Can You Afford It?

NEW YORK (Reuters) – “Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called on Thursday for a second economic stimulus package of $30 billion and for greater oversight of the U.S. financial system to prevent another housing crisis. “

First, this plan is not much different from those proposed by all candidates. I have no ax to grind with Mr. Obama. But, I doubt he has $30 billion he is planning to inject into the economy. Neither do any of the other candidates. So where does the money come from? The United States Government produces no income. They have only the money they take from you. Most of the people in trouble now are there by their own choosing and mistaken idea that one can “have it all, right now.” ARM’s, interest only mortgages, million dollar homes in the hands of folks who make $70,000 a year and have no savings, investment, or collateral, what did we think was going to happen?

The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, and the folks in the middle (that’s most of us) get tapped for another $30 billion to fix it. . .for now. Then it will all happen again. . .at least it always has.

We need to learn that life does not consist in the abundance of things. One should be able to work hard and trust God, live sensibly, help to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and care for those who are sick, and visit those in prison.

If we could just learn to live by God’s Biblical revelation, we wouldn’t have these issues.