Bailouts, better get a bigger bucket

With the economy in rather bad shape, our leaders in Washington are throwing lifelines to struggling industries. The Financial sector has $700 billion dollars to keep them afloat, GM and Chrysler have received loans, and there is another $800 billion in the works for government spending on projects and tax relief. When will it end?
Companies have been forced by stockholders to make more money. If you do not perform, out with the management and in with some that will make money. Bonuses based on company performance is an incentive to take risks. Somewhere in the greed for money and to get rich in three to five years, people lost sight of reason. I'm talking from corporate presidents to homeowners.
Growing up in the middle of the baby boomers, living within one's means was the standard. I can count on one hand the new cars my parents purchased. There was one television, two phones, and no designer labels. Credit cards were used as needed and paid off quickly. Houses had one mortgage, and it remained there until the house was sold or it was paid off. Refinancing? what is that? The value a home increased meant a nice one the next time.
Today it seems that every family member needs a phone, a television in their room, a car when they get their license, and maybe their own credit card. No wonder both parents have to work these days. With most of the niceties provided during their childhoods, what is going to happen when the real world strikes and they move out on their own?
Besides industries and homeowners, local governments are in trouble. Living in south Florida, I have problems understanding why. With limited land available for building, new homes are mainly restricted to in fill or new condo towers. Okay there have been six of those built in the past seven years I have lived here, but that is a small percentage of the homes in Broward county. The value of real estate has climbed at dizzying rates lately, but unless I am wrong, if a house was worth $75,000 in 1995, and it is now worth $750,000, does it take 10 extra people to send out the tax bill? does adding the extra '0' necessitate more staff?
Maybe the population needs to step back and realize what is needed for a nice life, and what is perceived as one. There are stories in the news where with cutbacks, families are spending more time together. Meals are at home, entertainment is playing games or watching a movie. Is this a bad thing? Could this lead to parents actually knowing where their children are and what they are doing?
If part of the bailout was the loss of your job, try job.travel. Most careers are part of the travel and hospitality industry. The opportunities are there across teh country, and jobs in travel and hospitality usually include perks. Sometimes free meals and cheap or discounted hotel stays.