The Problem With America's Economy

This past month, a very clear and simple explanation of what is wrong with our economy, came across my desk.  I recently cancelled a credit card, and made sure an old one was still active.  Being in business, I maintain proof of my expenses by using a credit card.  At the end of the year, between Paypal, a credit card, and bank statements from my business account, I'm still able to figure my own taxes and have proof of my deductible expenses.  I know some folks don't believe we should be using the current monetary exchange, but I'm not there at this time.  I figure as long as I'm filing with the IRS and rendering unto Caesar, I'll be using fiat currency, which includes credit cards.  There is no balance carried on my card, just documented proof of expense and payment.  I say all this for no real important reason, other than to clarify, I believe it is possible to be debt free and utilize the benefits of a credit card.

The other evening, after cancelling the one card, I called my the company with my old card and the young man who answered immediately informed me what a privilege it was to be speaking with someone who had maintained an account with the company for the number of years I have.  Truth be told, I've probably had this account more years than he's been alive!  At any rate, as he looked my account over, it seems I qualified for a new and better perk.  I listened and it did sound good, so we went through the process.  I received a letter confirming all that we had discussed and explaining my new status.

In this letter was also a credit report with my FICO score.  Upon reading the information, I did a Google search as to the category of my score.  As it turns out, I have an excellent FICO rating, but it isn't perfect.  It is, however; higher than Warren Buffet's is reported to be.  And that is just the tip of the ice berg in what is wrong with America's Economy.   Since my score was not perfect, a disclosure was included to inform me of the key factors that adversely affected my "excellent but less than perfect" credit score.

1.  Lack of recent installment loan information          translation:  I'm not in debt.

2.  Too few accounts                                                   again:  I'm not in debt

3.  No recent revolving balances                                       "          "

But wait, there's more.  Based upon my recent information in the account upgrade, I now have a credit limit that is nearly twice my annual income.  Now that I've officially seen this in writing, there is no doubt the economy is not improving.   My credit line is not based upon my ability to repay what I borrow. 

In a nutshell, having no debt is the official adverse factor in my credit rating, but I now qualify for a line of credit that would enable me to spend twice as much as my annual income.  This is to further "encourage" our consumer driven economy.  A quick search of consumer driven economy reveals that our spending is actually considered a part of the gross domestic product!  This is the epitome of "digging one's way out of a hole."    

Investing

We seem to have developed a "pawn" and debt mentality about life, in general, here in the US of A.  I've been contemplating a few theories about different types of money management and mismanagement.  Of course, I prefer my own method of management and my perspective of money, but then I guess most of us do, or we'd make changes.  I've come to realize, even those who say they want help don't actually want to change their method of management, they just want an increase in funding.  Fortunately for many, our society has a great many safety nets available, but rather than use these agencies for emergencies, the supply has become a way of life . . . being subsidized is budgeted in, if you will.

As I've shared here, previously, my expenses are pretty minimal.  I receive questions about financial management almost daily.  Often those "questions" are really veiled requests for funding.  Most of the time I share information, rather than funds, but when Abba leads me to offer financial assistance I do it.  I am an enabler by nature, so I have to hear Him before I just hand out cash, because I've done that in the past, only to realize that really didn't help the individual at all.  

As I listen to various management practices, I sometimes struggle to understand the mentality.  I struggle, especially when it comes to believers and our responsibility to Abba in the way we should manage our money.  There are four kinds of people and it becomes apparent in financial matters as well.  There are three types of folks who save.  Those who designate a set amount from every paycheck, those who are always afraid they won't have enough, and those who simply don't spend as much as they earn.  Of course the fourth kind of person is a non-saver.  When it comes to professing believers, I've actually heard some of them say saving and investing is a lack of faith . . . and some of those same folks aren't afraid of hard work, while others have no shame in begging.

I know people who always take care of their bills and finances, but don't necessarily believe in savings accounts or funds.  I got out of the stock market, I think in '06, maybe '07, before the crash.  I never went back.  My only stock investment now is four-legged in the pasture, rather than paper on Wall Street.  I don't have a huge savings account, but things in this world do break and do wear out, and sometimes an opportunity is presented that I just don't want to pass up, so I like to have a little nest egg.  I want enough to buy a good milk goat or a used tire, if need be.

