Our Problem

gdcpony · June 27, 2008

Our Problem.

If I had to give a list of the problems we face as this country slides from its pinnacle, the list could fill a novel. So how do we even begin to fathom how to solve any of them? Especially when any solution adds it’s own list of problems. We can do as we do now and sit and complain about these issues. We could continue to blame everyone else like we do now. We could even expect to be rescued by the same government (I really don’t care who is in charge; it is the same bureaucracy) that we are blaming.

I think we all need to take a good honest look at the real problem. That is us. We are used to easy. We are used to doing little and getting allot. We are used to not having to care. We are used to our pride, our selfish “Semper I” attitudes, and our dependence on others to solve every little problem for us. Now, we must all get down and dirty and carry our own fat butts out of the hole we’ve dug.

My family is feeling the pinch too. In the last two years our income has dropped 40%, but bills have mostly stayed the same, and expenses have gone through the roof. We can’t sell our house (the biggest bill) because property values are down so far. I get 30mpg out of our cars, but still barely afford the gas to go to work. Worst, I know what the picture looks like in the future. So how do we deal with it? I have a freezer full of game, and a pantry of canned vegetables. I have drug a motorcycle out of a barn in the hopes that I can make it run and save on gas. My wife is sweating beside me to put wood away for the winter. My kids are going through a summer where they have no more free time than during the school year as they too are slaving away in the garden, woods, and in the house. We are digging deep and trying to make it as things get harder. We aren’t asking anyone else to do it for us.

So what about everyone else? All the griping about gas prices, yet you are still buying it. Not just what you need, but enough to go on trips, to the movies, and of course you absolutely must go shopping. Yep, for all the complaining, we sure are doing allot about it. I guess you could say that we have to get to work, get the groceries, and such, but really is that all you are doing? How much could you not spend in a given month if you cut back to the bare essentials? I see boats being hauled, motorcycles and ATV’s, people just out for a spin. These same people are the reason we all pay so much.

What would happen if we all just cut back? Not just a little, but trim everything down to the absolute minimum. I remember something an oil company executive said when asked why the prices are up so high. He said it’s because that’s the only way to stop people from buying it faster than we can make it. What if we weren’t driving our refineries to their limits? Simply that alone might bring down prices. But what else could you save on? Do you truly need a new wardrobe? Is that movie really so good? Are you unable to cook your own meals? How much gas alone would you not be buying? We won’t even add the rest of the funds.

I acknowledge that I am just as guilty as anyone else for the mess this country is in. I defended our right to screw it up, and actively participated. Now we are paying for it. We will continue to pay for it until we decide to do more than gripe about it.

Some want others to carry them through. I can’t carry anymore. Regardless, they seem to think the world owes them something. For some reason they are granted some privilege of never needing to care about their effect on others. I doubt they even care how much of a burden they are to those of us who are trying. Those people need a swift kick into the real world where you help yourself if you want help from others.

If you are unable to make it, then guess who is to blame. Not me, not your parents, not the government, and not some imaginary culture barrier. Nope, it is your own fault. You have- like me- led yourself down this road. In fact, I will go so far as to say that if you are offended by this, it probably applies to you. Do not sit in your room blaming me. Face it and do something about it yourself. I am.

Bent Not Broke,

George D. Clayton

Zembonez · June 27, 2008

"as this country slides from its pinnacle"

What a load of total whiney BS.

I'm sorry that you see this as a totally failed and "unfixable" problem. I do not believe all of the gloom and doom being published on every front.

Perhaps this is a regional issue.

There are certain areas here where businesses have slowed some but I do not see anybody really suffering. Car dealers are slow because it's just a way of life in the car biz anytime there is a ripple in the economy. RV sales are doing pretty well, and there are plenty of boats on the water. If you listen to so called "news" then we are in a plane whose wings have fallen off at 30,000 feet and we are headed for the ground. Every boom cycle sees an end and there are always those who thought the boom was the "norm" and spent way beyond their means. They will get hurt. Many will lose all. It's pretty had to insure yourself against stupidity. We are a population of financial idiots.

Since when did Americans sit around and just let themselves be "whipped"? What a land of whiny "poor me" people we have become.

I choose to succeed. I'll let you choose to do whatever it is that you see fit.

Those who choose to fail better get out of my way... I'll be running over you in my full sized GMC truck.

EDIT: For the record here... I am not saying that everything in the post above mine is wrong. I disagree that things are as bad as they make them out to be but I admire the spirit of "we are going to do whatever it takes to make it work" that they have. That's what it takes to succeed. I do disagree with the notion that we are somehow doomed as a country.

tobias · June 27, 2008

Jim,

Hilarious and Awesome:

Those who choose to fail better get out of my way... I'll be running over you in my full sized GMC truck.

While I do agree that Americans, all of us, have grown accustom to leisure I vehemently disagree with one thing the OP had to say...

I see boats being hauled, motorcycles and ATV’s, people just out for a spin. These same people are the reason we all pay so much.

While I do understand that we all have some impact on the lives of others I will not apologize for one second for the fact that I have gone and acquired an education, gotten a good job, and worked hard to afford the things I want. Insurance, life insurance, retirement accounts, etc. all come first but with the money left over I have fun and I buy whatever the hell I want! Am I rich, hell no, but I will not sit in my house and hide from high gas prices. The main reason I won't... because I don't have to. I work hard so I can play hard. Isn't that what it's all about?

I feel sorry for anyone who's got it rough right now, I honestly do, but I also know no one handed anything to me. I earned it and I'll be damned if I don't enjoy it.

rvsahs · June 27, 2008

Thank you George. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view. Are you a ray of sunshine every day?

BigJayDogg3 · June 27, 2008

Jim,

Hilarious and Awesome:

Those who choose to fail better get out of my way... I'll be running over you in my full sized GMC truck.

While I do agree that Americans, all of us, have grown accustom to leisure I vehemently disagree with one thing the OP had to say...

I see boats being hauled, motorcycles and ATV’s, people just out for a spin. These same people are the reason we all pay so much.

While I do understand that we all have some impact on the lives of others I will not apologize for one second for the fact that I have gone and acquired an education, gotten a good job, and worked hard to afford the things I want. Insurance, life insurance, retirement accounts, etc. all come first but with the money left over I have fun and I buy whatever the hell I want! Am I rich, hell no, but I will not sit in my house and hide from high gas prices. The main reason I won't... because I don't have to. I work hard so I can play hard. Isn't that what it's all about?

I feel sorry for anyone who's got it rough right now, I honestly do, but I also know no one handed anything to me. I earned it and I'll be damned if I don't enjoy it.

W00T1!!

svensk · June 28, 2008

Jimmy Carter wants his speech back...

My fav. part,

I see boats being hauled, motorcycles and ATV’s, people just out for a spin. These same people are the reason we all pay so much.

WRONG!

BigJayDogg3 · June 28, 2008

Jimmy Carter wants his speech back...
My fav. part,

I see boats being hauled, motorcycles and ATV's, people just out for a spin. These same people are the reason we all pay so much.

WRONG!

You (svensk) are correct. Supply isn't the problem. That's why cutting back on driving won't really do much good.

Chestah · June 28, 2008

From the lips of the man in charge of African Exxon operations, anyone who tells you tell gas prices are high in a single sentence simply doesn't know what they are talking about.

svensk · June 28, 2008

From the lips of the man in charge of African Exxon operations, anyone who tells you tell gas prices are high in a single sentence simply doesn't know what they are talking about.

Yeah, but if we didn't have to deal with certain *ahem* regulations they could be lower...