The borrower is enslaved to the lender

Though I won't pretend to be an expert on the current economic fall out in the US; I will add my two cents worth to the swirling spins. Most of us, unless you've been in a cave, have heard about or felt the happening across the country. Whether you own a business, large or small, have a retirement account with a portfolio of dabbling in mutual funds, gambling big in short falls on the stock market, or are simply a home owner trying to stay employed to make ends meet - this crises has imbued on everyone with an all encompassing effect. And I don't see an end to it, with or without a bailout.

The blame game is somewhat amusing, I must say. Though there's certainly serious wrong doing on some one's part. Generally I think we as a nation are to blame because we cultivated our lifestyle with irresponsible tools for selfish gain (my minor children, who weren't working at the time, have been solicited to receive credit). Yet as I listen to the commentaries, the senator's speeches, the reporters and then a few more voices out there; it's clear to me the finger pointing is only a distraction. Most want to rest blame somewhere, thinking it may arrest the culprit or at least appease an angry victim. Like that's going to help matters...I don't think so. Frankly, there's so many contributing factors. So I think it best to suck it up, learn from our mistakes jointly and make better choices down the road. No pain, no gain...or more close to the point; if I touch a hot burner - I've learned not to touch it again. I just hope I don't lose my whole hand in the process.

But how do we do that with so many who will suffer, and more others ready to relieve their pain? Take for example the bail out with the government treasury. I think this band-aid is treating a symptom when surgery is necessary. We've been conditioned to consume, consume, consume - and borrowing is a way of life to achieve it. This has inflated everything to the point where now we need to have two working incomes in every household, postponed retirement and insurance for EVERYTHING. Let's not forget all those taxes we pay on all that consumption, either.

King Solomon would say in a nut shell; avoid borrowing. (Proverbs 22:7). Real freedom isn't found in an abundance of choices and opportunity to make them. But it's in the wisdom to know when to be prudent. Borrowing makes one beholden to the lender. And that's enslavement - hardly freeing.

I'm sadden to think it'll be at least a generation (or two) when a new upbringing may change things. That's after a total collapse and there are no other choices out of this pit but up. The bail out plan is perhaps a lesser of two evils at this point. Uncle Sam is the rich guy that can provide a loan big enough and is able to sit on it long enough until the market becomes viable again. But it's just more borrowing with the hope that the investment may pay off down the road. What did the King say exactly? 'The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender'. That feels a little scary to me. Especially because the Congress, the Whitehouse, the US Supreme Court (let's not forget the Pentagon) have too much leeway for permeating corruption, gaining a ruling hand over me - no thank you.

Here's another thought. With banks having their butts covered; I think they'll dump those empty houses and pull the market down further. As I said before; it's time for surgery and not a band-aid and it's going to be painful.

Or, we could continue as we have with a cavalere way about things. Like someone once said to me, "If I died tomorrow with all my debts paid off; heck, think of all I could've had, high on the hog!"

Wisdom Cries Aloud

In the annals of King Solomon, recorded in the book of Proverbs, is a host of wise principles - those that sagaciously influenced his reign and named him the wisest king of all times. These inherent principles have proven timeless and universal, thus a guide post for humanity. I suggest this warrants a greater scrutiny of this benevolent gift from King Solomon - especially in the face of contemporary displays by humankind of licentious behaviour that lacks discipline, prudence, or aesthetic quality, which could be deemed as unwise.

My examination of the Proverbs will be an endeavor for personal devotions and meditation that is relative to current events. Hopefully, I will at least trigger some deliberation that may influence others to a higher standard and purpose. My expectations are to impact spheres of networking for a general good in our contemporary time. And I believe that is a beneficial thing, which is relevant today with a populous appeal.

Firstly, what is wisdom? Let me suggest that it is an inclination of far reaching insight to the consequences of choices made, having sound judgment and understanding for doing what is right, just and fair. It is that which gives one prudence, discretion and guidance for disciplined behavior. Yet directing deliberate action with a chaste response to situations that yield beneficial and profitable outcome for those who execute its mandates. I'm sure there's more to it than that but at least it's a start. In stating thus I'm convinced; we can't have enough wisdom.

The foundation of wisdom, so says King Solomon, rests on the fear of God. This may be problematic for some of you who don't believe in God. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater just yet, thinking this isn't a worthwhile study. Sometimes, as when 'all roads lead back to Rome', (logically I propose); we may find housed within a study of wisdom, a revelation of the master of it. If there is a Creator of all things by intelligent design; then it's logical to deduct that He is the author of that direction for humans to live well. Wisdom is simply that credible direction by him who is veritable and desires for our success. By inherent nature; our creator would want us to have a thriving existence and posterity.

In this age there's an ever increasing abundance of knowledge available to human kind, but there seems to be no common sense in an application of it. I contend with the premise that having knowledge makes one smart or intelligent. Anyone can acquire information and spew it out for show and tell. It's like a hard drive with a host of files and documents but no software to drive the bits of information anywhere it'll do someone good. In fact, contrarily that's not smart - it makes one a fool. Even a simpleton with little knowledge can apply wisdom that does a body good.

Therefore I invite you to ruminate upon the Proverbs with me, making comments along the way, spurring us all on to become, at least, more wise - and then perhaps, successfully thriving in the greater scheme of things.