I was ranting in a comment on Lisa’s blog so I decided to write one of my own. This week I’ve spent a lot of time listening to the radio and reading the paper, trying to learn more about the so-called “Economic Crisis” that we’re in. At the beginning of the week I was angry at the thought of such a huge government handout that will increase our taxes and saddle our children and grandchildren with a ton of debt. Now, at the end of the week, I’m fuming.
The more I learned about this ridiculous piece of legislation, the more frustrated I get because it doesn’t simply contain money for failing banks. As they’re negotiating an agreement, our “leaders” are sneaking in money or clauses for their own special projects or buddies. As if the largest government takeover in history isn’t enough. My tax dollars. Are you KIDDING ME?
I’m frustrated that the government set up regulations requiring lending institutions to give loans to people who couldn’t afford them. Though I feel for them, I’m mad at those people for getting loans that weren’t prudent and I’m mad at the companies for mis-managing them. But what I really can’t get over is the fact that no one wants to take responsibility and end the madness. We think we can just keep with the buy now and pay later philosophy that is rampant throughout society. It will be hard to keep a free, democratic government when half the population seems bent on socialism and entitlement. I’m not excited about the idea of a recession but the free market is a system that corrects itself. The reason that it works is because it ebbs and flows. If we don’t let it correct, the longer we go on trying to live in perma-prosperity, the harder we’ll eventually crash. I can remember money being tight when I was younger, our mom made most of our clothes. Today, I sew clothes and gifts for fun, not out of necessity. However, I’m not afraid of a rough time because hard things make us stronger, help us learn important lessons and most of all keep us humble.
So my gratitude is to the House Republicans who wouldn’t buckle under Pelosi and pass a ridiculous bill. Thank you for standing up for the taxpayers and letting everyone know there are other ways to cushion this economic blow. Thank you for suggesting a much less expensive plan that offers insurance for risky loans which leaves accountability with the companies. Thank you for leading and good luck working with those other dingbats out there who don’t seem to understand that the free market needs to drive our problem solving efforts. Please let people keep more of their own money to invest, free up some cash by limiting the capital gains tax or lowering corporate taxes. Let us invest more of our money and we’ll do it wisely. This may mean that we have some rough years but I honestly think that might do this country some good.