Economics 101 - What has to change and it's not pretty

Change is rolling off of the tongues of just about everyone these days. Washington insiders are promising change as a means to survive the onslaught of the real advocate of change. But what change is necessary, what will really take place and are we really ready for the depth of change that many indicate is required to avoid the type of devastation projected if serious change does not occur?

I happened to catch a portion of Bill Moyers Journal today and the subject was America's long term economic solvency. In their book, Where does the money go, Scott Bittle and Jean Johnson
tell us the things we need to know to understand the Federal Budget crisis, and like it or not, it is a crisis that if not addressed will seriously impact the future.

As of 1/31/08, the deficit stood at 9.2 TRILLION DOLLARS.

The most important change needs to eliminate that debt. That means tough choices for everyone and it will be up to the people of this country to let our elected officials know that we no longer need to build a million dollar overpass so that two corporate wheat farmers can avoid sending a truck five miles out of its way to get to the other side of the freeway.

When Bush took control he inherited a surplus. The real questions is, do the citizens of this country have what it takes to return to that level? Spending cuts and tax increases are going to be necessary; will those running for office be bold enough to go there or will it be more of the same? Time will tell.

Or maybe we just need a president like Dave. When it came time to come up with some cash for a childrens shelter, he gathered all his advisors together and asked them if they really needed all of their little pet projects like making people feel better about a car they already owned. No earmarks, no pork, that is what we must demand.