You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further brotherhood of men by inciting class hatred.
You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.
- Rev. William J. H. Boetcker
These ten cannots have been erroneously attributed to Abraham Lincoln on the internet, through e-mails. blog postings, etc.; but that doesn't make them any less applicable and certainly doesn't make them any less true.
Today, the US federal government is looking at a $7 trillion spending spree to boost the economy, create jobs, rebuild infrastructure, and generally throw money around like it grows on trees. Politico calls it the 21st Century New Deal, I call it foolishness. Why? Just look at the sound words above and you can plainly see how many cannots this big-spending government is violating with proposals like this.
Sadly, I believe that common sense is not so common anymore. The people of this nation have lost their way and are not thinking of the repercussions of things like this, and how they can effect things down the road.
We have an entire generation raised on credit card default, bankruptcy, and now foreclosure; not as unfortunate events that cannot be helped under extreme circumstances - but as a way of life. They heard a presidential candidate promise to spend more money, despite the debt is already astronomical. And they voted for him anyway.
One cannot help but wonder, why did they do this? Class envy, selfishness, ignorance, take your pick. Maybe in some cases, it was a combination of all three.
I will throw a little adage of my own to go with the good reverend's words above:
You cannot have wealth, if your debts are greater than your assets.
- LASunsett 2008
Think about it.
6 comments:
The best of life comes to us through moderation; excessive or obsessive behavior always lands us in trouble. As we mature, we learn that in matters of economics and finance, conservatism is the result of maturity, which is why it always seems that older people are better off financially than younger generations. It is simply that young people have yet to learn important lessons through experience.
As for the behavior of government, congressional leaders seem to act like immature young people who have yet to learn the value of a dollar. “We the people,” as taxpayers, are the much too tolerant parents who spoil their children with unlimited allowances. If we elected politicians who were themselves mature, and if we paid greater attention to what politicians are up to, we might achieve a more responsible government.
In my mind, it always comes back to the voter, who for far too long, has chosen unwisely. Will this every change? I have my doubts.
Great words...and yes, not Abe's. Were you the one who straightened me out on that? I have these on my blog page and somebody corrected me!! Boetcker. yes.
Somebody needs to send this to our government.
//As for the behavior of government, congressional leaders seem to act like immature young people who have yet to learn the value of a dollar.//
I hear people talk about kids of corporate execs are spoiled brats of elitist parents, who have never had any real responsibility and only have what they have because they inherited it. These are they that have had everything handed to them, haven't had to work for anything, and thus do not know the value of anything.
1. Some of those kids are groomed to and grow up to be, politicians. And when all is said and done, all they ever accomplish is living off of the government. (e.g. - the Kennedys)
2.Some get an allowance to do stupid stuff. (e.g. - the millionaire playboy type)
3. Still, others stay in the family business, carry on the name, and actually produce something of value. (e.g. - Steve Forbes and the likes)
Wouldn't it be fresh to see a guy like Joe the Plumber or Larry the Physical Therapist or Jane the Nurse win some seats and shake things up? These are people that have had to live within their means, unlike the ones born with the silver spoon in their mouths.
//Great words...and yes, not Abe's. Were you the one who straightened me out on that? I have these on my blog page and somebody corrected me!!//
No maam. It wasn't me. One thing i have learned is to never correct a woman in public. ;)
Awesome post LA, and I'm with mustang, I have my doubts as well.
Nobody wants to go through the gauntlet to get to the other side and save the future. It's tough. Losing a job was the pits when I was young and single but I can't imagine it now with other people to support. Yet is seems if we don't take the medicine and let the free market correct itself the country as we know it might soon be gone.
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