The Big Bail Out

Our nation is facing a financial crisis that has been years in the making, I recall a song by Gill Scott-heron which said that we that is, America is no longer a producer but we have become a consumer and when the producer changes the game the consumers must dance the dance.

We have allowed our leaders to convince us that as John McCain stated the fundamentals of our economy are sound. Even president Bush for the majority of this year has said that our economy is strong. So now we find the ultimate in flip-flopping and this whole issue has become front and center in the political arena. We are looking at the possibility of the tax payers once again bailing out the greedy institutions of Wall Street. Those who have created this mess are now going to be the recipients of what can be called corporate welfare.

But the irony is that the average American will not truly have a voice in this decision. Those who have been living their live and doing what they are required to do are now facing the real possibility of bearing a burden of $2300.00 per person. What will we, that is you and I really benefit from these actions.

Yes there are problems in the credit markets and business will suffer. But what does this really mean to the average Joe. Deregulation of the financial sector has led to some unscrupulous tactics that have lined the pockets of a few and put the masses in financial peril but our leaders solution is to bail them out and allow the golden parachutes to deploy.

While the average tax payer takes on even more debit that we had no input in creating. There is in my opinion something unamerican about this entire ordeal. Where is the assistance for those home owners who where lied to and put into untenable adjustable loans, where is the bail out for them?

Why are we still spending billions each month in a war when Iraq while is sitting on an oil surplus? Yes, I do agree in principal that we need to stabilize the financial markets. But we also need to look long term at solutions that will preclude a return of these same circumstances in the future.

The microwave mentality of fast and quick must be replaced by more reasonable long term strategies. This will require leadership willing to tell the truth and sacrifice on the part of the American people. There was a time when people really wanted the best for their children. When we looked to the future and weren’t so self absorbed.

The big bail out should become the big wake up call, and we need to let our leaders know no more quick fix. Tell us the truth and let’s deal with it and find some real solutions to the real problems. I once took a Christian leadership class and the instructor began the class with this simple yet profound statement “leader’s lead”. It is time for ours to do just that stop placating and lead.