Who knows ?

The Fed Chairman, Ben Bernanke goes to Congress and tells them that they ought to be spending more money.  He thinks that if they open up the flood gates of deficit spending again that the economy will gain some traction and start putting people back to work.   Or is that what he really thinks.  Or is he saying:

Spend more money or we really have a bigger problem. 

Well what could be a bigger problem so say, we will go into austerity mode.  They say that without really understanding what austerity is.  Oh, some would say it is just cutting back, but actually it is doing without.

I have never known true austerity and few Americans have.  But as a child in a family of 9 children, I remember dinner of  English Muffin Pizzas.  One brother likes to tell the story of being pulled aside by mom and being told , there is only enough chicken to feed 6, so don't take any. When the food was scarce--  We all took turns on that rotation, Mom never missed a single rotation. Today we look like we haven't missed many meals.

But in true austerity, there is no chicken at all, there is no heat, there is no work, no vaction, no transportation other than by foot or bike, there is no new clothing or education or job.  Watch Greece, watch Spain---don't take your eye off of them.

The real fear is austerity, for with true austerity the veneer of civilization will be stripped away, even if this is America.  1930s Europe was austere.  That is the fear.

I pray that our Country finds footing , for even though not much scares me the true meaning of austerity gives me pause.