Friday night. Director Regina Belt’s cast was fun and put on a great, rollicking (yes, I typed “rollicking”) performance.

The story about two classically trained Shakespearean actors who try to bilk a dying woman’s family of their inheritance was an absolute riot, and the crowd loved it. The show runs through Nov. 22 at the Woodstock Opera House.

If you need a good laugh, and I’m pretty sure that you do, pick up a ticket at the box office or by clicking to www.woodstockoperahouse.com

• Chris Krug is executive editor of the Northwest Herald. Contact Chris by calling 815-459-4122 or via e-mail at ckrug@nwherald.com. Keep up with Chris’ rants, raves and insights by following ChrisKrug (no space) at Twitter.com.

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