Roof on Fire

How many times can one read or hear "debt ceiling" in one day? For the past couple of months or so, it seems like a little over 14 trillion times. OK, that number may seem exaggerated, however its meaning is not. As of May 16, that is how much our government has been borrowing. It's the amount owed to those of us or they who have purchased US Treasury bonds in addition to funds meant for Social Security and Medicare. Therefore, if our government continues to borrow past its "ceiling" reportedly, our country will be in default and our credit rating will drop a floor. I guess that's what an empire looks like these days.

It's rather similar to if I were to buy a brownstone from basement to rooftop that I would not be able to afford without taking some form of loan while taking to that home a most entertainingly expensive car, again, via a loan, and then attend truly elaborate, ridiculously priced dinners courtesy my credit card. Oh, and may as well travel the country by taking out some 401K. That is, the analogy I am very comfortable with making. After all, amidst the salaries and perks of our senators, they are able to draw money on earmarks (1.92 M for U.S. Territories Rum industries - I doubt this country needs help in the drinking department), expense pricey meals (for sake of visitors and business, of course, what I meant I would do), go to other countries to bully and/or exploit them (that's another article in itself), and enjoying private jets to places (ehem, Mr. Christie!!!)

I have questioned this once and now again, how do the people on Capitol Hill expect us to forgive banks of allowing us to grab loans and win approval from credit cards just to notify us that it's our fault we live beyond our means? We are punished every day at almost ten percent unemployment. I am blessed with a job which puts me in a position to stimulate the economy and I do, however somewhere between buying a tennis ball-sized peach for $1.50 and absorbing the 3% increase in rent, I have to draw the line. Businesses too big or too small to fail have shut their doors, or at the very least scaled back a considerable amount of employees. Making mortgages and buying homes is still a thing of the tangible past and elusive future. If we have to make sacrifices that work best for the whole family, it would be nice to have a role model at the top.

Just like the rest of the nation on a personal level, something has got to give. Raising the debt ceiling will only present another opportunity for mal-budgeting and the need to up it again in a few years. Taking away from Medicare, Social Security, or any other entitlement programs is a sheer desperate measure that would only make sense if such were not running efficiently.

Perhaps it would be most effective if large corporations were taxed like they ought to be - close the loopholes. Now here's an original idea, tax the wealthy at a higher rate since they write off bonds, dividends, and earnings which eases the burden on income. The United States is suppose to be an empire defined by big money. Our foreign peers do not have the sneaky tax escapes that we do. Tax the rich, get rid of earmarks, do not start programs that are not implementable.

As usual, the Republicans and Democrats are playing a game to see who will budge at the expense of our country as a whole. The root of our problems is political gain. Dear Gov't, we know you want to watch out for your friends, but what about the rest of us who can barely afford to buy lunch (25% increase at my local deli buffet!)?

My eyes and ears quickly became tired of "debt ceiling" as the hot word of the summer, so I chose "roof on fire" just because the borrowing limit is such a hot topic that if a bargain hasn't been met by Aug. 2nd., the roof will be burnt to a crisp and there will be no option but to live beyond our trillions. On the other hand, if our government can figure out a way to budget in a responsible manner like they expect the rest of us to do, we can still save the roof over our heads that we have left. Though, it was been burning for a while now.