I was reading a talk by Boyd K. Packer on self-reliance and found myself getting upset by how many people I know that choose to "take advantage" of the system of government we have and choose not to be self-reliant. Here is a quote which I share to provide a context for discussion: "The welfare handbook instructs, “(We must) earnestly teach and urge members to be self-sustaining to the fullest extent of their power. No Latter-day Saint will … voluntarily shift from himself the burden of his own support. So long as he can, under the inspiration of the Almighty and with his own labors, he will supply himself with the necessities of life.” (1952, p. 2.)
We have succeeded fairly well in establishing in the minds of Latter-day Saints that they should take care of their own material needs and then contribute to the welfare of those who cannot provide the necessities of life. If a member is unable to sustain himself, then he is to call upon his own family, and then upon the Church, in that order, and not upon the government at all."
I have not called upon the government for help but in May I will be receiving what the federal government has called "an economic stimulus" check in the mail. I think I may even receive close to $2000. For what, I ask? I don't pay taxes. I actually get paid a nice sum of money to have the children I have and for Hayden to have the job he has. Granted, he does pay into social security and medicaid....but that is another issue....we don't pay income tax. So, what should I do with this money? What is the moral or ethical thing for me to do with the money? Should I spend it because it is free money and after all it will help the economy, right? Should I give it to someone else like my brother-in-law who won't see a check because he is a dirty capitalist and has been really successful in his business ventures? Should I do something good with it like buy more food storage...because that is something 'worthy' to spend it on? I am really asking anyone reading this right now to post a comment and let me know what their thoughts are on this.
So my next question is do we even know where the money the government is sending is coming from? Not from any surplus, that's for sure. The money that is being distributed is hot off the presses and came from THIN AIR! So hurray for the government for giving us money to quickly go out and spend...but wait....how come milk is so expensive these days? ...and how come my paycheck doesn't seem to buy as much anymore?
As the government prints more money, the dollars we already have are worth LESS than they were before. It's an invisible tax equally distributed on everyone with a dollar. That's because the dollar is backed by NOTHING but confidence that it's actually worth something. The dollar today is worth about 4 cents in 1913 money (before the Fed came in to save us all). That's some kind of inflation rate, wouldn't you say?
Look at it this way...if you have a ton of debt, the value of that debt is actually going down. However, if you've got anything in savings, well you're losing your shorts...sorry.
So, if you're really fast I bet you can spend that government check before the prices go up. But ya really gotta be quick about it!
All this thinking and questioning has caused me undue stress and so screw it....I am taking the money and going on vacation....anyone want to join me?
6 comments:
Heather - I would definitely take that stimulus check and sink it into food storage and emergency preparedness. It's pretty critical that your family be able to survive without any utilities, services, emergency services, etc. for a minimum of 6 weeks. (Take this from someone who has had too much Disaster Preparedness training.)
Second, the bankruptcy court is taking our stimulus check (so much for stimulating the economy.) Bastages, I was going to use it to pay for Alvin's anti-rejection meds after his kidney transplant next month. (Yeah, those suckers actually cost that much for the 90-day supply he has to take, just for 90 days.) So I'm on to plan D now, but A the court took, B didn't work, C tanked . . . but yeah, I have as many plans as the alphabet to take care of this.
Anyway, the point is that you're getting this check, whether you want it or not, take it and put it to good use in a way that will protect your family in the future.
By the way, Heather. I've linked you to my favorite blogs on my blog. So hopefully that will drive some traffic your way.
You are also the spotlighted blogger this week.
In addition, I'd love to have you join our LDS Blogs Webring community. Pop over to my blog, scroll down on the right a little ways and you'll see the code. Just click on join. Please? We need you!
Hi Heather,
Last Sunday the Bishop read a letter to us from the prophet or someone important and the letter said we were urged to use a portion of the check to buy food storage. I regret I do not rememember who sent the letter, but the important thing is to get the food storage.
Heather - you need to put the LDSBlogs Webring code on your page so I can move your site to the Active Members queue.
Wow! is all I can say. I am really impressed with your comments, Heather. You are really getting an education in some cruicially important issues in our time. I wish everyone was as excited as you were about learning this stuff. But like you say-- by sharing this with others, it spreads freedom and sheds light on the lies that are being spread through our media and culture about money and politics. I couldn't agree more with everything you've said. It goes along with everything I've been studying as well. I applaud you for taking the time to share what you are learning. I am excited to come back and check your blogs more often and Learn!
Thanks! Tara
Heather - I finally got to read your blogs. Good job!! Hey, I took a portion of our stimulus check and put it towards building the studio so I can be a dirty capitalist and build a business doing what I love. Yay, capitalism. Hey, since our govenment seems to be hell-bent on going socialist, I figured I would take their "air money" and put it towards something socialists hate...capitalism. So there.
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