Santa hit the Front Porch with a lighter sack than in years past. Kids being kids, they did not seem to notice – as much as Mom and Dad – the sparseness of indulgences relative to their previous Christmas experiences. It helps that Leslie has educated the kids from early on that Santa only brings three presents for each, and they did not care that two of those were shared.
Parents, I think, are more concerned with what Santa will bring the children; children are more concerned that Santa will come. Some candy canes, a DVD in a stocking, a game under the tree and a plate with crumbs where there were cookies and a cup with a sip of milk left are all they need to know Santa was here. Our stress is centered on whether “it is enough,” their stress is centered on “will he really come.”
Santa did not drop any extra cash down the chimneys of our fair City or State. So despite having a couple of weeks off for Christmas and New Year’s, the budget problems persist and those who profess their desire to serve the public will once again have their opportunity at balancing budgets and solving problems. Unless the same epiphany has hit several hundred elected officials during the holidays we can expect the same rhetoric, “solutions” and lack of progress in the coming weeks and months to our public fiscal crises.
While many in City Hall took their accumulated extra vacation days to end 2008, our city sped toward a multi-million dollar budget deficit. Each day the price of oil spends under $40 per barrel we add even more to the deficit. Each home that sells for less than the previous owner paid for the same property we add even more to the deficit. Each time someone buys a Wii on-line or in Orange County to save a few bucks on sales taxes, we add even more to the deficit. Each time a gamer from Mendocino decides he cannot attend the Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament or a salon owner in Dayton decides not to attend her profession’s Expo at the Convention Center, we add a little more to the deficit.
All the little things become big things when you are broke. But it takes fixing the big things to get out of being broke, and prevent being broke again in the future. Too much time and energy is spent by public officials, elected and appointed, arguing over little things for political posturing instead of tackling big things to correct systematic problems.
One big thing that can be tackled is capping benefits to public employees in their contract negotiations. We spend an incredible amount of tax revenue on benefits capped at the final salary of retired public employees rather than on a formula using their time served, average salary and availability of funds to pay the benefits. When times are good pensions are spiked so that when times are bad they become even more burdensome. This is a big thing, it needs to be tackled.
There is some grumbling over the Presidential Inauguration. Some are arguing that given the current economic environment in the country that President-elect Obama should scale down the celebrations and balls. I could not disagree more with this point of view.
Now, as much as at any time in our nation’s history, America needs to celebrate our peaceful transition of power and demonstrate to the world this is how democracy works. We fight, we squabble, we disagree and we vote; and when the votes are counted we install our leaders and celebrate our democratic process. We celebrate a smooth transition of the Executive and Legislative powers in accordance with our rules, our policies and our Constitution. No doubt there will be extra exuberance due to Obama’s race and that for the first time a white male will not be taking the Oath of Office, no doubt that those inflicted with Bush Derangement Syndrome will also be exuberant; regardless of race or politics, however, we should all be celebrating that our nation will witness this significant event.
After saying thirty-five words, the Most Powerful Man on Earth becomes another man, another man becomes the Most Powerful Man on Earth, and we continue our history as the greatest democracy in history. “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Simple, explicit, powerful, these words are worth celebrating regardless of for whom or whether you voted.
Challenges are aplenty for all elected officials. Economic data is challenging economists trying to make sense out of models that are contrary to what they have studied or taught and now is not the time to experiment. Out of the cloud comes our silver lining. We are learning to save as individuals and families through this economic period. While bad news for the economy as a whole since increased savings means decreased spending—which is needed to keep businesses afloat; in the long run increased savings habits are very beneficial for our future. Hopefully our politicians will learn about saving rather than spending as well. Oh, and once again I remind them of the proven outcomes of the Laffer Curve: increase taxes and you will decrease tax revenue, decrease taxes and you will increase tax revenue.
Yes, it was a different Christmas this year. Perhaps it was changes that I have undergone this past year, perhaps it was the stress and pressure of business creeping into personal and family matters, perhaps it was a more universal spirit of indulging in family and relationships to celebrate the season that over came me. Whatever the reason, it was a different Christmas this year, and from my conversations I am not the only one feeling this. Many people have told me it was different and they felt more of a connection to family, friends, community and were more introspective as part of their holiday spirit.
As we enter 2009 it is my wish that this year’s holiday spirit endure through the year. How great to greet someone in February with the same concern, passion and exuberance that we greet them in the days leading to Christmas. How wonderful to be told in May how someone admires something you have done, is thankful for the friendship you bring them or is just pleased to have you in their life. What grace to extend yourself to spend several more moments with your neighbor while delivering some fresh baked cookies to them in September and just inquire how their kids are doing at school or their mother is adjusting to her new home. That is my wish and my challenge, that throughout 2009 I am able to maintain the perspective and appreciation for what I have in my life that I hold now as we close 2008.
Happy New Year! May we be at peace with ourselves and others throughout the year, may we discover new friendships that are meaningful and purposeful, may we rediscover old friendships renewing youthful energy and laughter, may we be thankful for what we have and grateful for who we are. Best wishes for an abundant, peaceful and joyful 2009.
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