Grown up

Do you ever have those days when you just want to run away from being a "grown up".  I've had more than my share lately.  Between making decisions and keep up with schedules and planning life... it can be exhausting.  A day to be free and a kid again would be so welcome. 

I am really trying to be a good person.  I am struggling with certain people in my life who just keep making bad choices and yet they seem to be completely oblivious to these choices.  I get so frustrated and even at times angry when I see other people getting hurt because of one of these poor choices.  The hardest part for me is that the people making these choices know better, they just do.  I am so saddened by how much the world has slowly crept into our lives so much so that we can make choices and decisions that are very clearly wrong and against what we believe in our Faith, and yet somehow it can be justified and chalked up to another one of those "life lesson's" and repeated time and time again.

My biggest anger for today is Bankruptcy.  I am not a finance wiz or anything... but honestly, our economy is suffering because so many greedy Americana's have filed for bankruptcy.   Now I am not on the banks side, they have done plenty of shady things, but you and I both know that we live in a self serving, I want it now type of world, the banks can not be blamed solely for our wants and desires, they just helped to facilitate them, the people are truly the ones who need to take a step back, look in the mirror and realize... I JUST DON'T have the money for this home, car, vacation, etc.

The thing that KILLS me is that people have become so good at still getting what they want without paying for it, that now our Nation is paying for it.  Do these people, my fellow Americans, my friends, my family... do they understand this?

I would just like to ask, why is it that some people feel that they should get everything they want and desire and then just not pay for it, hide it from the bank so it can't be repossessed and still have these "things" that they certainly haven't paid for and most certainly don't deserve?  Or better yet, put it in someone elses name so you don't have to have it counted or taken into consideration for your bankruptcy.  This to me is beyond "shady", it's deceptive, it's wrong and it's dishonest.  What kind of a people have we become?  I can see a tiny glimpse of how other nations look upon us, our greed, our disposable life style, our self-centered and selfish lifestyles, the overwhelming feeling of "entitlement" that is so prevalent in our nation.  It actually sickens me to think of it.  It sickens me to know people who live this way, who betray their fellow Americans because come on people SOMEBODY is going to end up paying for what you kept without paying for.  Our fees go up at our banks, the prices go up in stores, we can't get loans when we really need them because the banks will just stop lending. 

It makes me so angry, in my own life there have been times when I was ready to just throw up my arms, yell mercy and just file bankruptcy, we started our marriage with medical bills and debt and student loans and at times it feels overwhelming but NEVER would we turn our backs on our debts.  Who are we if we aren't a people of integrity?  We work really hard for what we have and we go without a lot of those "wants" around here because it's not worth being dishonest to have a vacation or a new home or a new car.

I do have to say there is one exception, that being if you've had medical bills that paralyze you to the point of not being able to pay them.  I believe this to be the only just reason to file for bankruptcy help.   But honestly with everyone I know that has filed for it.  This is the exception and not the "norm" for filing.  I see that these families have Large homes, homes that to look at that make me feel sad, sad because when I see huge homes full of all of the world things you can acquire it just makes me sad that they have the need to do this, on the other hand it also makes me mad, mad because they can't and don't have the money to maintain this lifestyle.  WHEN will we learn our lesson?  When will we stop trying to "keep up with the Jones"?  When will we have acquired enough "stuff"? 

I am so confused, when did having a modest home, a modest car, a modest lifestyle become a bad thing?  What about the Christian faith, is it not our life mission to help and sustain God's kingdom on earth?  When will we find the time to do it... hum, let's just ponder this... Let's just say my mortgage payment is $2,500 a month and my car payment is $500 a month and my other debts for my 4 wheelers, trampoline, air hockey table, trailers, RV's, boats, Large TV's as big as a movie theater, all the latest electronic gadgets, vacations, etc. run me about $800-$1,000 a month in payments.... but I'm a good person because I donate $50 -$200 a month to a local charity to pay for a meal or shelter for a day or two for someone in need..

SERIOUSLY?  Maybe my eyes have been opened living where I live, maybe this is a lesson that is just for me to learn and deal with in life... but I can't believe what I hear and see in this world.   In my world, in my circle of friends and family.  

What kind of a world and economy are we leaving to our children?  Our Grand children?  Our Great Grand Children?   I am so physically sick at the thought of this.  Who or What have we become?  I see every day families who struggle just to have food on the table, who live on government help, not because they want to but because there is no other choice right now.  They are trying, desperately trying to find a way out and back to being self sufficient, all they need is a little help from you and me, all they need is a bank to help them but alas, this is not possible because the bank is not helping anyone right now.  So we can all pat ourselves on the back at a job well done for being greedy and taking more than we need or earn.  

America, what a wonderful place to have everything you want and more on someone elses' dime.  And you thought the problem was illegal immigrants taking over our country and taking our jobs... but at least they work for their money and I'd venture to say they pay back what they borrow... they most likely just save up and pay for what they need in cash..... a totally out dated and foreign concept in our country.