I am extremely saddened by the all cuts to education and social services we have seen implemented in the last week. I am in shock and appalled that our state representatives have overwhelmingly and disproportionately attacked the most vulnerable population in our state: our children. I for one think that everyone who has children in the state of Arizona should leave. I'm thinking that if you're not going to invest in my child, I'm not going to invest in you.
Am I bitter because I lost my job... No. I work in non-profits; this comes with the territory. But what brings me to tears is thinking about the children I know and love not being afforded a future.
Believe me, I understand that every state is running at a deficit. But believe me again, when I tell you Arizona's hit to children and families is the worst. For one, we never have provided and cared for them as we should (ie we rank 49th in EVERYTHING). Cuts to our already feeble system are absolutely devastating. And for two, other states have been smart enough to know that if we keep services in place for children and families we save money in the end. These budget cuts will be the costliest budget cuts Arizona has ever seen.
If Mark weren't in school I would be looking for employment out of state. I want my son to grow up in a state where they value PEOPLE. I want him to know PEOPLE MATTER; even if they don't have family and churches to fall back on.
Mark is usually the one to discuss politics on our blog, I know that my political views differ from most of the people that read this... which is why I usually leave it alone. But this last week has brought such sorrow to me, I can't keep it in. And to be honest, I don't know how anyone could disagree that these budget cuts are nothing short of a tragedy. But alas, I know people do. Otherwise the cuts wouldn't have been made in the first place.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Is CNN reading my blog?
It's funny how two day's ago I posted about our national deficit. Just today CNN broadcasted this. I thought I'd pass it on since it emphazies the main point of my post, that is to make debt real to the people.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Deficits DO Matter
Recently I debated publicly with a Citi Group financial planner who suggested the national deficit isn't a factor when giving financial advice to students my age. I was stunned at his views, as if that debt didn't really exist, just an unlimited credit card you never have to pay back. I realized most people had no idea how deep we are.
Since most of the current financial climate started from huge amounts of bad debt wouldn't it be important to factor in the biggest and badest?
We all know it's big, it's past 10.6 trillion. That's $10,600,000,000,000.00 (it's important to see all the zeros) But why is it so bad? Because a federal deficit is the only debt on earth that can be past on to future generations. ALL other debt dies with the person. So what does that mean? It has to be paid back! The question is when...
What if it were today? Guess what uncle sam sends you a bill for $34,830. Wait that's per person! So in my case my little family owes $104,490. Yeah right, like I have that laying around... So the debt continues and compounds.
In the very near term our dutiful congress is going to approve the largest budget deficit ever. Mostly due to a large stimulus plan around 900 billion (that's $900,000,000,000.00 again with the zeros)
It may be nessesary, it could avoid crisis, that's not my point. But the proposed package will add another $3,000 per person to that deficit (another $9,000 for my family) While I will probably see $1,000 in a tax credit I think I'd rather keep my other $8,000 and buy a car or something to save the economy. Most likely I won't see that money again... But you can bet we'll have to pay it back.
Probably nobody is still reading at this point, and I'm probably preaching to the choir but if we can't make the deficit more real to the public it will continue to grow at a rapid pace.
Christy and I saw a great movie on the topic called IOUSA, a little dreary but the facts are real, just remember the conclusions are predictions we can change our course!
Since most of the current financial climate started from huge amounts of bad debt wouldn't it be important to factor in the biggest and badest?
We all know it's big, it's past 10.6 trillion. That's $10,600,000,000,000.00 (it's important to see all the zeros) But why is it so bad? Because a federal deficit is the only debt on earth that can be past on to future generations. ALL other debt dies with the person. So what does that mean? It has to be paid back! The question is when...
What if it were today? Guess what uncle sam sends you a bill for $34,830. Wait that's per person! So in my case my little family owes $104,490. Yeah right, like I have that laying around... So the debt continues and compounds.
In the very near term our dutiful congress is going to approve the largest budget deficit ever. Mostly due to a large stimulus plan around 900 billion (that's $900,000,000,000.00 again with the zeros)
It may be nessesary, it could avoid crisis, that's not my point. But the proposed package will add another $3,000 per person to that deficit (another $9,000 for my family) While I will probably see $1,000 in a tax credit I think I'd rather keep my other $8,000 and buy a car or something to save the economy. Most likely I won't see that money again... But you can bet we'll have to pay it back.
Probably nobody is still reading at this point, and I'm probably preaching to the choir but if we can't make the deficit more real to the public it will continue to grow at a rapid pace.
Christy and I saw a great movie on the topic called IOUSA, a little dreary but the facts are real, just remember the conclusions are predictions we can change our course!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)