DeeEl's Mo Chroí Scríofa

Debt

There are more ads on television today then I care to even count.  Advertisements promising to help lower or even eliminate your tax debt to the IRS.  Others help you eliminate your credit card debt, which, according to them, may not even be your fault.  Where should the blame be placed for the indebtedness of this country?

If the debt Americans have accrued with credit cards and other forms of credit was combined, I do believe it would resemble the National debt.  Everyday people make decisions and sign for yet another credit card or sign a piece of paper to buy on credit.  It is, after all, the American way.

I pay my taxes, local and federal.  I have my tax returns prepared and submitted by April 15 every year.  this is NOT a new thing in the United States, paying taxes.  So why is it so difficult for people to plan and prepare to make sure and make sure everything is in order by April 15?  Are they waiting and hoping that the government will change its mind about paying taxes or perhaps make special allowances just for them?  If every person in the United States who lives and works here (including those here illegally or on visa) would pay the proper taxes we could greatly diminish the national debt.

Credit!  The other part of the United States financial problems.  However, I am not talking about the United States national debt here.  That is a whole different ballgame I may address at a later time.  it makes me angry every time I see those ads telling people that their credit card debt may not be their fault.  Well, just whose fault is it?  You signed the papers accepting responsibility for any debt you incur using the card.  Yes, there are fees that go along with this.  You know that as it is in the fine print you were supposed to read before signing.  You then sign to purchase what you want on credit.  So, why is this debt NOT your fault?

There once was a time that folks believed in only purchasing things they could afford.  Now the norm is to rack up as much credit debt as possible and then go to an organization to have them make it go away or simply file for bankruptcy.  I say, “WAKE UP YOU IDIOTS!!!”  It is possible to live without amassing deep debt.

When I opened my bank accounts I was very adamant that I did not want any kind of a bank card.  They kept trying to sell me on the credit card or an ATM card.  I continued to decline.  I had no desire to be tempted with what could get me into trouble. It may be less convenient for me to go to the bank during banking hours to make a withdrawal, but I don’t have ATM fees to pay.

Yes, I have one credit card.  It is actually a pre-paid credit card.  I recently took a four day trip to New York City.  I paid for as much as possible before the trip.  then I applied money to my credit card and took very little cash.  What I got from this was a trip that forced me to live within my means and not accrue any added debt.

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!  If you don’t, what will be your legacy to your children?  DEBT!!

Ratings Push Or Slap In the Face

Upon rising in the mornings I generally turn no the news (CBS), turn on my computer and then fetch the newspaper from the front deck.  After getting dressed and finding breakfast I retire to the couch to read the paper, watch the news and eat breakfast before I begin writing for the morning.  Yes, I am creature of habit, but then again, so are most people.  Last Friday, CBS Morning Show started a series called Dave Price, No Way Home.  I thought this would be in interesting stunt to boost ratings and could quite possibly produce some humor for me to begin my day with.

Apparently they were dropping Mr. Price off on the west coast and he was to make his way east and return home in a week.  He was only to have $50 and could not use any credit cards nor accept large gifts such as airline tickets home or hotel accommodations.  He was to “work” his way home.  When this began I thought it would be intriguing to see what kinds of odd jobs he would do to earn some cash and help him get back to NYC.  As of Tuesday morning all was going well and seemed to be educational as well.

This morning I turned the news on and as I ate breakfast I watched the next chapter in Mr. Price’s trek home.  However, the more the segments ran, the angrier I found myself.  Yes, it was fascinating that he spent the night in a frat house and earned $20 for cleaning the bathroom.  However, the job he is doing right now making $12 an hour made me sick.  I am one of thousands who lost my regular $10 an hour job when the recession was hitting a year ago.  I am still out of work and opting instead to be a freelance writer.  There are so many people who would have gone to companies such as Omaha Steaks (where Mr. Price is working this morning) and applied for jobs.   These people are turned down because of the lack of funding to be able to pay them.  In fact, many of them would probably be willing to work for minimum wage just to be able to have some kind of an income.

In an economic recession, I find it a slap in the face to the many unemployed folks like myself that CBS would televise how easy it is for one of their employees who already has a well paying job to be able to walk in and get a job in a company making an hourly wage that makes me and others like me drool with desire and longing to have any kind of a job.  What qualifies Mr. Price to work in a company such as Omaha Steaks besides his celebrity status and wanting to boost his networks ratings irregardless of what it might do to the mindset of those who would watch and thereby boost those ratings?

Irresponsibility in boosting ratings.  It is possible to help those who are unemployed due to the recession while boosting ratings and in fact, may boost those network ratings even more.  If Mr. Price must obtain jobs in nationally know companies or major organizations or any kind, then use it to benefit those who could use the boost to their economy.  If these places are willing to hire a man who has no qualifications, besides celebrity, for a few hours to get national recognition for their company, let them go a step further and use it to find qualified workers to hire on a permanent basis to further ensure the longevity of the company.

Take odd jobs if you will, like cleaning bathrooms in a frat house, but if you choose to work in a major company, help fill that kind of a job with someone who truly needs and deserves it.  As for Omaha Steaks, I have ordered from them in the past.  However, I am very reluctant to order from them unless they use this opportunity to help those who want and need jobs to obtain jobs in their company.  Being a celebrity making a great salary and then throwing it in the faces of those who helped make you a celebrity by frivolously getting jobs they would love to have just to work for an hour or two is, in my opinion, just plain wrong.