For all the hard times of the recession -- yeah, this one, the one some economists have declared over -- we're still blessed with opportunities and prosperity beyond the reach of most of the rest of the world.
And in Alaska, we're even better off, by and large. We've been spared the worst of joblessness and income loss, and suffered nothing like the mortgage crisis of the Lower 48. Our public treasury is blessed with a surplus we count in billions. Just last month we all received dividend checks from our Permanent Fund earnings.
Hard times? Sure. People without work, families who have suffered or face foreclosure, all those struggling in more ways than one are more likely to wake up with gnawing fear rather than gratitude.
But we're fortunate too in that millions of Americans and thousands of Alaskans are still looking out for one another -- witness the Food Bank's work this week. Despite uncertain times, more Alaskans continue to peel off a percentage of their Permanent Fund dividends for charities and nonprofits.
We're a politically divided country right now. One reflection of that division is the Occupy movement and some of the reactions to it. Compare them to what's going in Egypt and Syria, and there's more reason for thanks.
Those of us blessed to be with families and friends today should take a moment to remember those who are not, including families separated by service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Today is a break for most of us, a day of peace and plenty for many. Let's be grateful for the calm and candlelight, and the chance to share the wealth.
BOTTOM LINE: Happy Thanksgiving.
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