After all is said and done, I am putting these two in the same category as so many lottery winners across the world. The story is the same, and sad, case after case. A person who is barely making ends meet day to day takes a few presious dollars and plays the lotto. Surprise and shock, they win. Regardless of the amount they win in their minds, they are set for life and money will never again be an issue. When you read these stories the ending is all to familiar. They wind up broke because they spend like they are Bill Gates and all to soon the money is gone. That's where these two are at. Their sole income was generated by the show and fame resulting from the show. (Kate's book and speaking deals) Then all of a sudden there is trouble in paradise and the money might stop flowing. They realize they can't lead the same lifestyle they have become accustom to and reality sets in. Then it gets ugly, real ugly.
The situation is similar to what I encountered in my own life and what I am sure millions of Americans have encountered and continue to encounter every day. I worked in trading and made good money for a number of years. Then one day the bottom fell out and the great income stopped. I continued to work but the bonuses were not there and the pay was less. The difference between where I am today and where a lot of the people I worked with are is that I never bought the house I could only afford with the higher pay. I continued to drive my eight year old pickup truck. I saved a lot of what I made. I lived a sustainable life style and knew the gravy train could end any day. And it did.
The problem with lottery winners and Jon and Kate is that making a lot of money real quick is no indication that things will continue that way forever. The world we live in changes every day and what was hot last year (Jon and Kate plus 8) becomes and after thought this year.
Lottery winners, and reality show participants should be required to take a class on managing your new found wealth and how to live within your means because you will become yesterday's news really fast.
Jon and Kate missed that class and for that their children will pay as will they.
I honestly don't feel sorry for any of them because there are people and children who suffer every day of their lives because they have no place to live and they don't have enough food, and their parents never won the lotto much less even played it.