The Truth Hurts

The poor economy.

It is getting blamed for everything.

Now, I understand the obvious blaming.  Money in is about the same,  while money out seems to have grown exponentially.  Around here, inflation is a four letter word.  That, and the words insurance benefits (Ha!  That is an oxymoron.) I am clipping coupons, scouring the grocery circulars, and buying in bulk (12 pounds of ground beef anyone?) because of the economy.  We are having more family meals at home, as well as forgoing a Spring Break getaway, all in the name of  the economy.  But, there are some people out there that are using the poor economy as a scapegoat.

Last week, I read an article about how the economy is actually making people fatter.  Now, I am all for comfort food in times of stress (See my earlier Krispie Kreme post if you do not believe me!), but it is hard for me to comprehend how someone can accuse the economy of packing on his pounds.  As if the economy is secretly lurking in his pantry, quietly rubbing his clasped hands and chortling evilly, "Aha!  I've got them!" C'mon!   I do not think that the Dow Jones took a nose dive and people across America said, "That's it.  I give up.  I am poor, and now I think that I'll be fat too!  That will do wonders for my self worth."  

Ahem.

 I think not.

 It frustrates me that I live in a culture where people refuse to take responsibility for their actions.  What?  You say that you made bad decisions in your business? Hundreds upon hundreds of people are out of work or out of money because of your decisions? Oh, no problem.  There is no need for you to admit wrong doing or even apologize.  You are in America, the land of the free and apparently, the land of the do over.  What?  You decided to buy a designer suit for $5,000, and now you don't have the money to pay for it?  Again, no problem.  Don't worry about working off that impulse buy off over time, just declare bankruptcy.  Everyone does it.  Your debts will be absolved, and you get to keep your home.  Hooray!  What?  You don't fit in your favorite pair of jeans anymore?  Ooooooooh.  It couldn't be all of those poor meal choices that you have made over the course of the last year.  It couldn't possibly be because you are not exercising or making healthy choices for your body.  It has to be the economy.

Of course.

The economy is the only explanation. . .

because,

the truth would hurt too much.