Three True Stories - Thoughts And Attitudes About The Economy

Three True Stories - Thoughts And Attitudes About The Economy

by Marilyn Mackenzie

1)

"Waaaa, waaa, waaa." She complained constantly about not having any money. And about having no health insurance coverage.

"Really?" I asked. "You have no money, and yet you just purchased a new Wii, about a dozen new toys for your kids, two new winter jackets for your kids (when they each already have three), a new bike for one child (even though he got a new bike last year...and it's winter and he can't even ride it right now), and who knows what else you haven't mentioned or shown me."

"Hey, I got a discount on the Wii since I bought it at work."

"Right. You got 10% off. I'm guessing that what you paid for the Wii would have more than covered your health insurance premium for one month, probably almost two."

"Okay, fine. The kids get their healthcare from the government. And, yes, that Wii cost could have paid for about two months of health insurance for me. But I want universal healthcare that I don't have to pay for. I mean, what would I do for the next month?"

"Well, let's see. If you got a cheap coffee maker and quit driving to the corner store every day - two and three times per day - to get hot, fresh coffee from them, between the gas and coffee money saved, you might be able to afford healthcare every month. And if you stopped buying every toy that comes out and didn't think your kids needed four winter coats and a different outfit for every day of the month, you'd probably always have the money to pay for your healthcare costs."

She quickly changed the subject, knowing that I was right.

"I wish we could move into our own house. But when I checked, with our income we can only afford about a $500 payment. What kind of crappy house could we get with that payment?"

"You've been living with family now for seven years. Surely you have saved a sizeable down payment by not having to pay for rent and utilities for seven years. You are both working full time, after all. And with that sizeable down payment, you should be able to get a decent house."

"No, we haven't saved any money! Do you know how much it costs to raise kids? I sure hope Obama will help us get into a house. I hate living in someone else's house."

2)

She was not a conservative, nor a Republican. But she couldn't bring herself to vote for Obama. Why? Because of his race. She was definitely a racist. But now that he was in the White House, she expected to get everything coming to her. She watched carefully every time he was on talking about what he planned for the U.S. She cheered when she knew there was another program for which she might qualify.

When I asked her if she was at all concerned about the amount of debt we were leaving to our kids and grandkids, she just looked confused.

"I don't understand any of that financial stuff. I'm sure the President knows what he's doing."

"But you didn't want him as President. You didn't vote for him."

"No, but now that he's there, I want my share of everything. I'm glad he's going after big business. I hate big business. And no one deserves to make more money than the president. If they do, I hope he taxes them big time."

"Aren't you employed by a big business?"

"Yes, and I hate them. I hope he taxes them twice as much as they are now."

"But couldn't that mean no raises for you? Or even being laid off?"

"Oh, I hope they lay me off. I could use some time off. I'd love to be on unemployment."

"Speaking of that, has your husband found work yet?"

"No, he's not looking. He's enjoying the unemployment. Of course, we can't buy as much with his reduced pay. We were late on the rent last month, and I told the landlord, 'I dare you to try to evict us. We have kids and it's winter!' He let us pay late, but he charged us $40 for late payment. I need to talk to someone to see if that's legal. We're hoping his unemployment will be extended again."

3)

She smiled as she motioned women into her home for Bible study. "I'm sorry the living room isn't bigger. It will make it cozy for us. We've been living in our starter home since the beginning, and now that the kids are almost grown, I guess it will be our retirement home too. It's almost paid for."

"I could have had a child her age", I thought. My childhood sweetheart and I were married in 1973, so I could certainly have a child 35 years old. Most people her age and younger (the ones I know, anyway) don't think about finances like this couple. It's too bad that they don't.

This couple met in college. They were like many at the time. They either had to have scholarships or loans or work. They had a combination of all three, but, thankfully not much in the way of loans. They did work hard, though. No partying for this couple. They each tried to earn enough income to at least pay for books and half of tuition each semester. They had small scholarships to help. And in the last year, they both had to take out loans for half of their tuition, in order to really focus on graduating.

Once they were graduated, they had a modest wedding - one that her family could afford with the money they had set aside for their only daughter's wedding. She would not have dreamed of asking her father to go into debt for a wedding. The budget was whatever they had, nothing more, unless she and her beau wanted to contribute.

They rented a tiny studio at first and got their furnishings at thrift stores. They both worked at decent jobs with good benefits. And they saved, usually most of her salary.

After they had $10,000 saved, they rejoiced when a realtor friend found a home that needed some TLC. Since they were used to small living quarters already, they fixed up one room, and freshened the kitchen and bathroom with some paint, and lived in that small space while they worked on fixing up the rest of the house. They refused to go into any more debt than the mortgage, so sometimes they had to wait while they saved for the next project. But they didn't mind. One day their starter home would be their dream home; they would make sure of that!

