IF WE KEEP DOING THE WRONG THING, DO YOU REALLY THINK IT WILL GET BETTER?

     There are numerous things we're doing wrong, programs we've started that aren't working, some have failed and continue to  get worse, and others we just seem to think will go away all together. Do these people think they'll be out of office when it blows up in somebody else's face?
     I'm sorry, I'm not even elected yet and already I'm blaming it on the last guy  here. Let me start over...
     We've known for years that the Social Security system was failing, running out of money. We knew better than to borrow money from it—which we knew we couldn't or wouldn't pay back. When you whack yourself on the thumb with a hammer, you don't hope the pain will go away—you stop what you're doing! It's not going to get better until you quit hitting yourself.
     When medical expenses are spiraling out of control, like an airplane, you jump out or you pull up. What kind of pilot rides it down to the ground. It appears some people think it's all a dream—their term will be up, they'll wake up, and they'll be out of here and collecting their pension before the inevitable crash and burn. 
     How many years have we watched our education system collapse. How many times have we reported lower grades, higher failure rates, and Johnny still can't read and write?
     There are rarely quick or easy fixes to these types of problems. Is that why we appear to no longer demand some change? If it's broke, fix it. Don't ride that horse till it dies.
     There I go again. I'm starting to sound like a politician promoting change on the broken back of the incumbent. Change doesn't come easy. If it were easy you would think any Democrat or Republican with a basic working knowledge of economics could solve our financial problems. If you haven't figured out the answer to that yet—it's don't keep spending money you don't have.
     Our forefathers did without some things. They ate potatoes with brown spots. They stewed tough meat. They wore faded blue jeans— I don't mean the $200 kind. 
     It seems simplistic. Don't spend more than you've got. Quit spending and start saving what you can. Live on some amount less than you make. And, if you're making nothing right now, start making something! Even if it's just a plan—better than the plan you're working under now.
     Good luck with that. Next time let's take one specific challenge and see what we can do with that. Let's work together...for and in your best interests.


     Got an idea? I'm listening...