Tyrannosaurus Debt

One thing I was able to pass along to my kids from my childhood was the ol' Schoolhouse Rock videos that used to play every Saturday morning in between cartoons. I didn't realize it then but those little 2 minute education videos were to last in my memory well past the time I watched cartoons. I bought the video series for my kids when they were still too young to appreciate them (I of course had to watch them a few extra times to make sure they were still relevant..ahem) but now that they are 3 and 5 years old they are loving the songs and lessons. One of the songs that I didn't remember was called "Tyrannosaurus Debt". Apparently the national debt was pretty large back then also and caused a concern for the country. I wonder how the debt ratio compares now vs then if you adjust it to inflation. Has it become worse? Better? The same? I don't know but I do know that the national debt of 8.5 Trillion dollars is beyond belief. How is that our government can spend that much more than it takes in and still operate? As a percentage of the national budget it may be less imposing but can you imagine what the possibilities would be if we didn't have that debt hanging over our heads? The interest alone is over 200 Billion dollars per year. Can you imagine that it would cost each person in the US $650 dollars to pay the interest alone? What if we eliminated the debt? That would save us $28000 per person a year. What kind of society would we live in when each and every person made at least $28000 per year? Each year our elected representatives talk about reducing the "deficit". That's not the debt, it's only the amount that gets added to the debt. So how do we force our leaders to become fiscally responsible? I don't have any answers but at least now I know more about the problem. The possibilities once we become debt free are endless, but the road getting there is going to be long and extremely difficult with the current tax and spend mentality in D.C.

Giving in

Anyone who has little kids knows that bed times are synonymous with bedtime stories, getting ready for bed and good night kisses. But there's more. Last minute bathroom needs, thirst quenching and other various creative stall tactics are also a part of the parent-kid bedtime dance. I'm scared, I'm hungry, I'm thirsty, I need to prepare a thesis on the time space continuum are all common stall techniques passed down heretically through the ages. My son is no exception. On top of this he has allergies that make it more difficult to fall asleep some nights. Last night was one such night. After about an hour of his sniffling, asking for water and being unable to fall asleep he came into my room. I was already in bed awaiting the end of a TV show I was watching when he slowly came in looking at me with those pleading eyes. I knew that he was having a hard time falling asleep due to his allergies so I asked if he wanted to climb up into Mommy and Daddies bed. His face lit up instantly. He climbed up into the middle of the bed and covered up. I told him it was time to go to sleep and turned off the TV. As I reached for the light switch he put his hand on my arm, looked me straight in the eye and said those words that made giving in worth it. "You're the best Daddy ever. Thanks for letting me sleep here tonight".
He's 5 and yet he understands being grateful! I got a 2 fold gift in those sentences. First, the love of my 5 year old son, and second knowing that he understands what it means to appreciate things. We must be doing something right. My pride in my son was overflowing that night and we soon both drifted off to sleep with smiles on our faces.