This has felt like a week full of Mondays. There have been highs and lows, but seemingly more lows, much like the sudden drop on a rollercoaster ride. I know that some like that feeling but I for one do not. I do not anticipate next week to have many more high points, but I am holding out hope.

Our country is coming off the exhilaration of seeing the first African American nominated as a candidate for President. Not be outdone, McCain declared his running mate and chose a virtual unknown. This election year will go down as one of many many surprises.

This is the last unofficial weekend and holiday of the summer and by next week, most children will be returning to school. Parents all over will breathe a sigh of relief as there will not be any constant murmurings of "I'm bored" and "I have nothing to do" for a few more months.

Gas prices have dropped back into the $3 and something range again, but will they stay after the resulting damage from not one but two impending hurricanes? I find it sickening that we get excited when gas runs around $3.60 a gallon. Less than ten years ago we griped when it reached $1.75 and even $2.

I don't mean to sound like I want to rain on the optimist's parade, but I know that my feelings lie more in the realistic range. No white washing for me, thank you. However, I also continue to hold out hope that the last four months of this year will bring good and better things.

I still have that nasty feeling in the pit of my stomach when the rollercoaster ride makes a sudden drop though. There are two hurricanes in the Atlantic region and it is possible that Gustav could rival Katrina not long after the dawn of her third anniversary. I am really hoping and praying that somehow our southern states can be spared. It is encouraging that evacuations and preparations have been taking place appropriately after the fiasco three years ago, but it is daunting when you think that many may have no homes or communities to return to.

In this decade, our country has suffered through horrific and shocking terrorism on our own shores not seen since Pearl Harbor more than fifty years ago. The US has also suffered some catastrophic natural disasters that have spotlighted the need for change there as well.

We are to be the finest country in the free world yet it is shameful how under prepared we are to meet the needs of our own citizens in such emergencies and worse yet, everyday life. How many children will return to school next week undernourished at home (if they are fortunate to have one) and unprepared to meet the demands of the academic environment? And how many will not have homes and lives to return to if natural disaster takes them in one fell swoop?

It doesn't matter what the name of the man elected President in November really. I just want one who will return us to government for the people, and turn around the continuous sudden drop that our country has been experiencing for far too long. How long can we hold our breath in fear?