Apathy Abounds: Something is rotten in the state of Indiana

The recession has hit Northern Indiana hard, eliminating jobs for many of the workers in trailer and RV manufacturing plants.

"I lost my home and my job. I have no health care. My employer has left me to drink water from the gutters of the privileged," said former assembly line worker Rob Hatfield.

Why has the plight of the blue collar worker become so terrible? Laziness, I say, lazyness.

"I am willing to work any hours at any time. I would sacrifice anything to keep my family fed and healthy. I love them very much." said Hatfield.

A likely story.

Something is rotten in the state of Indiana. It is not individual CEOs sinking billions into their own hedonistic lifestyles, it is not the mishandling of politicians of a bloated economy, and it is not the uncontrolled explosion of the housing bubble that caused Hatfield and other blue collar workers to fall from economic grace.

No, it is a poor spirit, a poorer attitude, and a burden of apathy that sinks our working class into the sick pits and cracks left by our scabbing welfare system.

"Blue collar workers should suffer for our sins. We may burn in hell when we die, but this hell on earth belongs to the poor," said AIG chairman Edward M. Liddy, wiping the remains of a $600 meal from his mouth with a satin napkin.