In last night’s state of the union address, the president spoke about many political topics, none of which are of interest to me in today’s post. Instead, I want to make a simple clarificaton based on one little comment he made as he was transitioning from how the Government was going to spend all of our money, to how we were going to pay it all back. Here is the quote:

“Now, I know that some in my own party will argue that we can’t address the deficit or freeze government spending when so many are still hurting. And I agree — which is why this freeze won’t take effect until next year — when the economy is stronger. That’s how budgeting works.”

Since the President, numerous times, likened what the government will do with its budget to what we struggling Americans are doing between paychecks – he hits my turf and I want to make at least one important point.

The budgeting that the President was talking about would sound like this if we actually put it in terms of the average American’s budget and spending choices.

You’re down and hurting, you are un(or under)employed, you need to compete and need a better platform (education, zip code, professional associations) to succeed. And to add to your messed up life – you don’t have any money right now either. But . . . now is NOT the time to do a budget – next year – next year you will be making more money (we hope) and THEN you should stop spending money you don’t actually have.

TODAY, you need to go buy a new suit, and some cuff links, and a new car. You should also get that teeth whitening treatment your wife keeps telling you about. How about a new computer and a flat screen television. These are items you will need in order to put your best foot forward. You should not let your employed neighbors have a nicer TV than you – it would be bad for your self esteem and this will hurt you going into next year when you will (we hope) be making more money.

SO, DO NOT STOP SPENDING YET. Now is not the time. Stop spending so much money AFTER you get a bigger paycheck. That will be a better time – After all:

“That’s how Budgeting works”

So go ahead and spend money you don’t have Washington. We americans are doing the same thing. In fact, I think thats exactly what got us all into this mess in the first place.

For a full copy of the speech – click here:

http://www.nytimes.com/glogin?URI=http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/28/us/politics/AP-US-Obama-State-of-the-Union-Text.html&OQ=_rQ3D2Q26pagewantedQ3D1&OP=6ef4d092Q2FWo!EWcyPkfyyrMWFQ7ByVleV!WMZ)ZWZ)WMQ24WJkWQ7BylerePkWTuq5Q23qQ3CEFjFqQ23rFr!qyNqrD!q5VeyVqQ3D!Q5DrnDrjl