The next time you hear a politician use the word billion in a casual manner, think about this:

• A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
• A billion minutes ago Jesus was walking the earth.
• A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.
• A billion days ago no one walked on the earth on two feet.
• A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes – at the rate the United States government is spending it.

Something to think about as we begin a New Year…