Learning to Weave: January 2009

Friday, January 30, 2009

On my mind

I've debated posting about this for 2 reasons.

One, the main point of my blog is for our families to see pictures of the kids and know what we are up to.

Two, the stimulus bill and Obama's ideals are not surprising. He may have been vague with some details and a lot of practicality of how we are going to pay for things while he was campaigning, but he was crystal clear about his ideals. And people voted for him anyway. So, it must be what the people want. I don't understand, but that is part of the beauty of the United States -we don't all have to agree.

However, my heart is just sinking at what I perceive to be foolish decisions. And friends who can't find work, and "solutions" that I believe will only lead to more of that.

And I'm not posting often because I am finding it hard to be light and carefree. So, today I decided to post what I'm thinking about.

We are finally reaping the "rewards" of making unwise choices, as a country feeling like we deserve more than we can afford, and a general lack of personal responsibility. And, my heart aches for those who did not personally live this way who are being caught up in the consequences. And I am not naive enough to think that my family is immune. We have been through 2 layoffs during our marriage, once for about a year, so I know how hard it can be.

But, I believe with all of my heart that any stimulus package, and especially this stimulus package, is not the solution. I didn't think Bush's "package" was the answer, and I don't think this one is either. I fully understand the desire to save us, and man, do I wish that I thought that this would do it. But I just don't think this is the path we should be taking. As Dr. Phil says, "You don't solve money problems with money." All this does is postpone the inevitable and take our children and grandchildren down with us. We have a debt problem and we are attempting to solve it with more debt. To me, it feels like continuing to gamble on the horses to solve the problem of gambling too much on the horses. We are praying for that "big win" that rarely comes.

A friend of ours posted about the stimulus package, and I think he says it well. I hope you will go read it here.