Start of a new era

Tomorrow begins a new era in the United States, for better - and worse.

Yes, America needs to move on from the Bush administration. No question about that. Yes, it's great that a minority was elected to the highest office in the land, giving a lot of people a sense of validation and renewed hope. And maybe even some healing.

The expectations, though, are frightening. When people realize, and many never will, that government can't (and shouldn't!) fix everything that's wrong in their lives, the honeymoon will be over.

The current mess we find ourselves in isn't due any one political party or even ideology. It's due to one thing, and one thing only: entitlement. Our culture has so convinced us that we need and deserve a nice house, a nice car, the latest television, the best cellphone, and the nicest clothes We're convinced that if we don't have these things that we don't measure up - and there's an easy way to get the shiny thing that will make us think we've arrived: Credit.

When we ALL stop believing that BS and start living within our means - that's when real change will happen. That's the change that's needed in our economy. Proverbs says "The borrower is slave to the lender." Is it really any wonder what's going on?

There's always an answer to the desires of our heart, but is it right one.

Thanks to Michael Sitarzewski for the inspiration to write this.