“But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy.”                
-- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

You may have seen this news on Tuesday, as that is when Speaker Pelosi uttered what has got to be one of the most insulting things I’ve ever heard a politician say. Basically, what the House leader is saying is -- just trust us, we know what’s best for you when it comes to your own health care. Well, that sounds like a lot of snake oil to me.

Ironically, this comment comes from the Speaker who, just a few weeks ago, was touting the transparency of the political process that actually produced the health-care bill. This is truly frustrating to me, as the issue of health care is something every American needs to know about intimately.

I guess the only lesson here to be learned is that politicians always think they know what’s best for us, but usually it’s really all about what’s best for them. The other, more practical lesson here is that when it comes to your money, nobody knows -- or cares --more about what’s best for you than you do.

Sure, you can get expert advice about how to invest, how to handle your personal finances and how to do your taxes from people like my associates and me. But ultimately, you have to be the one to take control of your own financial destiny.

Unlike the health-care debate and so many other things largely out of your personal control, your finances and the choices you make with them are almost entirely within your control. So, whatever you do, don’t abdicate your responsibility when it comes to your money.

Choose to do the right thing, and choose to take control of your destiny.