Save Not Spend

To whom it may concern,

The focus of the economic recovery efforts have been on restoring credit and spending levels. This strategy seeks to revive the same economic policies that just imploded. What I have failed to see from this administration is a real vision for our economic future, other than investing in energy, education, and health care. I think all of these things are certainly a part of a new economy, but they are about developing new economic sectors, not how we do business. The government needs to foster a new economic behavior. Government programs and policies should be encouraging individuals to do the same thing that the Treasury Secretary just proposed; A plan to increase capital requirements for large financial instructions. We should be focusing incentives on savings and checking accounts, while limiting lines of credit. Why not value consumer savings over consumer spending? It is this over-leveraging of credit and debt without capital requirements that will only lead to more trouble in the future. How will this administration encourage the economic responsibility of individuals?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP