I'm rather enjoying seeing the arrows flying back and forth since the Obama administration unleashed, I mean released, its budget package last Thursday.

I, for one, am happy to see green energy and healthcare as priorities that might actually receive adequate funding and serve our society much more effectively than past initiatives have.

And, I'm equally disturbed and dismayed at the notionof rewarding bad judgement and bad behavior. Where do we draw the line between what's really for the common good and preventing people from feeling impact of their poor decisions?

It's not an easy question to answer. 

I'm most struck by the colossal combination of ignorance, greed and the absolutely foolish notion that a market for anything will only always go up!

The worst thing we can do now is belly ache, stomp our feet, and not begin to take care of the big financial mess. The second worst thing we could do is to allow ourselves to be adversely affected by all the gloom and doom reporting, crtitiquing and politicking.

That said, there has got to be some fair ways of holding the principle people in financial services, other industries and our illustrious government accountable for the mess they've created. I don't know - what about a massive volunteer public works program where the CEOs of every major US bank are required to put in 4,000 hours or more of service? I definitely think they ought to spend the next couple of years rebuilding what they've torn down. Your thoughts?

Meanwhile, back at our own ranch...Put your energy into cultivating sound judgement and adding value for others. Many people I know and work with are starting new businesses now. Yes, they are acting soundly, bravely and deliberately.

So, don't stick your head the sand and continue to quake in your boots. Assess where you are - in your life and with your money - and make your plan. Don't let the current bad news and bickering get you down. These will eventually go away. 

I plan to write much more about the character traits we must as a people begin to re-cultivate.  I'll be profiling a number of people who are amazing - for who they are, what they believe, and how they're doing good things. Come back often here to the 10 minute investing blog for a dose of inspiration and practical advice.