Posted by Tina
I thought this being a wait and see kind of Sunday it might be a good time to share an incredible article that explains how we really got in this financial mess. While Congress plays big shot tinkering with legislation that could aversely affect our very lives we can take the time to ponder a proposal that, if implemented, would actually have long lasting positive results and make a real difference.
Our focus should turn away from the shouting and finger pointing and toward the underlying failures of character that brought us to the edge of the cliff. A series of bad policies and deplorable behaviors caused this specific thing to happen, but years of neglect, nonchalance and low standards created the atmosphere for fellow citizens to behave in selfish, underhanded, fraudulent, despicable ways. In short we expect only the worst from people, and in infact we promote and glorify bad behavior, we should not be suprised when we winess the dire consequences that follow. Daniel Henninger speaks to this notion of personal and social failure in his excellent opinion piece:
“Give Me That Old-Time Religion, by Daniel Henninger WSJ Opinion
Mr. Henninger begins with a few succinct words:
Responsibility! Accountability! Discipline! Oversight! Rules!
Then hits us right between the eyes with the truth:
Yes, politicians will bend to any new wind that blows through, but this past week of financial turmoil has shown there’s a strong whiff in the air for the values of the greatest generation. This was the 20% generation. In the post-war years, young couples knew they’d somehow have to save 20% of the down payment on a home mortgage. That’s thrift, an archaic word I think is still in most dictionaries. *** Push this idea far enough, and you’re talking the world of “Ozzie and Harriet” (ABC-TV 1952-1966) versus “Sex and the City” (HBO, 1998-2004). Push further and you arrive at happy Sarah Palin and that family of hers. What Sarah represents produces pushback from the smart-set women on “The View” and big-city comedians and newspaper columnists, all trying to knock Little Miss Muffet off her too-perfect tuffet. *** This, in short, is the culture wars — endless and unwinnable. Until this week. This week revealed that when real money is on the line, even the left starts screaming for old-fashioned standards. (emphasis mine)
Read the article…let it sink into your entire being. If we want life to work personally and within our families, our communities, institutions, and government, we must adopt and exercise: responsibility, accountability, discipline, oversight and rules. Its our only hope for lasting and significant improvement.
THRIFT: savings accumulated through frugality : acquired or hoarded wealth; careful management especially of financial affairs : good husbandry : wise frugality in expenditure *children should early be trained to value thrift*