Is the US Economy Sinking Like the Titanic?

It amazes me how people are reacting to the current economic crisis.  But before elaborating, I want to state a simple truth:  We are NOT in a ”recovery” of our current economic state!  Period!

What does that have to do with the sinking of the Titanic on April 14, 1912?  In my opinion, there is a direct correlation  between the types of people and their actions, as accurately portrayed by James Cameron’s “Titanic”, and the current discussions, theories, arguments, lies, clashes, battles, power struggles, gridlock, propaganda, etc. concerning our economy.  Here are some similarities.

Event:  The Titanic hits an iceberg on Sunday evening, April 14, 1912.   Reaction:  Titanic’s Captain Edward Smith and the ship’s builder Thomas Andrews immediately recognize the danger and quickly surmise that the ship is doomed.   At the same time, Bruce Ismay, the on board Director of the White Star Lines,  the ship’s owner, is shocked and doesn’t believe that the ship is, indeed, about to sink.   The fact remains, that he was partially responsible for pressuring Captain Smith to add more speed, even while knowing they were about to enter a known iceberg area. 

Conclusion:  The Titanic sank within two hours of hitting the iceberg with a loss of 1,517 crew members and passengers.  Captain Smith and Thomas Andrews bravely went down with the ship, while, Mr. Ismay, cowardly snuck aboard a lifeboat restricted to women and children and lived to old age.

Compare the above story to today’s pending economic calamity:  How many politicians, bank executives, super rich tycoons and Wall Street power-brokers are acting just like Bruce Ismay?   They know that even if this country turns into a 1930’s era Depression with “Titanic” results,  they will still have their millions in a Swiss bank account and live well above the fray. 

Other comparisons:

- The Titanic band played on, even as the ship sank.    Gee, don’t we see that everyday, in the inaction of our politicians, bankers, super rich tycoons and Wall Street gurus in solving our crisis!  They are way too interested in preserving their own turf!   We also see that in the irresponsible spending habits of millions of credit card holders.  Let’s continue to “party like its 1999″!

- Many of the lifeboats were launched with too many empty seats or in other words, vital life saving resources were squandered.  Why aren’t we working together, like we did during WWII and at 9/11, to put all of our best minds and resources together to solve our current economic situation?   Didn’t we once use our resources effectively to conquer space and walk on the moon? (Note: We just sent our 30 yr old space shuttle into space for the last time.)  

- The Titanic’s sinking was largely due to pride and ego!   Bruce Ismay boldly boasted that the ship was “unsinkable” and cajoled the Captain to increase the ship’s speed.  Ismay wanted the ship to break a record in crossing the Atlantic to garner greater press releases and news.  While under construction, the ship’s owner, White Star Lines, had ordered the ship’s builders to remove the number of lifeboats by half, because of aesthetic reasons.   Wasn’t pride and ego also involved in turning America, once the world’s greatest financial power, into being a debtor nation with a lousy economy?

- The sinking of the Titanic was irreversible from the moment it hit the iceberg.   After assessing the damage, Captain Smith and Mr. Andrews instantly knew that there was nothing they could do to prevent the ship’s sinking.  Nothing!  What a sad realization that must have been.  Is our current economic path irreversible?  Unfortunately, I believe it is.  I see it on the news, in the faces of my neighbors losing their homes to foreclosure and in the ”Cirque du Soleil” world of illusion that our politicians, bankers, super rich tycoons and Wall Street gurus live in.   We are slowly (or quickly) morphing into a new era and face for America.   No nation could withstand so much self-inflicted assault and survive intact. 

In closing, I’d like to say that it was very hard to write this article.   I remember life in the late 1950’s and early 60’s.  It was a different America.   Then came the assignation of President Kennedy, the Viet Nam war, the anti-war and anti-establishment protests, Kent State, Nixon’s resignation, gas lines, etc.  That ten or so years put us on our current path and we’ve been playing “catch-up” ever since and doing it babdly.  How sad!  Too many people are now “rearranging the deck chairs” while our economy sinks. 

Is there an answer?  Yes, there always has been and His Name is Jesus Christ.  He’s been the same in the Past – Present – and Future.  He has and will never change.  Ever!  If we look to him, we will know our individual path.  The path He chose for us long before we were a “glint” in our parent’s eyes.  By following His Will  for our life and NOT the will of others, we will be prepared for the future, whatever it may hold.   I repeat, by following His Will for our lives, we WILL BE PREPARED for WHATEVER the future may hold.  Wouldn’t be nice if every one of our politicians, bankers, super rich tycoons and Wall Street gurus did the same?

Bill Murray