Its time to "pay the fiddler"

Some of us have already filed in and out of this little "buffet" of life. Some of us are still seated at the table, staring at the check in disbelief. But the preponderance of evidence seems to point out that in nearly every financial system- from our homes, towns, schools, cities, states, country and even world, that we've all indulged a bit too much, and now we might be doing dishes to pay for the meal.
How else can we ethically leave the establishment than to find some way, no matter how unpleasant, to pay the check?

Okay, enough with the metaphoric description. But the point is the same. We've gotten used to "convenience" and been lulled into believing we are "deserving" of a better life; "entitled" to it, even.

And I've got more bad news. We're all guilty. The (insert entity here) could not have gotten this way without some individuals wanting more than they could afford, and the rest of us either going along with it or being too apathetic to stand up and point out that we might not be able to afford it.

I know. I know. Its not the "politically correct" thing to do to turn down requests for social programs, or tax breaks, or community centers, or skate parks, or splash pads or medical assistance, or (insert any other program name here). If we question those things, we're considered unkind, uncaring, naysayers who are standing in the way of progress.

But look where not asking the hard questions has gotten us.

Now there's no choice but to tackle the questions of what we can do without, and what we can cut out entirely. Not just that one special program ... but some that are really going to hurt. They're going to hurt our parents, and our children, and us as well, because no one likes having something they take for granted to be eliminated, or at the least, charged for. Its the cumulative brain-numbing effect of overspending without consequence, and it can't be solved by simply "not leaving the tip".

Some of us have already paid our bill - or at least a portion of it - through layoffs, furloughs, pay cuts or freezes, benefit cuts, increasing insurance premiums and freezes.
Some folks, however, are still in the buffet line, and seem to be expecting those who have already paid their own checks, to pay their bill as well.

In my opinion, this is the mindset that has to change to get us moving out of this financial crisis. What do you think? Join me for the discussion, weekdays at 9:15 on Your Talk Show on WCLO.