wow. it's getting heated on msnbc.

so much talk of President Obama's stimulus plan.  here's a cnn article outlining the basics of the plan.

characteristically, I'm skeptical of it... not of the target items in theory, more the mode of attack.  but then again, it's already been documented that I don't believe throwing a ton of money at a problem necessarily fixes anything.  to paraphrase d. ramsey, money tends to only magnify existing behavior and choices, both good and bad.   I think we've watched this play out since the first government bailout was implemented, an unprecedented move I still believe was a huge mistake and disaster motivated by fear and political pressure.

so many layoffs announced this week.  so many individuals and businesses cutting the excess to try to ride it out.  the media are collectively a depressing chorus.  consumers are accused of not buying enough stuff.  a man in California was laid off, so he killed his wife and children.  

we desperately need some hope.  and a far-seeing eye. and wisdom.  I keep thinking of a J. Knapp song as I write:

All these years to many ahead to think clear.
Some say where's my crystal ball.
Some men play the lottery
Makin bets against the governments economy.
They say I'd rather be rich than be alive at all.

When men in miry circumstances fall.
It won't be hard to tell where they placed their resolve.

Some trust in chariots.
But we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
To each his own won't lead you home
And probably never will.
I won't trust in the things I do.
They will not stand. they won't come through.
So I'll trust in the name of the Lord my God
I'll trust in the name..

Picket fences may build our defense.
In domestic wars of leisure suits.
That's OK it doesn't bother me.
You can hold onto your philosophy
Of What's mine is mine, what's yours is yours
But whats the truth?

When the walls do crumble and they fall.
It won't be hard to tell where we place our resolve.

Some trust in chariots.
But we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
To each his own won't lead you home
And probably never will.
I won't trust in the things I do.
They will not stand. they won't come through.
So I'll trust in the name of the Lord my God
I'll trust in the name...

- In The Name, J. Knapp

the brown-haired lady on the broadcast just derisively remarked about the 'nonsense' contained in Obama's stimulus bill.  the man defends the bill, and she cuts him off, demanding that he acknowledge that there is, indeed, 'nonsense' in this bill.  he concedes, 'sure, there's some nonsense, but you do what you do to get it passed and try to get that stuff out of it later'. (paraphrase)  that's how the bailout got passed, remember?  that's how things work.

I don't have very good answers.  I believe in simplicity - if you don't have the money to do something, maybe you shouldn't do it. save some money in case of emergency. debt = pressure, so be careful. don't do today what is going to put you and your family at great risk a year from now. desperation makes us do some pretty dumb things sometimes, so try really hard to keep from becoming desperate. I want something good to come out of all of this. I hope our children are taught about money matters, and become critical thinkers with the ability to delay pleasure. I want America to learn it's lessons and come out wiser and solid. I hope our leaders lead us in this path. here are some interesting and thought-provoking audio interviews conducted by Studs Terkel to collect information for his book Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression.  which I've not read yet, but would like to very much.