They also continued to save, although not all of her salary, not with the expense of having their own home. But they did save. And once they had accumulated another $10,000 and had finished fixing up their own bedroom and one other bedroom, they decided it was time to think about starting a family. They decided that if they did have a child (or children) that she would stay home until he/she/they were in school, and they wanted to be ready for that.

They were blessed with three girls, spaced two years apart. They passed on clothes and the crib and other baby necessities when they could. They passed on clothes too where they could.  And toys.

She stayed home and was faithful to Biblical teachings about child rearing.

Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it - was important to them. So was Proverbs 13:24 - He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. They knew that God had given them three wonderful gifts, and they were determined to show God that they were worthy parents.

Even though they had only his salary, and even though they eventually had three children, they continued to save.

Each pay day, they gave God the first fruits, then put aside 10% for their own savings. They lived on the remaining 80% of his salary, which increased nicely through the years. He was a good employee, and took the Biblical view of work to heart. Colossians 3:23-24 - And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

When their last child entered school, she went back to work, but not in the work she had done as a newlywed. She took a menial job, one that many consider to be only for those who have no higher education. But by being a school cafeteria cashier, she was able to be home when her kids left for school and came home at the same time they did in the afternoon. And she had summers off to enjoy with her kids. The pay wasn't much, but they used it for the "extras" in life, knowing that his salary would always provide the necessities.

Sometimes they considered moving into a larger house in a "better" neighborhood. But they knew that in doing so, they would have to sacrifice in ways they were not comfortable doing. She would have to get a full time job in her former career area, and her kids would no longer be able to count on her like they could with her working only part time at the school.

Their children didn't suffer by not having a TV in their bedrooms or computers for each of them. They did not suffer when they didn't get the latest and best game consoles. In fact, the kids pitied their friends who had those because what their didn't have were parents who spent time with them.

These children learned to care more about whether their clothes were clean and fresh, than if they had designer labels. They learned that it was fun to watch TV shows with their parents. They learned that their parents would be nearby every time they logged onto the computer - in the kitchen - and that they would be kept safe from harm (since they installed one of the first software programs available for parents to monitor the use of the computer).

These children were not given new or even used cars when they turned 16. If they wanted cars of their own, they knew that they had to work for the money for both the car and the insurance. And they knew that if they did work, they had to keep their grades up as well. They learned that it didn't matter to them that their parents had to cart them around to sports or dance practices. They also learned the importance of family time, of good nutrition, and of tithing and saving. They were never overweight, since they rarely ate out and never at fast food joints.  (Since Mom worked at the school cafeteria, she knew how unhealthy those fast food places were!)

These kids have been on some great road trips, visiting many of the places others dream of visiting in the US, but never have the funds to do so. They visited museums together, and libraries. They attended church together and helped when their mother volunteered all of them to help feed the homeless.

They never had a mountain of gifts to open on birthdays or at Christmas. But they had a mountain of love available any time they wanted to tap into it. And they knew that was much more important than any "things" that money can buy.

So the couple is still in their starter home. But that home became their family home. And it will be their retirement home.

Perhaps she will work full time again once the kids are all away from home. But perhaps not. Since they have learned to survive with one salary all these years, she just might find herself some more volunteer activities to do to fill her time when they're gone. Or she might decide to keep that part time job at the school cafeteria, where to some kids she's like a second mom, since they see her each and every school day. Or perhaps she'll find a way to do both.

This couple also did not vote for Obama. Of course they didn't. They think that every person should take responsibility for him/herself. They believe that every individual has the same opportunities and must learn to survive and achieve with little government intervention. They loathe the idea of big government. They don't mind government programs for people who are truly in need, but do not want to fund programs for lazy people.

*****************

Three true stories. The stories of three local women. The stories of how people look at life (and the government) differently.

A government leader who tells people that there is no hope unless he and the government provide programs and policies for them will end up with more of the first two people. Many more.

A government that acknowledges that there will always be ups and downs in the economy and teaches proper coping mechanisms, that provides opportunities for each one to discover his/her own potential, will end up with more people like the last couple.

Which ones of these would you want as your neighbors?

Which leadership would you prefer? Which government?

Me? I liked what Rush Limbaugh had to say about this the other day. "We want the country to succeed. And for that to happen, every person needs to be pursuing success."

I also agree with this statement made by Limbaugh, "President Obama is one of the most gifted men that I have witnessed. He has communication skills that hardly anyone can surpass. It just breaks my heart that he does not use his extraordinary talents and skills to motivate and inspire the American people to be the best they can be. He's doing just the opposite, and it's such a shame."