Obama’s (and my) Budget Plan
My household, like so many across the country, is going to be making some changes to deal with the economic crisis, and the scary future it portends. Luckily, it appears that I’m pretty much on the same page as our incoming (but sort of already) President, Barack Obama. In fact, I’m going to take ALMOST verbatim comments from his news conference statement Tuesday, and make slight tweaks so they resonate effectively with my family, and our household economy. Obama’s words come first, my customized changes will be in parenthesis.
Good morning, (Would you please pipe down for a minute?!)
I speak to you today, mindful (ticked off as hell) that we meet at a moment of great challenge (stress) for America (the Watkins family). But I’m confident (really worried) that we will (won’t) rise to meet this (making sarcastic air quotes when I say) challenge.
When we are facing both rising deficits (bouncing checks) and a sinking economy (too many trips to the hair salon), budget reform (hiding all the credit cards) is not an option. It is an imperative. We cannot sustain a system (checking account) that bleeds (what feels like) billions of (my hard-earned) dollars on programs (toys) that have outlived their usefulness (that you play with once then never use again), or exist solely because of the power of a politician (wife), lobbyist (children), or interest group (bookies). We simply cannot afford it.
We (I) will go through our (out of control household) budget – page by page, line by line – eliminating those programs (Christmas presents) we don’t need, and insisting that those we do (are on deep, deep discount) operate in a sensible cost-effective way... That is what I intend to do as President of the United States (the guy who wears the pants around here.. just kidding, Honey!). Thank you. (Now get outta here!)
Comments: 2
i would like to see a story on the rising interest rates on credit cards, especially Citibank. it seems my tax dollars are going to bail out this major corporation and they are still allowed to raise interest rates to the consumer (tax payer) who is paying for the bail out.
this should be criminal. the taxpayer (me) gets to foot the bill twice.
where is the relief for the working poor? My husband and i sent 3 kids to college and did not receive one penny form the federal, state or city agencies. we were, however allowed to take out loans, which my children are still in the process of paying. they were taught that you take care of your responsibilities. a very hard lesson, when all around them no one else is doing that.
we are both 58 years old and now wonder if after working all these years, over 40, we will be able to retire at all.
well, i think i have vented long enough. i hope this doesn't fall on deaf ears.
We are hopeful that things will change and we will get back to enjoying the American Dream.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas.
Mr. Watkins,
I have to say that i watch your news broadcast almost religiously and think that yourself and Mrs Tong are amazing anchors. I have to say that I'm thoroughly confused how someone as intelligent as yourself would be so liberal. I can't believe with all the news input that you have the liberty of coming across, (most of which is filter out, by the liberal press) you would have such strong affliction for this awful misrepresentation of a president-elect. Just shocked and upset, you let me down