A caller to a financial talk show recently asked the host for advice on how to negotiate a settlement with credit card companies so he could wipe out his debt without having to pay in full. At first I thought the caller must be in a dire financial situation – perhaps preparing to declare bankruptcy.
But as the conversation went on, the young man said he is a college student and that he is expecting $4,300 in a tax refund and that his card debt totals $4,500. That’s when I nearly ran off the road in disgust and anger. This man simply doesn’t want — and clearly doesn’t intend — to pay for the products and services he has received. And when he skips out on his obligations, those of us who abide by our contracts will pay for his irresponsibility.
When did Americans decide this lack of integrity and character is OK? When did we decide we’re entitled to anything we want and that someone else should pay for it?
