Government spending

I read an article in the paper the other day that the only people spending any money is the government. That saving has now gone from 0 to 5% for most households. This according to the financial experts is a bad thing. Now I actually see that as a sign of progress. I was sitting with a doctor the other day who was talking to me about wanting to help people because the economy is so bad and people are living in tents. How awesome is that? Now I don't know anything about world finance, but it seems to me there wouldn't be any harm in the government learning to stop spending like the rest of us have had to do. What would be so terrible about saying we just cannot afford nasa right now? There was a different article in the paper yesterday about how the strong dollar hurts other countries. What gives us the right to do that? Many are trying to figure out how to get us to start spending again. Are you kidding me? With unemployment at an all time high they want us to go shopping? Maybe I'm crazy but I just don't get it? In fact I went out today to get a dvd player because mine isn't working anymore, and I use it for some of the teaching I do with Eli. Guess what? I went to Target and they are out of them, at least the ones I can afford anyway. I asked at the counter and was told they hadn't had a shipment in quite a while. Now how are we supposed to go shopping if products aren't even being made? Personally I'm really encouraged to see people saving. "The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets." (Proverbs 21:21) What if Joseph hadn't saved for 7 years? There is always a time of famine for everyone, and no one is immune. The Madoff case is a perfect example. Look how many got caught up in trying to build even more wealth than they already had to the point that they have now lost everything. Whatever happened to not putting all your eggs in one basket? "Steady plodding brings prosperity, hasty speculation brings poverty." (Proverbs 21:5) So I think saving is a good thing. We need it for emergencies, for future spending like clothes, college, or a car, and for long term savings for funding long term goals like retirement. So I hope for everyone that if they are not saving now they start a savings fund because I doubt we have seen what rock bottom looks like yet.