“This directed to whoever in listening range. Yo the whole state of things in the world bout to change. Black rain fallin from the sky look strange. The ghetto is red hot, we steppin on flames. Yo, it’s inflation on the price for fame and it was all the same, but then the antidote came.” The Roots, “The Next Movement”, Things Fall Apart, 1999.

JUSTICE. The empire almost crumbled.  We are literally getting over by the hair of our chinny chin chin.  And we aren’t really out the woods just yet. Isn’t it scary that the U.S. economy is made up of mostly debt?  Isn’t it worse to imagine that without an increase on the debt ceiling our country would really be one iota away from a nation gone bankrupt?  Credit just straight up jacked. If the country has to get its debt ceiling raised just to trim its budget, I got to wondering why aren’t Americans being granted the same type of amnesty.  They say that we have a spending problem and not a revenue problem, right?  How many people do you know who have a spending problem rather than a revenue problem? Even if it is their fault that they are in over their head, if the country gets a chance to be bailed out because it’s over its head shouldn’t your friend who’s one check away from defaulting on their loans get a bail out?  Where’s the justice? I know of a student  who has to repay $300,000 in school loans for a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Shouldn’t that student be forgiven on his debt – especially since they are having trouble landing employment? IJS!!

In Obama’s weekly address he quotes Kelly Smith who responds to the debt ceiling debate by saying, “I pay my bills…I am a responsible person.  All I’m asking is that you be responsible. I have my house in order and all I’m asking is that you get yours the same way.” The “you” she refers to is our government. If she is paying her bills, then the government should be paying theirs.  Ok Kelly. I get that.  With the same logic I think if the country gets a debt ceiling increase and its corporations get a chance for a bailout then so should its citizens and consumers. Unfortunately a citizen bailout is wishful thinking.

The DDR: So what can we do?  We can make sure we clean up our act on the personal side.  We can cut the frivolous spending and reduce waste. Summer is slowly coming to an end and we are preparing to move into a new season. Let’s not transition into Fall with the same irresponsible mindset our government seems to wallow in. Today, decide to CLEAN HOUSE.