SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Our priorities are all wrong

Apr 21, 2016, 3:05 PM

Did you hear that half of American households have an Amazon Prime Account? It’s a brilliant business model for the company because you’re just sending Amazon money every month.

But at the same time as that press release came out, there was a report that 62% of Americans have under $1,000 in savings. And the numbers get even more disturbing when you dig down. 21% of Americans do not even have a savings account.

Which of these statistics got more play in the media?

This is a direct result of people believing that they are going to be taken care of. That someone will swoop in and help them when they need it; that there is a hero on the way. It comes from being raised in a country where you’re told there will always be a safety net.

We keep hearing that the economy is getting better. If so, how could 62% of Americans not have any real savings?

Our problems are not just political. Our problems stem from being taught that the grandaddy of government will always be there to save you.

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Our priorities are all wrong