Why Criminals Should be Deemed the Most Influential People of 2006

As 2006 draws to a close, I have been pondering the question, Who is the most influential person of 2006. I've considered many people including President George W. Bush, Kim Jong II, and even Elmo (he certainly has a lot of influence around our house). But, I couldn't come up with a reason that these people were the most influential except for their names are well known.

I was thinking about this as I was leaving Wal-Mart the other night. I had gone to the store to grab a few items, and as usual, had spent too much time and money there. By the time I was going to my car, it was dark out. I carefully scanned the people I passed, being keenly aware of my surroundings. Then as I approached my car, I made sure to look underneath it in case someone was waiting there to harm me. I checked the back seat before getting in to make sure that no one was hiding there.

Then, it occurred to me. The most influential person of 2006, wasn't a single person at all. It was a group of people - criminals! Criminals had changed the way I conducted my daily business. Because of criminals, I now make sure to park next to a cart return at the market, so I won't have to walk to return it. If a space close to the cart return is unavailable, and my children are with me, I'll admit that I don't return the cart. I'm not risking someone kidnapping my children just so the cart can be in the right place!

It has become habit to make sure all the car doors are locked as soon as we get in the car. I make sure the doors of our house is locked as soon as you come in the house. After all, Memphis, TN (where I live) was ranked #1 in violent crimes this year. I don't want to be a statistic!

This is why there is such a suburban sprawl in Memphis. People get scared of the crime in the city. They run to the suburbs thinking they can escape criminals. And when crime comes to that area, they move again. But criminals don't stick to one area, so moving is somewhat futile. I live in one of the nicest suburbs near Memphis. And yet, I see drugs being sold on the streets all the time. When I put my address in the sexual predator database, I find there are at least three people within ten miles of my house. My neighbor had his car broken into about two weeks ago and his stereo stolen.

But, our local criminals are not the only ones influencing us. Our government has become corrupted with criminals. Just this week, two city council members in Memphis, TN were indicted on bribery charges. When the council voted on them being forced to resign, the measure failed. They are accused of taking bribes, and yet they are allowed to still serve on our council.

What about the Operation Tennessee Waltz scandal that is still unfolding? This scandal has effected the whole state of Tennessee. Several lawmakers were indicted and forced to surrender their positions in government.

Not to mention, Republican Mark Foley having inappropriate contact with paiges. What a humiliating time for the Republican party! And he is just one example of national politicians who have become corrupted.

These politicians are influencing our laws. Yet they break the very same laws they are there to make and withhold. This certainly has an influence in our daily lives.

Then, there is the ultimate criminals, terrorists. Yes, terrorists. They influence our lives every day. We are fighting a war that we are not sure that we are supposed to be in. We send our sons and daughters, our spouses, and our parents to fight this war. We don't know if they will come home or die protecting us from criminals.

Our privacy is invaded everyday, in the name of national security. We now must arrive at airports at least two hours early so that our belongings and even our bodies can be searched. There are limits on being able to take mouthwash, lotion, and toothpaste on flights. Our phone conversations are even taped. All in the name of safety. We must protect ourselves from criminals.

We move through our daily lives, not realizing the accommodations we have made for criminals. They influence our lives everyday. They change our economy. They make us more cautious of our surroundings. All of these things make criminals the most influential people of 2006.