>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Got debt? If so, you’re not alone.

In these days of rampant materialism, it seems almost anti-American to oppose wild credit card sprees and intoxicating out-of-control consumerism.

Before you flag-waving, red-meat, true-blue, credit card-flashing Americans start sending hate mail, put on the charge card at 41 cents a letter, hear me out.

America is a nation up to its earholes in debt. As of this writing, each of us owes approximately $31,000. The total, according to the U.S. National Debt Clock Wednesday morning, was a jaw-dropping $9,399,613,902,596.48. And minute by minute, that total goes up.

Much of the debt is to China, and each time the debt gets bigger, we as a country get weaker. The pie-eyed Congress, however, keeps writing bad checks, tossing plastic around like the rapture is coming at 11:59 tonight.

Admittedly, advocating frugality doesn’t win popularity contests — or elections. It’s not everybody’s idea of fun.

But none of the leading presidential candidates — senators all — seem to have a clue how to balance the national checkbook. They just want to raise taxes, or whip out the national credit card, and continue the spending spree.

One big piece in this debt puzzle is the $12 billion a month spent to fight the war in Iraq. Now I’m all for keeping terrorists from tracking mud on American shores. But I wonder if this war has just created more terrorists, and the longer it goes on, the more enemies we will have.

To truly win the war on terror, to put itself on a solid foundation for the 21st century, America must become strong financially. A leaner, meaner, more mobile military is a good place to start. That way, true terrorist linchpins are targeted with precision strikes, and we don’t waste time on third-rate insurgents, hangers-on and wannabes.

I’m not advocating more taxes. I’m advocating less spending, having fun with frugality until the books balance.

Since the financial crisis is so critical, what does Congress do? It gets extremely concerned looks on its faces about professional baseball players possibly using steroids. It also borrows more money to send to taxpayers during an election year to “stimulate the economy” — and help incumbents win re-election.

However, with gas prices rising like spring daffodils, a lot of that money will go into the tank. And polls show what’s left over may go for house payments and other pragmatic purchases, not the fun-at-the-mall stuff on Congress’ wish list.

So of course Congress will kill the “stimulus package,” right? Wrong.

Meanwhile, the country sinks further into a swamp of red ink.

Let’s get off the debt bandwagon. My Grandpa Petersen used the cash method to buy a ranch in the heart of the Great Depression when most people were bailing out.

So in his honor, and as a natural contrarian, I’m now promoting a national program of fun with frugality. Here are a few good ways to start: Drive 55 and see the startled expressions in your rear-view mirror. Accelerate from lights slowly. Wash clothes in cold water. Dry clothes by hanging them on an outdoor line. Turn down the thermostat and wear “comfort clothes” like your favorite No Fear of Frugality sweatshirt.

As many people as possible should get on a cash basis. That way, less money will go to interest on credit card bills and more will go to line your pockets — and eventually those of local businessmen and businesswomen. Yes, you heard right. Local businesspeople would eventually get more of our money if we charge less now.

The short-term pain would be worth the long-term gain.

The important thing is, have fun with frugality. Be creative. Go against the consumptive herd flow.

Think in terms of future abundance, not current scarcity. When you get to the point of buying a car with cash, think of all the extra money padding your wallet or purse each month to have fun at the mall.

Do I think our well-marbled Congress can back away from the trough of debt? Can the money junkies in the federal government break their spending addiction? Unlikely. But just because our leaders are undermining America’s strength doesn’t mean that each of us as true-blue, red-meat Americans can’t do our frugal best to make our country strong.

Do it for yourself. If nothing else, eventually you’ll have more money to purchase flags.

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