Politics

So much in my brain that needs to come out.  I've exhausted myself with politics.  I am convinced thast America is on the decline not because America isn't smart, but because they are ignorant.  We are doing things on automatic because we don't know any better.  It isn't that I am uncaring about the poor and underprivileged (I grew up that way and I am cetainly not rich now!), it is that it cannot be SUSTAINED.  I would love to make sure every family in America has a tv, phone, food, shelter, insurance and transportation.  HOWEVER, we cannot afford it.

There are things that are good and wholesome and worthwhile that my personal family cannot afford either.  Hubby and I went to a fundraiser banquet recently and my heart was stirred in a big way.  I wanted to write a huge check to this ministry and help them raise the funds they need to help all the people the way they want to help.  However, hubby and I had already determined what we could afford before we went and that is what we were able to give.

Emotional giving is something we all face.  People appeal to our emotions to try to prompt us to give more money.  I got no problem with that.  Maybe you give up a luxury item to be able to give more.  Maybe you give up alot of things to really bless a charity.  That is awesome and I applaud it.

The same should not hold true for TAXES.  Taxes are collected to maintain the government in the way the Constitution outlines.  We COULD pare back governmental spending to just those things and then from there we can see what is left and where we can afford to help with other stuff.  How about we start paring back Congressional benefits until crooks and theives are not so attracted to it.  Don't appeal to my charitable leanings for GOVERNMENT.  Don't tell me that because someone is UBER rich that they should have to pay more.  BULL.  They are not the enemy.  No one should be able to force you to give more of your income because you have worked hard for it and make more than others.  Taxes should be percentage based, period.  Do you realize that most people in America do not pay taxes and the very rich pay over 50% of their income?  In what world is that fair???  People with kids get a HUGE tax credit...why?  Did we not choose that?

I love this country and all she has to offer.  At this point in the game, anybody that is willing to work hard can earn a living.  I worked two part time jobs when I was fresh out of high school so I could live on my own in Paducah and go to school.  That is alot of working time and I still did not make alot of money as both jobs were minimum wage.  However, it did teach me to live frugally.  There were not any extras.  It was a good lesson.  I don't consider cable, cell phone and eating out to be needs.  Those are luxuries.  Even transportation is a luxury...cars cost alot to operate and maintain.  Pets are another luxury.  Cell phones are certainly a luxury.

My point is, our government needs to cut back on spending and so does its citizens.  We need an education in basic needs versus luxuries.  We need to stop worrying about what everyone else has and focus on what we can afford.  Those pesky 'Joneses' always keep buying more stuff...it makes them impossible to 'keep up with'...so we should probably go ahead and stop trying.