Spring Break
Column: Put down your shovel
Michelle Murphy / Columnist
Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: Opinions
Thomas Jefferson said, "When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."
Unfortunately, it's the American public looking to hang on.
Although the new $787 billion stimulus package is laced with sweet irony, being authored by a man who claimed that we need to stop wasteful government spending, it had versions passed in the House and Senate.
The truth of the matter is we are in a big hole, and the even deeper truth is that we are the ones who dug it.
For every private loan that banks have given out to people who they were less than certain could make the payment back, put down your shovel.
To each family who bought a home they couldn't afford and knew that their mortgage payments would outweigh their incomes, put down your shovel.
To every person who is living in our country illegally and not paying taxes, put down your shovel.
To every person who made unnecessary purchases on a credit card knowing that they couldn't make the payments, put down your shovel.
We are the ones with the shovels in hand and it's time that we put them down.
There are some people who are in the hole so deep, that they're dying for a way out.
There are some people who will never see the hole. But the majority of people are just inside it.
Only in America will the government completely change its face to help out the struggling, but what if the struggling said, "No"?
Don't live beyond your means.
It's not uncommon in a recession to do just enough to get by. Downsize.
If you're in a home, driving a car or living a life that you can't afford, downsize.
The U.S. government is setting a dangerous precedent.
They're telling you not to spend wastefully, but they continue to do so.
Now, when the American people have dug themselves in a hole, they're going to wastefully spend $787 billion to try to get us out.
Times are tough, there's no doubt about that, but are we so delicate that we really can't find a way out on our own?
From now on, do yourself a favor and live more modestly.
Plan a bit further ahead.
Give yourself some more cushion.
Don't expect a handout, and if you don't need a handout, don't take it.
Michelle Murphy is a sophomore communication major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
Unfortunately, it's the American public looking to hang on.
Although the new $787 billion stimulus package is laced with sweet irony, being authored by a man who claimed that we need to stop wasteful government spending, it had versions passed in the House and Senate.
The truth of the matter is we are in a big hole, and the even deeper truth is that we are the ones who dug it.
For every private loan that banks have given out to people who they were less than certain could make the payment back, put down your shovel.
To each family who bought a home they couldn't afford and knew that their mortgage payments would outweigh their incomes, put down your shovel.
To every person who is living in our country illegally and not paying taxes, put down your shovel.
To every person who made unnecessary purchases on a credit card knowing that they couldn't make the payments, put down your shovel.
We are the ones with the shovels in hand and it's time that we put them down.
There are some people who are in the hole so deep, that they're dying for a way out.
There are some people who will never see the hole. But the majority of people are just inside it.
Only in America will the government completely change its face to help out the struggling, but what if the struggling said, "No"?
Don't live beyond your means.
It's not uncommon in a recession to do just enough to get by. Downsize.
If you're in a home, driving a car or living a life that you can't afford, downsize.
The U.S. government is setting a dangerous precedent.
They're telling you not to spend wastefully, but they continue to do so.
Now, when the American people have dug themselves in a hole, they're going to wastefully spend $787 billion to try to get us out.
Times are tough, there's no doubt about that, but are we so delicate that we really can't find a way out on our own?
From now on, do yourself a favor and live more modestly.
Plan a bit further ahead.
Give yourself some more cushion.
Don't expect a handout, and if you don't need a handout, don't take it.
Michelle Murphy is a sophomore communication major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
John Poshepny
posted 2/26/09 @ 11:00 PM CST
Great Post Michelle!!! You hit the nail on the head, now the liberals need to wake up and see that were right.
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