I've been hearing a lot lately, about selling things that I consider an investment . . . For example, many folks in my circle of influence raise various breeds of livestock.  My goats and chickens are an investment, and some years I do better than others, but the point is, I plan to own a milk goat and laying hens over the long term.  I'm not getting rich here!  I do buy and sell bucks seasonally, but rather than sell a milk goat when prices are high, I figure she'll produce so much milk and so many kids . . . Yah willing, and she's much more valuable to me in production than in a one time sale.  I have one milk goat, I paid $100.00 for, over two years ago.  I've been offered $200.00 for her, but she's worth so much more than that!  So far, she's given me four kids and milk to feed bottle calves, which means meat in the freezer.  Usually the young doelings bring about $75-$100 and the bucks at least $50.  Right there is more than the $200.00 offer.  Then there's all the milk, and we all know the price of beef.  I truly do not remember any returns or dividends from Wall Street investments that can match this in a year or two.  I know I never owned any stock that doubled in value in two years, while also paying "daily" dividends.

If America returned to an agrarian society, I know we'd be healthier, but I also believe our economy would be stronger.  Flocks and herds are a safer investment than paper . . . and caring for flocks and herds means we'd have more exercise, need far less entertainment, and have much less stress!  An agrarian society invests in life, instead of possessions. 

Earthly Economy

For those of us believing the Bible, we know the earthly economy is prophesied to ultimately exclude the remnant.  The way things are looking, we probably should be working our way out of dependency and debt as quickly as possible, now.  That's not to say our independence will happen overnight, but it won't happen at all if we don't start heading that direction.  I personally would love to have the money to get a number of people all set up and out of debt, but money really isn't the answer.  A new perspective is the foundation and the mind of Messiah is the path.  We have to unlearn the programming that debt is the path to the American dream!  It's time to wake up, smell the coffee, and look around!  The dream has turned into a nightmare.

If I had it all to do over again, I'd of course, done a great many things differently.  All glory to our Heavenly Father that He allowed me to get hold of this.  It's still possible to live within one's means and remain debt free.  I used to be real big on "homeownership," and I do own land and a home, but at this point in our existence, the only true advantage of home ownership is the rent can't go up.  However; the taxes can and city codes can create expenses and frustration!  I'm blessed to be in a very remote part of the county, and several miles from any city limits, but corporate government is gaining ground at every opportunity.

Now, as to my desire to help folks become less dependent, we have to get basic.  By now, there is enough information available, I would think most of our society would see the hazards of not preparing our own food.  In all the government paranoia and concern about invasion of privacy, I am absolutely offended when those same people insist upon putting my address into their GPS.  We have to stop pretending there will be special protection and provision from our Creator, when we've chosen to use other means all along.  Too many people think they will be ready to fend for themselves when it hits the fan, but they are still entirely dependent now.  Unfortunately, I think many religious folks are scoping out their plan of moving their dependency from the government simply to another dependency.

Entirely too many Americans remain in constant need of assistance while claiming it to be of G-d.  We've got to get away from that programmed thinking and it's not easy.  There have been years and years of it woven into the very fabric of our society.  According to the Word of G-d, rain in it's season, bountiful produce, full kneading bowls, and flocks and herds defined prosperity and were the results of obedience.  A good credit rating was never promised as prosperity.  A fat bank account wasn't mentioned in the list of blessings.  An all powerful government is actually not a blessing at all, and as we can see; is actually unfolding to be quite a curse.

Come out from her my people.  Think of one thing that is costing money and not really helping your spiritual or physical health and get it out of your life.  I assure you, you will live through it.  I got rid of my television years before I got a computer and my computer is still a desktop.  I am not continually connected.  Yes, the tax man knows my address and sadly, I now know I register on GPS, but I still maintain a certain autonomy in my dependency at this time.  Eliminating "earthly dependency" is the key to eliminating debt.  There are a lot of folks saying "G-d is all I need" but for most of us, those are just words.  We've got to start disconnecting before the dependency and connections lead to captivity.  

Asleep at the Wheel

Our Heavenly Father has a much better plan than the one we've developed over the past 50 years!

We've Been Sold Out

It's no secret that America is in deep debt.  The means of figuring the budget vs. collecting the revenue, while estimating increases and decreases is mind boggling at best, and completely convoluted using more than one system of accounting.

