Saturday, March 27, 2010

Cash for Clunkers Part 2

Okay, all you fine folks wanting your neighbors to help you purchase that new washer/dryer, refrigerator or air conditioner replacement; the State of  “Texas landed a $23 million slice of the $300 million appliance-rebate stimulus pie.” So reads the opening line of Tracy Hobson Lehmann’s article in the San Antonio Express-News , reprinted in the Houston Chronicle.

All that “free stimulus money” that comes out of somebody’s wallet, just not your own wallet; becomes available as of April 16th, makes me proud to be a tax contributor. You want to understand why the once greatest and most powerful nation on earth can’t blow its nose without getting permission from the Saudi’s or the Chinese; take a look at the red ink balance in our bank account, a figure so large most folks can’t begin to fathom.

Let’s spend some more and really be broke. The idea of being self reliant, paying your own way at one time was the rule rather than the exception. During the Bush years the “greatest generation” succumbed to the tantalizing carrot held in front of them, government assisted prescription drugs. “We’ve earned it”, came their response; in stereophonic surround sound no less. “We’ve been paying our taxes all these years; it’s about time we got something for our money”, as if such rationalization makes it perfectly fine to take money out of the next generation’s wallet.

Our government has grown so large as to make entitlements the law of the land. Instead of teaching self reliance and hard work the new mantra is “Use that stimulus money or somebody else will”. The national treasury is broke and yet our legislators spend like drunken sailors. I should amend that last line, at least when drunken sailors run out of money they stop spending.

Let’s work on a different strategy, one based on sound principles; “If the money ain’t there, don’t spend it.” You’ll forgive my countrified way of puttin’ things, them big city folks might talk nice; but it’s always on my dime.

I remember one of my church leaders, Robert D. Hales, telling of how he wanted to buy his wife a new coat , something he thought she would enjoy. His wife was delighted he’d considered such an expensive gift; but explained how much happier she’d be if they didn’t spend money on such an extravagance that she really didn’t need. The lesson, in case you were wondering, live within your means and you’ll be happy, perhaps even more so.

Lucy and I have lived within our budget for years and we sleep very well at night, not having to worry about folks we don’t owe money to and living quite well. There’s a certain peace of mind that comes with living providently; something which makes you stand a little taller with your shoulders squared. Unfortunately America can only hang its head in shame for abusing a corrupted system of taxation to the point of enslaving the rich to pay for the desires of the “less fortunate”, as if luck determines wealth, desires which have turned ugly and become demands.

So here we are, in debt up to our hips with the discipline of a dog in heat wondering why our liberties and freedoms are in jeopardy.

Let me help you load that new double wide refrigerator, the one with built in ice maker, cold water tap in the front and never needs defrosting. I’m sure the one that came with your new house a couple of years ago is totally used up. Did you remember to check on the energy consumption rating; those kilowatt hours add up in a hurry. Cap & Trade legislation is just around the corner and you’ll want to save every penny you can; I heard from those in the know, the cost of energy will triple or even quadruple in order to keep the EPA folks happy.

“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.” Thomas Jefferson

This article has been cross posted to The Moral Liberal , a publication whose banner reads, “Defending The Judeo-Christian Ethic, Limited Government, & The American Constitution”.

10 comments:

MathewK said...

"I should amend that last line, at least when drunken sailors run out of money they stop spending."

Exactly, and also, the sailors are spending their own money, unlike these parasites.

“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.”

Yep, many of us were dumb enough to think otherwise and here we are, with little left.

Lucy Stern said...

When I mentioned this issue to my dad many years ago he couldn't believe I was disappointed that he was jumping on the federal handout bandwagon for a measly sum which he could easily afford on his own. He never made the connection between federal money being used to buy his prescription drugs and the fact that somebody else was having to help pay, someone who wasn't receiving any benefit from that expenditure.

This is now the way things are and the money has run out, those wealthy enough to pay more than their fair share are being bled to death, enough so they will start looking for another country to live in, one that doesn't tax them to death.

T. F. Stern said...

Sorry, that last comment was from me, not Lucy. We share the same computer and I didn't notice until I'd already hit "enter"; but Lucy would have said the same thing. lol

Melody said...

"at least when drunken sailors run out of money they stop spending."....
Might I add, and then they pass out.
I don't owe nobody nuthin!
I don't have a credit card, a car payment... Oh ok I do have the mortgage, but it's a small mortgage, well under my means, and my first at 44 years old.
What a sense of pride I get not to owe people left and right.

T. F. Stern said...

Melody, Sounds like you have it under control, now teach others to do the same, even if it only reaches a couple of people that will help.

Starsplash said...

Unfortunately the money for these great programs does not exist. they are just printing it up-oh sorry, that is borrowing it from the rest of the world.

Melody said...

I've taught my daughters, who are grown now. That makes me happy.
On a side note, it would make me happy if your comment area included the "name/url" option to sign in with like i've seen on other blogger pages, so my name would link back to my blog :)

David said...

I dread the world my grandchildren (and after yesterday, I'll probably have some *heh*) will inherit. Still and all, the single best thing we can do is to model frugality and insist--as long as it takes--that our political class learn to practice at least some common sense.

T. F. Stern said...

Melody, When I had Haloscan, before they started charging for that service, I think it had the URL link set up. This is Blogger's simplified comment version, oh well.

If you would, you can type your URL into the comment and folks would have the opportunity to visit your site. I'd like to visit, so please spread some knowledge here.

Thanks for stopping by

T. F. Stern said...

David, We had our two grandchildren for a sleep over last night, a last minute baby sitting assignment for our daughter.

As a side note, if you'll read in the Book of Mormon, Helaman 7:4-9 there is a similar feeling expressed you would appreciate.

here's a link
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/hel/7