WHOSE FAULT IS IT ? Would you run that by me, again.

A favorite segment of Network News, nowadays, is: "The Family In 'Crisis' and How They're Coping".

     Usually some couple who are, at least 30 pounds overweight sitting on the perfunctory battered, rundown sofa (charged @ Rooms To Go). While they're telling their tale of woe.  Lost Union Jobs (which between salary and benefits, helped to drive the factory they worked at into the ground), about to lose Unemployment payments (really?, last time I checked the Central Gov't is going to continue supporting SLOTH) and don't know how they're going to cope as a Family.

Well, let's take a look around.

     "Sissy" is in her bedroom texting (if not sexting) friends. They have the unlimited plan on the new cell phone (what better tool for these people?).

     Heaven forbid, she should be reading a book or going online to improve her knowledge of the world. There are shortcuts on her desktop! (American Idol, America's Got Talent, 3 for [mindless] Chatrooms, "Current Events" [nevermind, it links her to MSNBC]). 11 year old Sis is only 10 pounds overweight, but she's working on it which is evident by the half-full pack of Oreo Double Stuff at the foot of her bed.

     "BoBo" is riding around the back yard on one of the ATVs they "own" (local Yamaha Dealership owns the paper).

     He's a chip off the ole block (an apple which will never roll far away from the tree). Dressed in camo, he's a husky lad, 17 pounds overweight from sitting on his already lazy ass. After he's done with his ride, he can go to his PC and expand his knowledge. Opps!, I was mistaken(his desktop has A.I., A.G.T., 5 Chats, "Current Events" [S.O.S] and 7 Video Games).

     The house this brood lives in was nice. They could well-afford a house for $120K, back in 2006. This abode, of course, costed $205K.

     They moved in and CHARGED: the dining set and china cabinet, the sofa, big screen t.v., entertainment center (signed up for Premium Cable), "master bedroom" suite, new bedroom suite for Sis (pink and yellow), computers for Sis and Bo, repalcement dishwasher, gas grill, and above-ground swimming pool (a true testament to a household budget out of control).

They've also "PURCHASED" (read: charged or financed):   a second ATV (how are father and son going to go hunting w/o individual rides?), new GMC truck for Dad (Central Government owns the paper on that), Dodge P/T Cruiser for Mom (Fiat owns paper on that one), patio set, La-Z-Boy recliner, and riding lawnmower for their 1/2 acre estate (w/small trailer and snow blower attachment); Heaven forbid any one of them walks that blubber off, or grabs a snow shovel to clear that 20 Feet of driveway.  
      They have spent countless dollars on hobbies.  Week-end hunting and camping [equipement inclusive].  SCRAPbooking & crafts (towit, Mother has been so prolific that the house looks as if a "tacky bomb" has been detonated).  Not to mention, sporting events and vacations (perfuntory and always the beach). 
    Countless dollars were spent "dining" out at McDonalds or Applebees or I.H.O.P (and make no mistake, when this lot "strapped the feedbag on",  small and medium sizes need not be offered). 
     They shopped at Sears or Target (which they refer to as "tar-gea") or Best Buy .  They had now-defunct Credit Cards at these stores, so money was not an object.  Speaking of which, their credit cards are in default and the "Big Bad Banks" are going to charge them higher interest on the next credit lines they apply for!  What nerve...

One gets the idea of how fiscally inept these people were, but PLEASE, let their tale of woe be a PRIVATE AGONY. Those of us who did not have their resources to squander after our SAVING and INVESTING do not need to see this.