2008 was a huge transition point in my own family’s economic situation. My three-year appointment at a local college was nearly finished, and there were no prospects at other local colleges. Unable and unwilling to move, my academic career was essentially over. At the same time, my husband’s company was faltering. A major investment bank that we thought was unsinkable was sinking. As I sat in my office at the college, I watched his company’s stock ticker plummet  one morning. Would his company still exist in the morning?

It did survive, but the pain increased over the next five years. We sold a house at a big loss. (The whole saga is here, here, here, and here). After round after round of layoffs, my husband was swept up in the last round of layoffs in late 2011.

And then things got better. My husband found a new job.  All around us, we’re seeing baby steps of improvements. Other friends are finding new jobs. The line on the chart on Zillow is moving up. The contractors are hard at work on homes up and down my block.

But we’re in the middle class bubble. What’s going on outside this bubble of privilege?

The good news is Obamacare isn’t totally bombing. I think. I need to see more numbers.

The bad news is drugs, poverty, and hunger. The middle class recovery isn’t trickling down. A few articles over the weekend hinted at a dire situation. A dire situation that needs more attention.

The problem of rural poverty is sadly neglected. The New York Times has a great article about the situation in Appalachia.

49 million Americans have limited — or uncertain — access to enough food to meet their daily needs.

Minimum wage workers struggle.

These stories should be front page articles.