You've undoubtedly been reminded that the current economic situation will negatively affect our children and grandchildren, as someone has to be responsible to pay back the enormous debt the government has amassed. Unfortunately, it's not going to wait that long.

The current administration recently approved a 2 percent salary increase for all its federal employees. Members of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the federal government also will get an automatic pay increase in 2010.

Seniors will not be receiving a raise this year or next year or the year after that, if ever again. For the first time in history, the U.S. Congress will not allow a cost-of-living increase to your monthly Social Security check.

Your monthly Medicare insurance premium, however, will be increased from $96.40 in 2009, to $104.20 in 2010 and $120.20 in 2011.

The administration was puzzled by the opposition to its proposal that the military carry private health insurance to cover the estimated $540 million annual cost to the government for treatment of injuries incurred during tours of active duty. And yet, a recent promotional ad involved Air Force One flying precariously low over the Manhattan sky line. On top of the panic this caused the citizens witnessing yet another low flying super jet in New York, our total cost for this debacle was $328,000.

The state of Kansas is suggesting an increase in sales taxes from 5.3 percent to 6.3 percent. Gov. Mark Parkinson's proposal to invest more in the future of Kansas might have been a brave and important demonstration of leadership, but whose money is he using to invest? Kansans are all for improving roads, education, safety, etc. in our fine state, but obviously, much of that money hasn't been allocated to these. Otherwise, we wouldn't be in the fix we are in today. We would all like to invest in hotels in Cancun, and as long as we can use someone else's money to do so, we probably would.

And now we come to the health care bill. Our current government, which is trillions of dollars in debt, with no relief in sight, with billion-dollar bailouts, with a Social Security system that mathematically cannot be around for anyone younger than 40, feels like they can operate a health system better than the people who are doing it now. This is a government that allowed, and even encouraged individuals making $35,000 a year to buy $750,000 houses. And they apparently have not learned from their mistakes, as they continue to give concessions to people that can't afford to buy homes.

When the federal income tax code was established in 1913, it was supposed to be temporary, to help pay off accumulated government debt. As years have gone by, the public has discovered that the tax laws are not temporary and have become a permanent fixture on the economic and financial scene. When the tax laws started, the top marginal tax rate was only 7 percent. Now it is fluctuating between 30 percent and 40 percent.

The reasons for the continuation of income taxes have changed as well. The income tax has become a tool for the redistribution of wealth, through the creation of social programs, enhancement and enlargement of national defense, and much more.

And who is responsible and accountable for paying all of this back? You are, and you will continue to be. It is not just our kids and grandkids. The lack of a cost-of-living adjustment in Social Security is just the tip of the ice berg. Is it our fault the state and federal government are broke? Absolutely not. Are we accountable to bail them out? Absolutely!

Fort Hays State University has recently set a $50 million goal for their endowment fund. This money will be invested, and the interest will be used to sustain and expand the college for years to come. If FHSU simply continued year after year to amass more and more debt, like our U.S. government, how long do you think the school would be in existence?

So what does all this outpouring have to do with a New Year's Revolution ... er, Resolution?

As much as you can, take your lives into your own hands. Pay off your bills. Live within your means and save for the future. (A good rule of thumb would be to live on 90 percent of your income and save 10 percent.)

To depend on the government for your well-being could be a huge mistake. If we all went to sleep for 10 years and woke up to our society, we'd all be appalled. But because it's happening a bit at a time, we are slowly getting cooked, like the frog in boiling water, that didn't know to jump out, because the water heated gradually.

All of a sudden, a $1.8 trillion annual deficit doesn't mean anything. This has nothing to do with Democrats versus Republicans. It is just simply the mindset of our government. We are in extremely troubled times.

* Next month: Financial security in troubled times.

Tim Schumacher represents Strategic Financial Partners in Hays. tschumacher@htk.com