Tuesday, February 17, 2009

I Suppose I'm the Devil Now...

You see, I'm a banker. And we're somehow responsible for all the ills of the world. Credit cards going up? Yup, my fault. Foreclosure? OK, that would be me. Rates (too high or too low)? Uh huh, my bad. Trips? Yeah, whatever.

Well, I'm done with all that.

I just got insulted by someone on a sewing chat site. When I called her out on it, she said she meant the Fat Cats, not the people at the teller line or managing the branch. Well dear, your idea of a Fat Cat and someone else's may not be the same. I'm not a teller nor do I manage a branch (both jobs are in my personal category of you couldn't pay me enough...). However, I do hold a managerial position. I dunno, maybe that would make some of you consider me a Fat Cat. If so, you may leave my blog forever and delete my name from your feeds.

The same person also told me that many more people agreed with her, and that she knew what she was talking about because her Senator (whoever that is!) and the Wall Street Journal* tell her so. Well, I guess that makes it ok, right?

I'm so sick of the mob mentality that seems to be prevalent today. Too many people think they should sound like a pundit at all times for any reason. I tell you, I'm sick to death of ideology and blather. Shut up and stop pissing and moaning. Please, I beg you. I'm tired of hearing a bunch of chatter that solves nothing. We're all good at complaining, but no one seems compelled to actually do anything to fix it.

I believe there's plenty of blame to go around. It may make you feel better to demonize an industry--take your pick!! If banking doesn't suit you, then try real estate, automotive, or even food processing! Or pick something else--that favorite whipping boy, the government. Or Octomom. Blame all you want, but it doesn't actually solve anything, does it?

But remember, as the old comic strip Pogo used to say "we have met the enemy, and he is us." It was true then, and it's true now.

*Please note, I have no personal beef with the Wall Street Journal. I read it every day. But it's not the fount of all financial knowledge. You still need to interpret what you read there.

19 comments:

Vicki W said...

AMEN!! We have lost all send of perspective and any personal responsibility. We are in the mes we are in because people lived beyond their means. PERIOD. What's worse than a banker? Someone in insurance - that would be ME!

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

ROTFLOL! Nan this is too funny because you know that it's all the bankers faults...not people who overspent...not people who bought houses, cars, etc. that they couldn't afford...not people who did't read the fine print on a mortgage application...JUST THE BANKERS! Geeze...you would think that Congress and Bush went on vacation and had nothing to do with it either!

And I hope you used some really big "Banker" words when you told her off! *LOL*

ACorgiHouse said...

Another one chiming in here with an "I'm sick of the me-too bandwagon." If the people who spent so much time complaining turned that energy toward solving the problems (or working to pay those debts they should not have incurred...) we wouldn't have the headlines we do. You should see my face when people start the health care cr*p! Total apoplexy. K

Little Hunting Creek said...

Someone was rude enough to insult you on a sewing chat site? As my mom would say, there's never an excuse for bad manners. I'm in the travel business and we are laying off people right and left because no one is traveling. Let's all hope the worst is over and things get better soon.

Claire S. said...

People will always have someone (meaning 'someone else') to blame.

When DH & I were looking for a house, the bank preapproved us for more than twice what we could afford. If we had bought that much house and lost it, it would have been our own fault ! We crunched our own numbers and bought within our means.

At my first real job in the late 80's when interest rates were still high, a co-worker and her spouse bought above their means and within a year, the interest rates went up and they lost their home.

Lesson learned well - our decisions are OUR responsibility - no one elses.

CrazyKwilter said...

I am so sick of hearing everyone blame the Bush administration for the mortgage fiasco when the real culprit behind it is Barney Frank and his letting loose Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac during the Clinton years. and lookie here who is in charge of "fixing" the mess. It's none other than Barney Frank.

So many people believe whatever pap the media spoonfeeds them

Unknown said...

I think people are very willing to criticize groups ("those evil bankers") but they always think that group isn't made up of anyone they know or like. It's a weird phenomenon.

Bonnie O. said...

Stupid people are a pet peeve of mine. Rude stupid people push me over the edge! I ride the bus to/from work and it is hilarious to listen to people's conversation and their "theories" on what is wrong with the world.

Pam Erny said...

Good Golly.... first...how inappropriate for that person to be discussing such matters on a sewing site. Second..how rude to single you out.

Third...rude stupid people abound, always have, always will.

I take comfort that we can create beautiful things in our sewing studios and deflect such slings and arrows for a time....

Pam ~Off The Cuff~

Mardel said...

Great post and I am sorry about that little "chat site" episode.

Generally I'll echo Carolyn's sentiments. There is no one person or group at fault, including the government and we really all need to stop chatting and bitching and moaning and just fix it, and I'm sorry, but we all need to just "suck up and deal". And stop all the energy wasted on useless blather.

MarilynB said...

I agree with everyone here. The blame for the financial mess in this country is due to a lot of greedy people at all ends of business, government and individually. Credit became much too easy to get and many wanted to live in luxury with possessions they really could not afford or did not need. Business and people just were not accountable for themselves and they expected the government to solve the situation. But government was part of the problem and lobbyists were much too influential.

The system needs to be totally overhauled. I have a high credit score, but it could be higher if I would incur some debt. Go figure!

Cennetta said...

My goodness. Too bad your accuser has such poor vision of the state of the economy and who's at fault. They really should be having fun talking about "sewing" on a "sewing forum". Go figure.

Anonymous said...

All I can say about your post is RIGHT ON!

JuliaB said...

oh dear! I thought sewing forums and craft blogs were about the things we like to do when we're not at work. I shan't be deleting my feed to your blog, or calling you names! Promise!! I don't believe in scapegoats. Everyone has responsibility and too many people shirk it. x

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, I don't go to sewing boards very often any more but I did chase this "incident" down. Sorry you went through this. I guess it sums up why I don't do boards any more.

PS: You couldn't be a devil!!! No way!

Nancy said...

it's nice to mingle with thoughts and musings about the financial crisis that is going to be around for awhile and which everyone has a responsibility in all kinds of different ways, and then to join in unison with a passion for sewing!

Raesha D said...

Holy cow! I'm speechless for once. That is just plain RUDE!

Gorgeous Things said...

I saw that, and I was appalled at the accusations that person was using. I gave you a cheer when you told her off. Fat cats my a**. You go girl!

And I LOVED this:
"Shut up and stop pissing and moaning. Please, I beg you. I'm tired of hearing a bunch of chatter that solves nothing. We're all good at complaining, but no one seems compelled to actually do anything to fix it."

I have to tell you, there are so many situations where I want to shake people and say that to them! And not the hate mongers on talk radio, and not just about the state of the economy. But about things folks can actually affect. Stop talking and DO something about it!

Can you tell you hit a nerve? :)

Anonymous said...

If I could type better right now I would say more, but I support you.