HAVE WE GONE CRAZY?

The country is going crazy. Economic activity is down from last year…down a lot. The people and businesses of the country tell vividly the state of our economy. It is what it is. Since 1985 and maybe before the country has been building a house of cards. We have been building a house with less foundation than is structurally required to hold it up. And, it has fallen to the level our more solid underpinnings.

Now congress is attempting to develop a stimulus plan to rebuild part of the fallen house. Most of what we hear about the developing plans indicates not much foundation building is included. So, the result is likely to be a big tax burden and no solid growth. The result will be a huge anchor for future generations of Americans. Some of those Americans are my children and grandchildren.

Why not admit our past mistakes and let the chips fall? Why not work on foundation and simply use the stimulus dollars to bailout the unfortunate ones who have lost their jobs and homes and need help to survive. Providing them with hollow jobs with no foundation would be a lie. We would be trying to provide hope that is hopeless. Let’s all stop living beyond our means and begin to live sensibly. Many of us can use our excess to help those in need. Will Rogers said it in 1929. “There is still the same amount of money around, its just in the wrong places.” The debt levels we have been promoting have fooled us into believing that there is more money somewhere. And, many banks and investment companies have tried unsuccessfully to turn that debt into assets and sell it for a profit. Those cards have tumbled. We should not try to build them back.

I say work together for the common good of the people and the nation. Let no one go hungry or be cold. Let’s build infrastructure and foundation and slowly but steadily improve our national strength. Let’s don’t pretend to be more than we are. Especially, let’s don’t pretend to be the savior of the world. Let’s not talk and spend beyond our means and capabilities. Let’s stop spending money we don’t have. Let’s act like America before its too late.