Upon reflecting, stressing, getting frustrated, and getting mad about the state of affairs in present day society, I decided to write a bit about my ideal society, or Utopia as I will call it. I started with one post, then decided it was amazingly long winded, would bore everyone to death and lose most of you a few minutes in. Hence, I will do a few posts over the next few weeks.
To summarize, my Utopia is full of responsible, forward thinking, intelligent individuals. Utopia cares about environmental preservation, creativity, healthy living, and integrity. It is a place that allows people to live among people of like moral character knowing that their neighbors are being held to the same level of high self responsibility.
The first, and probably the most important theme in Utopia is that fiscal responsibility is an absolute. No bailouts allowed in my Utopia. I could use many examples but let's use foreclosures to illustrate my point. I am outraged listening the monologue about people getting duped into buying houses they could not afford and therefore we, as a society, should provide a safety net to assist them into a situation that is better suited to their financial means (IE: principal deductions or one of the many other subsidized programs meant to prop up the housing situation but instead props up individuals who got themselves in over their heads). And we are to do so with grace while those people who are doltish enough to be "duped" ruin the values of the other houses in their neighborhoods, hence having a negative impact on their responsible neighbors.
This type of bailout action is setting a precedent that it is okay to be irresponsible, simple-minded, or whatever you want to call it, and everyone else will (be forced to) help you out. We are rewarding ignorance while the people who have been responsible and live within their means are being hurt by declining values and a system that rewards those being irresponsible.
Something as simple as a refinance has become next to impossible for those who fall into the responsible group, limiting the access to unprecedented low mortgage rates. In my Utopia, if you don't have the income to support a loan (mortgage or anything else) you do not get approved. If you do have the income to support the note, you are approved and banks are clamoring for your business because you are a good risk. They are happy to take you on at a low interest rate because that is what your responsible behavior has allowed you to qualify for and in the long run you will be a great customer. Lenders are not vying for the business of a high risk individual because they can charge them a higher interest rate, despite the fact that it has been proven that they will likely default in the long run.
In my Utopia, if you can't make your mortgage payments, you get kicked out. It is not a right to own a home. If you can't afford it, you either buy a house of lesser value that you can afford, or you rent something within your budget.
This idea translates into many other areas: you live within your means and you tend to needs before wants. If you can't afford the shoes, you don't buy them. If you can't afford the car, you don't buy it. You feed your kids before getting a tattoo or flying out of town. You pay your debts before buying a third car or second home. The difference between this and present day society is that everyone is held to this standard in Utopia, it is expected and demanded. If you don't live within your means, you will "fall through the cracks".
This concept of needs before wants applies to government entities as well. We maintain infrastructure before funding "fun" items - ie: decorative art fountains for parks, painting utility boxes to improve the view, or funding a sports stadium with public monies.
Imagine a society where roads were maintained, schools did not have to fight for their funding, firefighters and police officers did not worry about layoffs every day when going to work. Those services would be prioritized and the citizens of Utopia would see their tax dollars doing to support the services they expect government to provide.
I realize my opinion is unpopular. I realize I probably offended a few of you. An opinion is an opinion. If you have a different one, feel free to share that.
