Our nation’s economy: The perfect scapegoat 

Commentary by Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig

I waited all week for the news. 

And early Tuesday morning the decision was made: Miss California — Carrie Prejean — will be allowed to retain her crown and finish out her reign as our state’s Miss USA representative. 

Whew.

I was poised at the end of my Lazy Boy, like so many other Americans, as the Donald gave us his organization’s verdict. Neither racy lingerie photos nor “miscommunications” between Prejean and her state pageant directors would convince pageant officials that she should be stripped of her tiara. 

Despite her vocal support against gay marriage — which I could take in a whole different direction, but won’t — the young woman from San Diego will be able to spend her last six months as queen, waving, smiling and wearing her crown proudly. 

Why was the media fascinated with this and so many other stories that some would say are totally ridiculous and a waste of our free TV time?

My answer: Have you looked at the economy and the current state of the world over the last year or so? 

Although our economy shows some signs of improvement, it is still in disarray. Our state’s unemployment rate is beyond the 10 percent mark, we are still in the middle of a war that looks like it’s morphing into another and crime is up in many cities. There is increased homelessness and hopelessness for many and despite being back on track with a new president, it’s going to take a little time to be a nation that flourishes in all areas again. 

It’s no wonder people want to hear something different, regardless of how mindless it may be. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of volleying my eyes between the Chiron on one corner of my TV to the stock ticker on the other. From time to time I find my fingers taking over my Comcast remote to find something that in certain company, I’d never admit to even briefly stopping on. 

It’s an escape from reality … or should I say, to it? 

Times are tough and not everyone has the money or luxury to take a trip, near or far. So tell me what is more relaxing than sitting back with a cold one, watching something that takes your mind away from the world outside for 30-60 minutes. Yeah, reading does … but then you have to think. 

Thanks to this growing-in-popularity stress alternative I now can wait anxiously to see if Adam or Danny will be the victor. I can now see if Ricki will be a better headmaster than Sharon. I was able to cheer on Tammy and Victor as they raced to the finish line and yell at Jen for stopping at the Port A John. I shed tears when some deserving family yells, “Move that bus!,” can see the similarities between Chef Ramsay and a former boss and wish I looked as good as Myammee does in her next to nothings. I can wonder what it’s like to be locked up in my house for three months with cameras on me 24/7 and who names their child “Dog,” anyway? 

The day will come and trust me, it will. And trust me again; it’s not too bad. And if you even smirked at any of the above observations, you too have let your finger wander.
Just know you can always blame it on the economy. 

I know I do. 

Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig is an award-winning journalist who resides in Oakland. If you have an individual, organization, issue or other topic that may be of interest to the Globe’s readers, contact her at talk2mfc@yahoo.com. Visit her blog at www.stpminute.blogspot .com.