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I do agree with that personal debt is out of control today. I just can't understand why some people live way above their means trying to keep up some kind of image that will just come crashing down sooner or later.
However, I think there is an important difference between getting help when you encounter something that wasn't your fault. I don't agree that you should be on your own if you're in an accident or is struck by a sickness. In those cases, I firmly believe there should be a safety net to help you get back on your feet. I think the individualism where people only think about themselves has gone too far.
Huh???? I'm certainly not a fan of Pelosi, but she isn't a socialist. Not by any stretch.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Georgia
As I watch the news to see what other direction Today's America is going in, I hope to see world events, items on the economy, how our border will continue to be wide open, our soldiers in harms way. But what is the top story on ABC, MSNBC, and Fox News this evening in Today's America? Well, Britney Spears and her marriage issues
Has pop culture and the Me crowd finally succeeded in clouding Todays America's version of reality?
Sadly, yes. News isn't news any more so much as info-tainment. Blech.
Which goes a long way to explaining why blogs and internet news sites are so popular. When the TV news is no longer about news, it's not wonder that people are looking elsewhere.
Yeah I have my 401K's and credit cards payed off and good salary and so forth, and my retirement planned. What I worry about is their problem may eventually become MY problem. Who will pay when all these freeloaders that just have to have the Lexus and the $800k houses finally defaults and files for bancruptcy? Taxpayers, you and I.
It comes down to personal responsibilty, or the lack of. Today's culture says that when a person has a problem, a loss, a misfortune, an accident, an addiction, a sickness, it is not there problem, but YOUR problem. That's why we had thousands of people sitting like a herd of helpless cows outside the NO superdome during Katrina, that's why we have rich lawyers suing McDonalds whenever a cup of coffee is spilled by a customer, that's why we have people thinking that the government owes them social security payouts exceeding what they paid into it so that when I retire nothing will be left.
Amen...I'm not sure why the responsibility and accountability in America has just gone down the drain...along with respect of any kind. Sometimes I really miss the "old days" and I'm not even 40, yet. Big sigh.....
Amen...I'm not sure why the responsibility and accountability in America has just gone down the drain...along with respect of any kind. Sometimes I really miss the "old days" and I'm not even 40, yet. Big sigh.....
I think accountability, etc., has gone down the drain in this country because of the role models projected by our top leadership. And I am not singling out Bush, but pretty much all of them after Kennedy. Yes, Kennedy may have been fooling around with Marilyn, but that was really his private business. He really inspired the nation to look beyond our day-to-day lives and dream of a bright future. People say I'm nuts for thinking that anyone 'looks up' to politicians for moral guidance, but I believe they do have an impact on how we live, on a subconscience level. When people see our government leaders behaving less than stellar, ie, taking bribes, overspending, fearmongering, well, I think many people think, "they're doing it, they're getting theirs, I want Mine!" It's kind of like the 'trickle-down' theory of economics; trickle-down greed and immorality.
People only think they are "debt free." Our government has been spending thousands of dollars in YOUR name that YOU owe, with INTEREST. Until this country gets back to "pay as you go" spending, none of us will ever be debt free.
I must say this board is quite a relief, both sides of the ilse presenting views, debating, and not stooping to trivial namecalling and such.
You make a great point regarding the debt issues. Today's ME generation is a great example. I live outside of Atlanta and boy ole boy does the comments above hit home.
I for one have a decent home, normal cars, and debt free. We have great neighbors, and live in a safe area. No, you don't see Hummers, Mercedes 600's, and Escalades in the driveways of most homes here and it seems like a normal conversation of such during our get togethers. Most in my development live like me. Comfortable, but thrifty.
Once you leave our development and go up the road a few miles you can run into yuppie city.
Example:
- People in their 30's - 40's with 2.5 kids But how are they living?
Nothing to see Mommy in her spandex with the pony tail and ball cap driving the giant SUV that could make an aircraft carrier look like a PT boat. Complete with Blue Tooth, the DVD player, and Starbucks cup.
Driving back and forth like it is the world who owes her. Then Dad is at the 800K home on an interest only mortgage trying to find a way to pay the 30 day past due lease payment on the SUV.
Seems like anytime you go into a restaurant anymore and see a waitperson walking past to the other group (above) and giving back their maxed out Visa telling them they need some other form of payment.
Other items, Atlanta now has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation. Just drive through a few of those types of developments and see the signs. No, these are not your normal 4 BR 2 BA home with a 2 car garage, they are 6-7 BDRMS 4-5 bath 3-4 car garage homes!
Who in the bloodyheck needs a home this big? Do these folks realize there are taxes and upkeep on top of their interest only mortgage?
Anyway enough of my soapbox, it's time to ping Mo Mark for a rep boost on his response!
That was awfully kind of you to say Georgia! Thank you!
People only think they are "debt free." Our government has been spending thousands of dollars in YOUR name that YOU owe, with INTEREST. Until this country gets back to "pay as you go" spending, none of us will ever be debt free.
There's a difference between personal debt and public debt. A person who is personally debt-free has far less to immediately worry about than one who isn't. The main effect of national debt as you describe is that it eventually backfires on the whole economy and affects all of our prospects, those in personal debt and those who aren't. However, if you own your home free and clear, don't have credit card debt, don't have auto debt, and don't take money out of your home in the form of 'equity', you're in a lot better position of independence to make the changes required to survive. We definitely need to get back to a practice of living within our means as a nation though, I agree.
Yeah I have my 401K's and credit cards payed off and good salary and so forth, and my retirement planned. What I worry about is their problem may eventually become MY problem. Who will pay when all these freeloaders that just have to have the Lexus and the $800k houses finally defaults and files for bancruptcy? Taxpayers, you and I.
It comes down to personal responsibilty, or the lack of. Today's culture says that when a person has a problem, a loss, a misfortune, an accident, an addiction, a sickness, it is not there problem, but YOUR problem. That's why we had thousands of people sitting like a herd of helpless cows outside the NO superdome during Katrina, that's why we have rich lawyers suing McDonalds whenever a cup of coffee is spilled by a customer, that's why we have people thinking that the government owes them social security payouts exceeding what they paid into it so that when I retire nothing will be left.
Yeah even when the Feds gave the Katrina victims those debit cards they bought booze, hookers,abortions, expensive vacations. But the libs want us to keep helping these people.
Huh???? I'm certainly not a fan of Pelosi, but she isn't a socialist. Not by any stretch.
Sadly, yes. News isn't news any more so much as info-tainment. Blech.
Which goes a long way to explaining why blogs and internet news sites are so popular. When the TV news is no longer about news, it's not wonder that people are looking elsewhere.
I agree Pelosi is no Socialist at home, she is a very wealthy capitalist that takes advantage of the cheap labor in this country.
I agree also news is not news anymore. We must dig and dig and do the job the mainstream media will not do.
11 years later the liberals are back to the same BS now with Russia being the main reason, they never change.
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