My mother could have handled things better. You have X dollars in the check book and X dollars is all you have to spend. Simple. Why can't government do it? Easy answer: they are more concerned about power and their own cushy lifestyle than they are about the country. We, the Little People, pay for all of it.
Meanwhile, back on the farm, the animals are quiet but they will be feisty when the country folk start the fireworks. I will take Goliath out with me at midnight to listen and to watch the flares over the trees. He can bay at the moon if he wants to. That's our version of dropping the ball on Times Square.
Wherever you are tonight, be safe and please, please don't drive if you've been drinking. You don't want to possibly hurt someone else, or yourself, and you sure don't want to spend the night in the local "drunk tank". Take care.