New Math and the Debt Ceiling...

I read an article this morning that quoted Treasury Secretary Jack Lew as saying unless the debt ceiling is raised the government will run out of money to borrow sometime in late February or early March. Now, I've posted the numbers before- monthly our government takes in $250 billion dollars, but spends $315 billion a month. that's a $65 billion dollar shortfall every month! Our public interest obligations are about $23 billion dollars each month so we have approximately $227 billion to spend. Now as a business owner I know that if I spend more- significantly more- than I take in each month in revenues I won't last long at all. So why do we allow our government to operate this way? I posed this question to my accountant, an elderly man, and his response was quick and harsh- "Because the people haven't revolted yet! Do you have an AK-47 and plenty of ammo? The day is coming and it's coming soon!"
I had an interesting idea this morning. Try this on- if we quit over spending by $65 billion every month and instead took that money and gave one million dollars to an elderly person on social security, or a homeless person, or someone who needed help, then taxed that million at 28% this would be the result:
Every month we would create 65,000 new millionaires.
*At the end of one year we would have created 780,000 new millionaires.
*At the end of one year we would have created $218.4 billion dollars in new revenue.
*If we continued this program for one decade we would have helped 7.8 million people and created $2.184 trillion dollars in revenue.
*This does not include any new revenues that might be created by the investment of these funds, or new jobs, businesses, or other private sector actions. What a stimulus for our economy- and it would be a tremendous example of government supporting the private sector!
I am certain that I could find far more than $65 billion in fat in our government budget- bringing our spending into balance with our revenues- and take the excess and invest it in our people who truly need help. We know there is billions spent in fraudulent welfare, social security disability, Medicare- virtually every government-run handout program is not well monitored and is rife with fraud. (If it was well monitored we wouldn't have the fraud!).
Perhaps it should be mandatory that before running for political office one should have to take a basic course in accounting and one in business. We have many, many lawyers in politics- what we need are sound businessmen and accountants who realize how to balance a budget...
Food for thought...

Reverence...

I was up early this morning, and out plowing snow, as we're getting blasted with 6-9" of the white stuff. When I came in I flipped on the TV and poured a cup of coffee, then set down to relax. There was a Catholic service on, and they were doing Communion. I often watch or try to experience different services, and try to keep an open mind towards other religions that differ from my personal beliefs... 
The thought that went through my mind as I watched was how regimented and formal their service is- even their prayers were written out and read- there didn't seem to be any of the intimacy, the personal relationship that I enjoy with my Lord. I found myself feeling sad, for what I thought they were lacking. Yet, at the same time I recognized the reverence and awe they displayed that is sometimes lacking in more "intimate" services I've experienced...
I'm glad I have an intimate, personal relationship with my Lord, but this morning I was reminded that He still demands reverence, awe, when I come to Him... I have heard it preached that we should be intimate, for as our example Jesus Christ prayed, "Abba, Father", which translates "daddy"... Yet, upon deeper research, it really doesn't translate "daddy" at all, Rather the translation is "Father". Three times this term is used in the New Testament, this Aramaic word in the Greek text, and in all three cases it is immediately followed by the Greek term for "Father"... While "Abba" may be more intimate in Judaism it is still a respectful term of "Father"...  
Father, please remind me, as I come to you intimately, to give you the proper reverence you demand and deserve...

Food for thought...