I Want a New Harness and Leash

I want a new harness and leash.....maybe some new toys too?

I was in the pet store the other day and saw a sharp looking harness and leash. I already have one of each, but these were great colors and I thought I would be able to prance around the neighborhood to show off my new purchases.

To my dismay, my human reminded me that these were unnecessary since I already had a set. I knew that already, didn't need to be reminded, but I still wanted them. What or who would it hurt?

I started begging, whimpering and licking, all to no avail. My cute face usually gets me what I want, but my human reminded me we were on a tight budget. I have no idea what a budget is, don't particularly wish to hear anything about a budget, and now don't care for whatever that is one bit! I just want my new harness and leash and maybe a few new toys! I dared not mention the new gas grill that arrived last week since I had a feeling my treat consumption would suffer as a result....

This is our new reality. Our government has a big budget, acts like they don't have a budget, spends money on stupid things and then wants us to pay for it through more taxes. I, for one, am taxed out. There is no more to give. I have cut back, cut off, sliced away, chiseled at, pruned, reined in, restrained, decreased, curbed and curtailed. All of it hurts. I ruminate and evaluate before actions and purchases. There are always trade-offs: if I buy this, I can't have that.

In the grand scheme of things I can deal with minor inconveniences, but when I see the massive debt and waste and reliance from more tax dollars I wonder what our leaders are thinking. I don't work as much anymore, which means less tax dollars from my income and the small businesses I help. Businesses won't increase labor while people are not spending, be it manufacturing, retail, clothing or food. If they feel pressure on an uncertain economy, they will hold tight or scale back.

I have learned to tighten my budget and live within my means. When will our government do the same? Wake up Americans!

Sen. Tom Coburn's 2013 Wastebook examples:

• $297 million on an army blimp
• $325,525 to study heated marital arguments
• $5 million for crystal stemware at U.S. Embassies
• $630,000 spent by state department to attract followers to its Facebook and Twitter accounts
• $3 million by NASA to study how Congress works

"I have enough money to last me the rest of my life, unless I buy something."

Jackie Mason (1934 - )

 

"Save a little money each month and at the end of the year you'll be surprised at how little you have."

Ernest Haskins