Of he to whom much has been given, much is expected

Yes, everybody makes mistakes and yes, everyone deserves a second chance; but what about those of us who did it right the first time? What about those of us who went to college, stayed with an established company, put in our time, paid our dues, bought a home at a fixed rate, tithed religiously, saved diligently, and spent judiciously?

When the Feds cut interest rates, to try to rally a fledgling economy, investments – including those of people who were planning to retire this week - are worth less, if not worthless. When the government bails out people who chose to gamble on an ARM, those of us who made safer, smarter decisions pay for it in taxes. Just as we pay for welfare. Just as we pay for life in prison.

Where is our second chance? Where is our government assistance? What is the payoff for doing it right the first time? Everyone wants fewer people "in the system" but the system keeps making it so damn easy. The assumption is that people who have a little bit of money don't need the help. They are lucky; living a charmed life. No chance they worked hard or are good with money. No way did they do a little research and make some hard decisions.

We make fun of schools where dodge ball and red pens are outlawed because it makes kids feel bad, but then we predicate that same mentality in our adult world. Are you down because you had a kid you can't afford? Here's some cash. Feeling blue because you bought more house than you could afford? Let us pick up the tab for you.

There must be penalties in life; there must be consequences. The function of government is not to eliminate those consequences but to create an environment where there is incentive to make responsible decisions. This is very different from comfort in the knowledge that even if you make a series of bad decisions someone will come and change your diaper.