Americans are depressed. Americans are tired and exhausted. This depression and exhaustion has been building since early 2007, and it’s peaking now. Now I am depressed, and I am tired.

Normally I am a “glass is half-full” fellow. My glass is about a quarter full now. If my glass was a quarter full of gas, I could sell it and live for a couple weeks on the profit.

My depression actually started with a trip to the gas station. Have you stopped by your local gas station lately? Now we have gas prices going through the roof and there’s no end in sight. Americans can’t afford much else.

Nobody is smiling at the gas pump these days. The other day, when I was purchasing gas, a man at pump number seven was looking as though he was ready to pull a gun and end it all, right there. With a blank look on his unshaven face, he stared as the dollars clicked by – $30, $40, $50, all the way up to $70 dollars. I think I heard him mutter, “There goes this month’s installment for my kid’s college fund – just for a trip to Billings.”

At my gas pump, a sweet female voice came over the speaker. I thought I heard her say, “Pump #14 is ready, please pay inside. We accept cash, credit cards, or your first born. A banker is standing by for folks driving an SUV.” As I paid inside she smiled and said, “Would you like to buy a $7.00 car wash with your purchase?” With a glazed look in my eyes, I bit my lip and said, “No…thanks.”

With gas prices hitting all-time highs, people are not as “giving” or “charitable” as they once were. In the past, we routinely gave to worthwhile causes like veterans’ organizations, police organizations, candidates, etc. Not this year. When the folks call asking for donations for their worthy causes, I just say, “Sorry, we can’t give this year.” As the election gets closer I may say, “I’m sorry, but due to the Democrats ruining a good economy, we can’t give.”

We put a few items out for the Scouts when they were picking up food. This year, we checked closely to see if we really wouldn’t eat that can of chicken.

Sadly, things can get a lot worse.

How about a visit to your local grocery store? Buying food is tougher than ever. Forget about the steak, it’s hamburger now – sloppy Joes, hamburger helper, etc. The sizzle won’t be happening on my grill this summer from a nice thick T-bone; instead it will be the fat from cheap hamburger dropping on the coals. That’s if I can afford the propane for the grill.

In 2006, America wanted change, so they elected Democrats to make the change. Since January 2007, they have controlled the House and Senate and the agenda. America did not get change. Americans got shafted. The Democrats wanted control. They got it, and with it they are taking us down the toilet.

Do you remember that the Democrats passed an energy bill last year? A lot of freakin’ good that’s doing. A barrel of oil is around $123.00. That’s an all-time high. A gallon of gas has gone up about 40 cents since the Democrats passed the energy bill.

But, they gave us tax credits for a windmill. Just recently, the Democrats decided they wanted to make the Capitol “green.” Of course, it will cost you and me millions of dollars so they can make it “green.” It’s easy to be “green” when it’s not your money being spent to make it “green” with.

On Tuesday, we saw Billings and Great Falls voters defeat school levies. Depression rolls down hill even hurting our children. There’s just no extra money. We just can’t give any more when it takes $50-$100 to put gas in our vehicles just to get to work. We can’t afford the extra money when we have to use it just to buy food and gas.

We “got change” in November 2006. I say, “We got hosed.” Most folks would enjoy traveling back to those pre-election 2006 days. Problem is we can’t afford the gas for the trip.

But there’s hope on the horizon! I received my ballots in the mail yesterday for the June primary here in Montana. There are a lot of choices to make. The first choice is selecting a Republican ballot or a Democratic ballot.

I’m sorry Hillary, but I am depressed.