Pointing The Finger

Someone who I greatly admire has been posting what I would consider statements that absolve those who make poor decision of their responsibility. If I do something that later results in my being impositioned (I use the word to cover a whole multitude of sins), it must be someone else who twisted my arm to make that decision. I cannot possibly accept that measure of personal responsibility for signing the papers to chase the dream that I had to have. What ever happened to saving up and buying when we could afford it? Oh yea, it went out when Madison Avenue decided that we should have everything and the hell with the consequences.

There are some people that are victims of circumstances. If you lost your job at the wrong time or suffered from an accident that was not of your making, there should be a safety net for you to fall back on. If you were just greedy and went after the whole nine yards instead of realizing that (as Robert Heinlein says in Stranger In A Strange Land, "Waiting Is..."), you went for the whole enchilada, shame on you. If you want to gamble, go to Vegas. If you want to be safe and secure, manage your passion. Live within your means and save for your dreams.

I am sure that many people are suffering but their poor decision making does not make them victims. It is like any other gambler. If you cannot afford to make the bet, stay away from the tables. Every time you take out a loan or use your credit card, you promise to pay it back. If you do not have the time to spend reading the consequences of your actions, than you get what you get. As Ian Gillian (lead singer for Deep Purple for those who are musically challenged) sings in Nobody's Home from Perfect Strangers ( how appropriate) "Forgive me as I turn away." I do not expect forgiveness, from those who shun responsibility. After all they can always blame someone else.

Icool

Cobb