Is our government addicted to the act of rewarding bad behavior?

Let’s see: Bad decisons…you’re bailed out! Mismanagement…who cares? You’re bailed out. Greed/deception…bailed out! Can’t sell cars…you’re bailed out! The list now reads: Bear Sterns, IndyMac, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Citibank, AIG, Ford, Crysler, and GM, Who’s next? Last I looked, the line looked a little shorter at Starbucks.

Is this the new America? What happened to the risk in business? What happened to free markets? You know those patches they use to cure addictions? I sure wish there was a bailout patch! Capitalism is survival of the fittest. If you cannot manage a company, keep up with the competition, deliver high quality products and services, you deserve to go out of business – plain and simple? So we thought…

Then along comes the federal government bailouts. Hundreds and hundreds of billions of dollars coming back to you and me: the taxpayers. Citing imminent danger to the national economy, President Bush ordered an emergency bailout of the U.S. auto industry today, offering $17.4 billion in rescue loans and demanding tough concessions from the deeply troubled carmakers and their workers. Granting loans for failed businesses was not what Congress intended when it passed the $700 billion plan to rescue financial institutions. If we think the government is capable of bailing everyone out of every financial mess that may occur then we are fools. That’s how much of the world is viewing us now – especially those nations who wish to see our demise.

We have saved the irresponsible, fattened the greedy, and delayed the inevitable. Now is the time to acknowledge and accept that each of us is solely responsible for our own future. Not the government! Not our company! Now is the time to devise a plan and put it into action. Develop a financial plan based on what you can control: your income, spending, saving, and investing.

Those who follow a faith-based financial plan have an opportune time to prosper!
Seize the day and plan for your future. Don’t wait any longer. With God by your side, you can accomplish anything. Don’t settle for mediocrity, expect the supernatural! Unsure of how to include God in your financial plan, read The Faith-Based Millionaire for FREE during the month of December.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the bailouts…