Not greatest generation's fault

I am a boomer and darned proud of it. I was raised to be responsible, have a good work ethic and live within my means. As a single mom, I raised two sons, sometimes having two and three jobs because their father was undependable when it came to the child support. At first I lived in a mobile home, because it was all I could afford. As finances improved, I bought a small starter house that I could afford. When I remarried and needed a larger home, we bought what we could afford, which allowed us to pay more than required and was paid off early.

This economic mess started in the late 1970s when government deemed everyone should own a home. Banks were forced to lend to people who had questionable credit ratings or no satisfactory proof of income. Add to that corporate greed as mortgage corporations had to show a profit to their stockholders. Legislators turned a blind eye in the regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac because of political action payments.

Further, as a small-business owner, I resent the fact that the government seemingly wants to tax me more so that others can sit on their duffs. That only takes away my incentive to grow my business and doesn't give the welfare recipients any incentive to get off their duffs.

Even a child knows not to lend a dollar if it won't be paid back. Greatest generation's fault? I don't think so.

SANDI HEIDORN, Jackson