Ask Not what Your Country Can Do For You...

"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own." - John F. Kennedy

Where has this country gone wrong? John F. Kennedy had the right idea 47 years ago. It isn't what this country can do for us. Should we expect the government to fix our problems. Should they fix the credit crisis, should they suspend the gas tax, or should they increase social programs? The answer is maybe. It is hard to say "Yes" or "No" to questions like that, but we should be asking, what can I do to prevent these problems from affecting me.

The credit crisis came along because of greed. Greed from the financial institutions who were making money from sub prime mortgages. It was the greed of the consumer for stretching beyond their means to buy homes they couldn't afford. To truly protect ourselves from such swings in the economy is to live within our means. Just because I can buy something, doesn't mean I should. As someone with a credit score getting close to 800 I can buy pretty much anything I want. The point is I haven't and that is why my credit score is close to 800. Personal finance needs to taught in our high schools and by parents. It is skill that needs to be developed.

Suspending the gas tax is not the solution. I could agree with a tax holiday on diesel, but for all types of gasoline? I suggest diesel because 90% of our goods are transported by diesel-powered trucks. By reducing their costs to transport these goods those savings can and should be passed along. By lowering the cost of food it helps everyone.

Another solution is to reduce the amount that we drive. I continue to get emails that say we should not buy gas on Wednesday. If I don't buy it on Wednesday, I'm going to buy it on Thursday. Does that really help? They also say I buy gas only from those gas companies who sell "American Oil". If everyone does that, they'll run out of gas and be forced to buy it from other gas companies. Even if I don't buy gas at Exxon, they are going to supply those who are. What we need to do is reduce how much we drive. I mentioned in a earlier post I think the government should encourage working from home one day a week by removed communication taxes on high speed internet. Another idea is to deliver mail only five days a week. Who wants to worry about bills on the weekend? By doing this, it reduces the demand on oil. By reducing the demand, it increases the supply, and prices go down. Reducing demand is one way to reduce the price.

Should social programs be increased or decreased? That is a dangerous question. I think some should be decreased, and some should be increased. The welfare program shouldn't be a free ride. It should be a re-training program. There should be some volunteer requirement to sustain benefits similar to the Habitat for Humanity requirement. I will admit that there are those that really need the program because of disability or age. And that is who the program is really designed for. People who are able to work should work. By providing a training program we give them a chance to learn a new skill and to gain confidence in their own abilities. That would truly benefit America.

So I say again, what can we do for our country. By living in our means, by doing our part to when times are tough, and by not relying on the government to fix our problems, we can truly make this country great and be about God's work by helping others.