First I want to say that I don't know much about this budget crisis or debt ceilings and it doesn't seem to me that I can do much about it. Today I was on the mountain watching the dogs play and thinking about the speeches last night.
Through my life I have been in a "budget crisis" or two. When I left my marriage, had a child, a bunch of animals to care for and very little money coming in, it constituted for me a "budget crisis." We got through it. I had to put things in perspective and divide the money in a "what's most important" list.
The first of importance was food and housing for those that were dependent on me for their survival. The rent got paid and food for my child was bought. There were times I did without.
The animals protected and loved my daughter and I. They provided our security system which was very important because we lived in the woods and sometimes I had to leave my child in their care while at work. They were taken care of and I did without.
When things needed to be fixed like the car, the plumbing, a sick animal, I put those things on a credit card essentially raising my debt ceiling. I did not have a choice.
My daughter needed school supplies. Her education was very important to me. Without a good education, she would not have the ability to support herself when she got older. Again I had to raise my debt ceiling.
Things I did not do were to buy things for myself; designer clothes, more shoes, a bigger TV, expensive wine, go out for entertainment, eat steak or lobster. I made due with what I had and sold the extras.
What if I compared this to our country's situation. (Again, I am No expert.)
Replace my daughter with those on social security, Medicare, out of work, poor or need assistance to survive. Now the dogs would be the military and their families. My home would be the country, land that I live on. Education for my daughter would be education for all children. Taking care of these people seem to me a "No Brainer."
Replace me with those in power, those that have more, and those that run things. Now how come they are not doing without? I had to drain my bank account when things were tough, why don't they pay their fair share? Why are they driven around in limos? Why is this coming out of the tax money I pay when I would rather it go to someone who really needs it? Why are they paid so much when they don't do their job? (If I did not do the job I was paid to do, I would get fired. I don't know about anyone else, but that's how it has always worked for me.)
Where are all those jobs the big powerful companies promised if they would get tax breaks? Maybe I just can't see them from this cabin in the woods. Why do they want to take from Peter to pay Paul when Peter is broke and Paul has more money than God?
Maybe those in power should come down off their Capitol Hill and go door to door to those who manage to survive day to day with not much and see how it's done. Ask the single parents, the young adults just getting out of college, the retired folks, those that have to make a decision on what they can afford to feed their family this week.
It's been hard for a lot of people and they are sill making it work so why can't our government?
Maybe it is just that we love our families and are willing to sacrifice for them. Maybe those in power don't love this country and just love themselves.
