8 June 2009

We don't want to call it fiscal conservatism; fiscal conservatism has assumed political boogey man dimensions beyond immagination.  Fiscal conservatives are brutal, hateful and masochistic.  No, no, no, we don't want that.

So is fiscal responsibility better?  What is it about ensuring that we can afford what we spend that is unacceptable?  Has the credit card debt challenge not had any effect?  Has California's problems meant nothing?  What is it about spending what we cannot afford that can possibly be deemed acceptable?

Sure, borrowing is necessary in business where there is no revenue until there is something to sell; so from whence comes the funding to make what must be sold to gain revenue?  Nor is the concept of risk and return alien to our consciousness - gamble and you are on your own; win big or lose big.  But only what you can afford.

The time has come - probably it has even passed us by, but forever?  Perhaps not; hopefully not.

The time to reach (grasp desperately perhaps) for fiscal responsibility is here; maybe its last chance.  We really need to resuscitate that old arcane and reviled concept - responsibiltity.  We really do, and at all levels, quickly.