Lead With Responsibility

Recently, I read an article about members of Congress feeling that they don't receive enough pay.

Before I share my opinion on the matter, let's take a moment to remember that the members of Congress enjoy "$174,000 annual salary, generous health care and pensions, and perks for things like travel and mail."

I'm sorry, how many people enjoy those perks and benefits? Not many.

Let's talk about how many people live under the poverty line. According to the University of Michigan, that number was 14.3% of US citizens in 2009. Do the math. That's about 43 million in poverty. That doesn't include the number of people struggling to get by who live just above the poverty line. In 2010, 52 million people were without insurance.

Ok. Now tell me your insurance, pensions, and pay aren't quite enough.

It's called financial responsibility. If these Congressmen (and women) are living paycheck to paycheck as some claim to be, perhaps it's time to look at the mortgages, car payments, and credit card bills. Downsize, people. Heaven knows millions of Americans have had to do that in the last few years, especially.

For some, becoming a member of Congress meant a pay raise. What gives? How were you living before? Looks like it's time to go back to that lifestyle if you want to save up more money.

They have kids to put through college? So did my parents. I guarantee you they did not make that much money.  It's called student loans. I've got 'em, and so do millions of other twenty-somethings.

I'll admit I don't know their full stories, but honestly, I don't think this is the time for them to be asking for a pay raise. Remember that little thing called a default? That almost happened. Too soon, folks, too soon. Remember all those people who are unemployed? What about the people without power or homes because of hurricane Irene? Maybe it's the time to work on those issues.

After all, that's why they were elected, right? Too look out for our best interests? Hmmm...

Call me a cynic, but I'm a little annoyed at the irresponsibility of the government, and I suppose I don't have a lot of pity for them right now.


To read the original article click here.

What are your thoughts on the matter??

Not a Fan

Here's the thing. I hate roller-coasters. I really, really don't like them. I struggle with the smallest ride in Cedar Point (not that I've gone in at least 5 years), to the point that it's a huge accomplishment if I even get on the ride. Maybe it's a little bit of a control freak in me, because I'm starting to realize more and more that I get generally uncomfortable if I'm not in control of a moving vehicle. Of course, a vehicle that is moving fast and at extreme angles, and possibly upside down, has "bad day" written all over it for me.

As if those weren't bad enough, there is a whole new roller-coaster lately that has me on pins and needles. Let's talk about how much I want to avoid looking at the stock market at all costs these days. Now that's terrifying. You know those dragon boat rides that swing way, way up and then backward, and fast? That's what I think of when I think "stock market" right now. That's not a good thought at all.

As stated in Yahoo! Finance this morning, "the Dow Jones industrial average soared 423 points on Thursday. It had already fallen 634 points Monday, risen 429 Tuesday and fallen 519 Wednesday. Never before has the Dow had four 400-point swings in a row." Oh come on, already! I'm not saying I have a great solution, and I'm no professional in terms of the market, but I can tell you something had better happen, and fast.

Needless to say, I'm glad I graduated already because my tuition payments came from investments my parents made years ago in that market (of course, that was paired with several loans in my name as well). Had I not gotten out of school when I did, who knows how I would have pulled off paying for school.

So, maybe I can't offer finance advice, but as with anything in life, this is going to require compromise from everyone. It's a skill that most children learn in preschool. Johnny got the last cupcake? Well, how about we split it and both Johnny and Suzie get to enjoy the sweet treat? Why is that skill eluding middle aged men and women? Now there's a mystery. In my opinion, a lot of complex problems can have simple solutions. Making things more complicated isn't going to help.