Post by alyssaostroff on Dec 5, 2008 16:11:13 GMT -5
Citation: Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News, 12/04/08
In the political cartoon, the time of year is apparently rapidly approaching the holiday season, for the man depicted is wearing a scarf, a jacket, and a hat. Now, the saying is “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas..,” but the man is saying he’d “rather have a green Christmas…” Surrounding the man in Mt. Rushmore like piles are thousands of bills, receipts, credit card statements, and debt. The holiday season has turned into a time to spend. Obviously, this man isn’t frugal because his wallet is bone dry. He has a discontent expression upon his face. The “green Christmas” he is referring to is one with green dollar bills opposed to one with white envelopes requesting payments from his already spent self. There are also innumerable amounts of envelopes raining from the sky. Americans aren't given a reprieve or a short break from debt. The bills just keep coming, and some Americans are struggling to pull themselves out of their mountains of debt. Jobless and on the verge of losing their homes, people are still spending to meet their needs. It's never good when more is being spent than is coming in. This method of spending is emblematic of our government spending today.
I have already cut back on my spending for this holiday season, for I am only buying for family this year and close friends if I have enough money. Prices are ridiculous due to inflation and the number of people one buys for doesn’t decrease in number, but the amount of money one has in his possession does. This holiday season, many have been laid off and are looking for a job, and money is tight no matter how parsimonious one is. Prices are up, money is sparse, and yet there are the same people to buy for each year.
As atypical as it is to come across a “white Christmas” in sunny Florida, this year it shouldn’t be a problem.
