Editorial: Hard to be thankful for budget forecasts

Thanksgiving Day 2009 finds the nation still very much ill at ease.

The ongoing economic chaos has Americans fretful about their financial future. The spending spree launched by Congress to keep the nation from sinking into a depression, has Americans concerned about the debt heaped upon the shoulders of their children and grandchildren.

The stock market has rebounded a bit but banks are still holding their dollars in clenched fists.

But the magnitude of budget problems at the local level pale in comparison to the state’s projected budget shortfall of $2 billion to $2.5 billion. That comes on top of a $9 billion budget hole plugged earlier this year, largely with the use of federal stimulus dollars.

Cuts must come out of just $9.3 billion of the state’s $31 billion operations budget adopted in April

Gov. Chris Gregoire could eliminate the entire Department of Corrections and set every prisoner free and still save only $1.6 billion. Cutting all state funds for the University of Washington and Washington State University would save just $1 billion.

While the challenges in the public and private sectors are monumental, millions of Americans cling to the belief that we are a resilient nation that has faced adversity in the past yet have emerged from world wars and the Great Depression stronger and more united than ever.

On this day we can also be thankful for the food on our tables and the friends and family members we hold dear.

As we prepare to dine on turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, potatoes and pumpkin pie, the conversation might well flow toward the challenges facing the nation — from our economic concerns to the war in Afghanistan. Let us be mindful to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives and the richness of our relationships.

That’s what Thanksgiving is all about.