I've been struggling...
I haven't written anything too heartfelt lately, aside from my adoration of my dog, because with all the anger in the world right now, I have too much to say. Since I'm also VERY limited on discussing anything financial or economic on the web, I can't really say what I think. Or defend what I think with actual data. It's a new concept to many people who have lots to say but no actual facts to back up anything they are saying.
So I will keep it short, so I can get it out and get over my writer's block.
#1- The Tea Party and the Occupy Wall Street people bother me both equally. You both are saying very loudly "Where's my piece of the pie?" You both feel screwed somehow. You both feel that others have something that you don't. I find it ironic. I do want to emphasize, I am very glad that people are motivated to FINALLY get involved after years of being apathetic. For the record, I've been complaining about PAC's, the wealth gap, excessive government spending, the growing dependency on government benefits for years- both movements' issues. Truly. To a point I've killed a few dinner party conversations. The answers lie in the middle. And now I must not speak any longer.
#2- The government is not a business. Please stop trying to compare it to one. The government provides services that are needed (or that's what they are supposed to do). They are not supposed to be profitable. And when you do bitch about taxes or spending being too much, you can no longer bitch about how long it takes to get anything done with our new, leaner government. Yep, you're gonna be on hold and waiting in line a lot longer. You asked for it, you got it. Now shut up.
#3- Education is a good thing. Learning more is always positive. Being intelligent is a good thing. Getting a diploma is not necessarily the same thing as getting an education- especially if it was based on multiple choice tests online. Reading, asking questions, being able to communicate-- these are good things. Having an educated public is essential for economic growth. Having an uneducated public gets us to where we are today. When did being smart become a negative?
#4- Some day something bad will happen to you. It might be you who loses your job, has a sick family member, has a special needs child. Just because you've been lucky doesn't necessarily mean you've done anything to "earn" it. When these bad things happen to you, I can assure you, you will be reaching out for help.
#5- With that said, my success does not impede yours. When you were riding the gravy train of success, I didn't tell you to buy a house you can't afford, take trips that you can't pay for and not save a dime. For crying out loud, live within your means.
#6- Without quelching everyone's new motivation to be involved, here's the scoop-- is it really that bad? Is your biggest cut back that you had to drop HBO? Cut coupons? Not eat out every night? Seriously? People all over the world live in the fear of their own military, they don't have water, they have to decide which child lives or dies.... and I don't mean shut up and be grateful. Be loud with your concerns, but be grateful.
The world is a wonderful place. I've just been frustrated with all of the misdirected anger. Our political system is clearly broken, but our hatred of each other needs to stop. I know people who have read my blog, realized I'm a Democrat and stopped-- suddenly my insights aren't so insightful. I find that sad. Very sad. I'm quite moderate actually.
In the end, I believe that we all agree more than we disagree. And I think we all need to turn off the TV and think about what we, in our hearts, truly want for ourselves and for our nation. It is not anger. It is not hatred.
Thank you for letting me get that out. I hope my crazy, middle of the road opinions haven't ostracized everyone.
Now, I will go back to my usual blogs on important issues like fundraisers, laundry and wacky people I meet.
So I will keep it short, so I can get it out and get over my writer's block.
#1- The Tea Party and the Occupy Wall Street people bother me both equally. You both are saying very loudly "Where's my piece of the pie?" You both feel screwed somehow. You both feel that others have something that you don't. I find it ironic. I do want to emphasize, I am very glad that people are motivated to FINALLY get involved after years of being apathetic. For the record, I've been complaining about PAC's, the wealth gap, excessive government spending, the growing dependency on government benefits for years- both movements' issues. Truly. To a point I've killed a few dinner party conversations. The answers lie in the middle. And now I must not speak any longer.
#2- The government is not a business. Please stop trying to compare it to one. The government provides services that are needed (or that's what they are supposed to do). They are not supposed to be profitable. And when you do bitch about taxes or spending being too much, you can no longer bitch about how long it takes to get anything done with our new, leaner government. Yep, you're gonna be on hold and waiting in line a lot longer. You asked for it, you got it. Now shut up.
#3- Education is a good thing. Learning more is always positive. Being intelligent is a good thing. Getting a diploma is not necessarily the same thing as getting an education- especially if it was based on multiple choice tests online. Reading, asking questions, being able to communicate-- these are good things. Having an educated public is essential for economic growth. Having an uneducated public gets us to where we are today. When did being smart become a negative?
#4- Some day something bad will happen to you. It might be you who loses your job, has a sick family member, has a special needs child. Just because you've been lucky doesn't necessarily mean you've done anything to "earn" it. When these bad things happen to you, I can assure you, you will be reaching out for help.
#5- With that said, my success does not impede yours. When you were riding the gravy train of success, I didn't tell you to buy a house you can't afford, take trips that you can't pay for and not save a dime. For crying out loud, live within your means.
#6- Without quelching everyone's new motivation to be involved, here's the scoop-- is it really that bad? Is your biggest cut back that you had to drop HBO? Cut coupons? Not eat out every night? Seriously? People all over the world live in the fear of their own military, they don't have water, they have to decide which child lives or dies.... and I don't mean shut up and be grateful. Be loud with your concerns, but be grateful.
The world is a wonderful place. I've just been frustrated with all of the misdirected anger. Our political system is clearly broken, but our hatred of each other needs to stop. I know people who have read my blog, realized I'm a Democrat and stopped-- suddenly my insights aren't so insightful. I find that sad. Very sad. I'm quite moderate actually.
In the end, I believe that we all agree more than we disagree. And I think we all need to turn off the TV and think about what we, in our hearts, truly want for ourselves and for our nation. It is not anger. It is not hatred.
Thank you for letting me get that out. I hope my crazy, middle of the road opinions haven't ostracized everyone.
Now, I will go back to my usual blogs on important issues like fundraisers, laundry and wacky people I meet.
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