I've included a link to an interesting site.  I don't necessarily agree with the figures proposed, but then again, with two different methods of accounting, I certainly can't prove any disagreement, either.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.justfactsdaily.com/treasury-report-federal-fiscal-shortfall-is-603000-per-household/
We can be sure that the can has been kicked down the road so far into future generations, the debt problem will never be fixed by current methods.  When "the note" is called in, Americans will have no alternative but to change, completely change, our lifestyle.

According to my research and understanding, every American citizen is collateral toward the debt.  Marriage licenses are a contract with the state.  A birth certificate declares the increase of collateral, therefore greater borrowing power, and a social security number declares a labor force.  Social security numbers have gone from "not intended for identification" issued at the age to get a driver's license or gainful employment to the application completed with a newborn's birth certificate and required to be claimed as a deduction on the parent's tax form.  This has happened in less than 50 years, and we've only had a social security system for 80 years.

The ownership of Americans is obviously not a new concept, but forcing younger generations into indebtedness without their knowledge or consent is reprehensible.  Someone has to stop the madness.  We can't erase the debt that has been accrued, but we can certainly determine to stop creating further debt.  How can Americans willingly and knowingly surrender our grandchildren into indentured servitude for our own comfort or convenience?  Blaming the government for "selling us out" may work to salve the conscience of those who would cash the checks, but the fact of the matter is, the establishment generations are selling out the younger ones.  That makes absolutely no sense in a society that bases their primary religious beliefs on the writings of the Apostle Paul, who stated . . . I will not be burdensome to you . . . for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.  II Corinthians 12:14b

It's Impossible to Fall Out of Debt

As the Gregorian calendar year concludes this week, many think of resolutions.  I don't think so much of resolutions as that feels like the ticket to a let down, and the first Biblical calendar month is in the spring.  I do consider two things this time of year, however; that seem a bit like a resolution.  I keep the standard business year regarding profit, loss, and taxes, so I do make certain economic assessments at this time.  The other thought is in regard to weight management . . . It's not a New Year's resolution so much as I know, I do not want to begin the Biblical year 20 pounds heavier, so I resolve to maintain my weight.  Enough about that, back to the economic assessment.

Being self-employed, I don't receive a tax refund, so figuring my taxes isn't as exciting as it is for many.  Mine are more a matter of just getting it done and behind me for the year.  For those who will receive a tax refund, the figuring begins as soon as the W2s arrive.  This year's refund could be a new economic start for some.  The tax refund may not eliminate all the financial issues, but for many it's a substantial amount of money that can be used to eliminate a debt or put toward an investment.  The tax refund is not part of the regular budget!

Americans have been programmed to believe we must borrow our way into the American dream.  I speak from experience on this following statement.  One has to remain asleep to keep a dream alive!  We can fall into debt, but we cannot fall out of it.  We must determine to become debt free.  The Bible does refer to debt and it's not mentioned as sin, but rather servitude.  Proverbs tells us the borrower is servant to the lender.  That applies to credit cards, banks, payday loans and cash for car titles.

Banks have more fees and the feds' printing presses have slowed, so the "cost" of money is going to go up.  Meanwhile downtown businesses have not been restored.  Construction is not booming in the suburbs, and many who lost their homes in this great recession, continue to be homeless.  The only restoration that we have really seen is the Stock Market and we already know, the fat cats don't lose their footing when the house of cards collapses.  The folks in Washington seem to weather economic storms well, also.  What's left of the Middle Class has hung on, but it wouldn't take much of a shift to reduce that class to the chasm between the elite and the impoverished servants.  Congress very recently passed legislation for further protection of the banking industry.  Another economic issue is on the horizon . . . Debt will be a hindrance.

Time is More Valuable Than Money

I've done a great deal of comparison and differentiation when it comes to time and money versus the world system and the Kingdom, but something very simple dawned upon me this week that has to be shared.  It's such a basic fact, everyone may already know this!  The truth is short and it's up to us as to whether it's bitter or sweet.

Money poorly spent, can often be "made up" if the amount isn't too large.  A poor financial investment can be rectified and the money applied another direction.  Even bad debt can be paid off, or in severe cases, bankruptcy can offer a clean slate.  But time misspent and poorly invested is lost forever . . .  We are each given so many hours in a day, and no one is guaranteed tomorrow.













Money can be made and replaced and the Fed can just print it, but . . . time spent, good or bad, is spent.