Saturday, October 11, 2008

This Election is About Our Nation's Survival

Are we currently in a recession or a depression? That question remains to be answered as we watch the stock market's mostly downward spiral.

Will the housing market right itself? Another question without an easy answer. For those who bought their home a decade ago and who plan to live in it for another decade, they may not see the huge financial gains made in mid-decade, but they will probably come out ahead. For those who bought in 2003-2006, their home's value may take a long time to reach the level they paid. That is a sad outcome for those who weren't paying attention to the news, but was forseeable for those who were aware of the economic climate and likely outcome.

The stock market fall and the declining housing market were both predictable, and it didn't take a financial whiz to realize it. We have been spending like there was no tomorrow. Now, we will all be paying the price because of lack of loan sources, lowering limits on existing credit cards, and an economy that will affect small businesses as well as large as they face the fact that without a source of money, they must layoff employees and some even close their doors.

The era of greed is over! The upcoming era may be about surviving through some very tough times.

This isn't written to scare you, but everyone that can, must start taking financial responsibility for their financial decisions. And I realize that there are some people who are already hurting too much to be able to help themselves. We must all become sensitive to the families and individuals who are in desperate straits and need our's and our government's help. But we also have to realize that the government, our government, is now in financial straits, and we may all need to step up to the plate and be willing to pay more in taxes. If we don't, we may find the eventual cost is too steep to ever pay. China basically owns us now. We, the greatest, most successful example of a democracy, the most powerful country in the history of the world, could soon be on our knees begging for mercy.

This election is important. The financial policies of the current administration have been disastrous for our nation, and we must NOT elect representatives and a president who will continue those same or similar policies. We need a really intelligent person to run this country, one who has chosen a running mate that offers more than cutesy, folksy or simplistic declarations. After all, that person will be only a heartbeat away from the presidency. And that's why we also need a president who has the best chance of living through his term. This is not ageism on my part. It's just plain old common sense!

While some of you may not believe that things can get worse than they are now - believe me, they can and will if a wise choice is not made in this election. This is not an election where we can afford to elect a candidate based upon emotions. This election is about our nation's very survival.