Recession’s victims overlooked in D.C.

Michael K. Casler, Las Vegas

Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011 | 2:02 a.m.

I own and run a business that helps people prepare and file documents such as bankruptcies and divorces. When I worked for someone else, I was always insulated from the effects of a recession. Now I’m not.

I see the couple who lost their jobs and are now forced to file bankruptcy because they cannot make their house payments. The person who bought a condo in 2006 and now finds it to be worth 50 percent of what he or she paid for it. The family with three kids that cannot survive on the income of only one spouse after the other spouse is laid off. The couple who tells me they have always paid their bills on time and cannot believe they cannot pay them now. The older couple who tells me they are looking for jobs because the retirement they planned has vanished with the equity in their home and their diminished investments.

Many people argue over whether what has happened is the fault of Democrats or Republicans, but when I see these good people struggling, it makes me realize that our whole government has failed, and is failing, and it breaks my heart.

All the people in Washington, D.C., should see what I see every day. Maybe then they would do what is right.