Stimulus Package! Enough is Enough!

Originally Posted in January 2008, this Opinion has become Reality

by Jason Smith 

Enough is enough! I can no longer sit back and be quiet about the stimulus package floating in DC.

As we are currently in a recession, many of our leaders are tossing around the idea of a minuscule kickback to us(the People of the United States and a few illegals to boot) so that we can be happy and content. The key word here is "STIMULUS". So as you read ahead don’t be shocked or offended by the truth of the reality.

This money that is proposed to be kicked back to you is not for savings, is not to put food on the table for your family, it is not to pay off or reduce your consumer debt. The STIMULUS package is for you to stimulate the economy back from recession. Your purpose is to consume,consume and consume a little more.

Wall Street is already a buzz hoping that the package is bigger than $800 dollars per person. Estimates have pointed to an overall $1.5 billion dollars to be seeded into America to help stores like Walmart and The "GAP" and Chevrolet post better earnings. As I heard one analyst say yesterday, "The one thing that could destroy the proper effects of this package is if Americans decide not to spend the money, but save it. The results could take us deeper into the recession."

WOW, that is all I can say. This is what America stands for! Consumerism. I have denied this for many years, sticking up for a country that has upheld democracy longer than any other civilization. There are people in the government who have busted their asses trying to ensure the common American can understand personal finances but feel their words and deeds have fallen on deaf ears. Isn’t it sad?

But, the truth of the matter is that it is not the government’s fault. It is America’s (we the people) fault. We are the ones who are not listening. We are the ones who have to have the newest car or HD plasma television. We don’t care enough about our own lives. As President Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

The United States produces 7 percent of the world’s copper but we consume 14 percent. Can you say Gluttony? If the US government were to start issuing War Bonds en masse again, how many of you would scoff at the idea. How many Americans would actually ration commodities like gasoline to ensure our country could win our conflicts and actually come out of it with a surplus in the economy?

We are bringing about our own destruction here in America. People who want to make a difference are too scared to stand alone and preach the word of good economics to bring our country back to its full glory. I may be ranting and my words may fall on deaf ears, but if one person reads this and decides to make a difference in their own lives then you have the ability to help another family change theirs and so goes on the cycle. America, how will you fix this?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Jason Smith is a Finanancial Planner and a U.S. Veteran.  This article was first posted on his BLOG www.lessonsandrewards.blogspot.com back in January 2008. It’s been re-posted here so we can see that this opinion has become reality!