A Mom's Thought on the Bailout

I've never been a very political person. I vote in the major elections and sometimes like a good social debate with a friend. That's about it. I have opinions on issues now and again, but nothing has gotten me as engaged as the current financial problems in our country. Call me simple, but I just can't comprehend that kind of money and the logic behind bailing out these companies. I understand that our country's economics revolve around Wall Street, and that the mortgage lenders and banks going under have a direct link to our abilities to access credit in the future.I realize the importance of being able to access credit . The ability to borrow money allows for business growth, it helps our farmers be able to thrive and can put a kid through school who might otherwise not have the chance. Credit can be good. What I don't understand is why these people have been allowed to pull the financial puppet strings, of almost every American, with seemingly no limitations. Credit doesn't help most of us anymore. By burying ourselves so far into debt, we have actually taken away our freedoms and the lenders have been laughing all the way to the bank. Until now.

The financial crisis is not new to our family. We've noticed it for years. Prices rising in the housing, automobile, and fuel markets. But it was all o.k. because as the prices increased so did the ability to get affordable financing. Funny coincidence isn't it? Take buying a car for example. We're inundated with commercials and news stories showing the importance of having a safe car. You do your research. You read the articles, surf the net and go to the dealership to find the safest car to fit your needs. You walk out of that dealership with a seven seat, gas guzzler with 6 airbags for somewhere in the $28,000 price range. You can't really afford it, but it's all good because you have financing. The banks make sure that you feel comfortable buying that car. The dealership makes money, the bank makes money and your in debt. Two years later the car isn't worth anything, your house isn't worth anything and it's getting harder to meet the bills. To make matters worse you have Suze Orman on the Today show telling you to stop buying your cup of coffee every morning because your in debt. As if we now deserve a punishment for buying into the American dream.

What angers me is that the banks, Wall Street and politicians have been feeding us this bait for their own financial gain. They wanted us to borrow money. That's what keeps them rich. Don't get me wrong, we're at fault as well. We were greedy too. But if I'm not getting a bailout why should they? If I'm going to have to give up my Starbucks as penance for my financial sins, why should I have to keep the people who got me into this mess free from consequence? The politicians are acting as if we should be the "better people" and "take one for the team". I don't think so . If I have to take responsibility for my own finances so should the big companies. I'm not getting a bailout and neither should they.