Kicking the Can down the Road

By this time next week, we will know whether or not Congress and the President have reached an agreement to raise the U.S. debt ceiling. One government policy expert gives it a 50/50 chance. My opinion: the debt will be raised. In the parlance of our president, we will kick the can down the road for the next generation to deal with. Why do I think that? Because it is human nature to do so.  We have become skilled procrastinators, expert evaders.  We distract ourselves with present prosperity, pastimes, and pleasures. ‘I’ll deal with this someday,’ we say, ‘but not today.’

One of the better kings of Judah, Hezekiah, is famous for such folly. After proving poor judgment by showing off all his treasures to wily Babylonian emissaries (whose armies would later return to pillage the nation’s riches), the prophet Isaiah reprimanded him, 'The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left,' says the LORD. 'Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon's king. Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the LORD is good." For the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime." (Isa 39:6-8) And thus, Hezekiah was content to kick the can down the road.