Article 10
I predict, with a smile
We all have heard that when we get to the new millennium that our computers will shut down. General chaos will hit all our communities. The federal government will cease to function.
I want to tell you what to expect when the federal government faces the great switch over. It will be total chaos. Imagine all the systems that the government has functioning and the number of computers that we depend on with those agencies. How can we expect to make it through the new age!
Take welfare for example. Millions of people are dependent on those monthly checks. These are families that need the funds to help them through tough times. Yet because of Y2K these checks will be late or will not even be issued because of this pending disaster.
Communications will become almost impossible. On the January 1st computers that we depend on within the government will not be able to function. All calls will halt. If you need to call for help in your time of need, there is no hope. The chip of knowledge will go blank in total darkness.
The federal reserve will not be able to manage banks or any other financial process. The economy will face a major obstacle of control and function. How will the government be able to pay the bills? The currency will dry up and there will be headlines of panic.
There are hundreds, no thousands of agencies that will not be able to meet budget. Consider just the Environmental Protection agency as an example. It won't be able to meet payroll. The workers will not go out to observe and correct infractions. Pollution will be rampant in the streets, rivers and communities of the nation.
Congressional actions will screech to a halt. The staff and aids will not be paid. Laws will not be considered for passage. Debates won't be held. Washington itself will not be able to survive. Now I know that some might think this is a good thing but in effect it will cause hassles and potential harm.
Medicare will reach a breaking point. Those funds will not be reachable. Medical service will dry up. Doctors will choose not to serve people, the elderly, the indigent or anyone who depends on this vital program.
Funds won't be transferred to the state level so there will be "trickle down chaos." There are hundreds of federal mandated programs that are funded by our tax dollars. The computers won't be able to disseminate the funds to the needed accounts and the states will suffer. People will suffer.
The basic bills of the federal government will not be paid. The electricity, water and other basic services will be shut off. The national parks, federal offices, federal buildings, and so on will have to close. Help will not be found. The computers will sit in abject darkness of millennial hopelessness.
When the federal government makes the change to the new fiscal process we will have to deal with this chaos, misery and general despair. All of this sounds pretty bad and gloomy.
BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED ALREADY! On October 1, 1999 the Federal Government threw the switch on THE NEW FISCAL YEAR! We are already into the new millennium and NOTHING HAPPENED. Wait, I'm sorry something did happen in Maine the computers listed all the 2000 year manufactured vehicles as horseless carriages. Poor people, I hope they have enough street cleaners! Now that is a problem.
Speaking of problems if you suspect a difficulty with your computer system take it to a reputable dealer such as The Electronic Village and have a Y2K check performed on it. Or give us a call at 618-526-8301. E-mail me your questions at harvey@papadocs.com.
E-mail the editor