My concerns

[5ft Diva]

I become concerned when I hear that our country is going further in to debt. I have heard our prophets tell us to get out of debt for how many years now? And our country is doing just the opposite. It causes great concern in my mind that the direction Heavenly Father has told us to move in is completely opposite from the direction our nation is headed.

Possibly as many programs that are being introduced are being cut, but I become concerned when I hear about more government programs being introduced. As if we don't already have enough balls in the air. As a mother, I know first hand how non-effective it is to be too involved in my children's lives. Hovering does not encourage strong and healthy relationships. I know first hand how non-effective I am when I do too much. It doesn't take long before you're constantly running in "crisis-mode". There's only so much energy one can expel before they collapse.

I am disenchanted with big government and it has left a bitter taste in my mouth. My feelings are that the government is there to enable the People to solve their own problems, not to solve our problems for us. The problem with solving my problem for me is that I didn't choose the solution. When I step back and see the big picture the words "Subtle Coercion" come to mind.

I'm just frustrated - these are my concerns. Do you have any?

[natickgirl]

I have the same concerns as you mentioned. It's the whole give a man a fish vs. teaching a man to fish debate. I have seen first hand how destructive it is to enable people's laziness by giving them too many handouts. All you do is give them a sense of entitlement and dependency. Gov't social programs are a good idea if they are managed wisely, and function as a temporary aid to struggling families while giving them skills to improve their situation....much like Church welfare programs are run.

I am also very concerned about the gov't spending money it doesn't have. I don't see how we as taxpayers can afford to pay much more, especially while we're all struggling in the current economy. Debts have to be repaid eventually...it's not as if the gov't can be bailed out like it bailed out the banks. (Unless we rely on foreign bailouts, but that would come at an even higher cost!!!)

I also don't think people should be forced to support social programs they don't morally agree with just because it's politcally correct...I think people should be given the agency to support causes they believe in. (Satan forces; God allows....socialism forces; capitalism allows.)

The prophets have been inspired, and have given us good advice (avoid debt, get education, be self-reliant, be prepared for difficult times, a "hand up" rather than "handout" welfare program, etc. It's too bad the gov't leaders rely on man's wisdom rather than God's, because we all end up paying.

Sorry! You shouldn't have gotten me started....

[Erudite]

Interesting thoughts, Ladies. I'm right there with you.