Okay already. It's a bad economy.
01/10/2009

I think it goes without saying that our country is going through a rough economic time. Unfortunately, the media is compelled to talk about it non-stop every day. While I believe that what we are experiencing is the reality of reaping what we sew, there's no reason to be reminded of it every time you turn on the radio or tv, pick up a newspaper or check the headlines on your favorite internet portal...

I know a lot of people that go to work who are scared out of their minds that something terrible is going to happen to their job. Now, I am a resident of Michigan so there is always the reality of the automotive industry's influence over certain jobs (and by certain, I mean hundreds of thousands of positions) throughout every community in the state. That being said, it's also a reality that they have responded poorly to market conditions and now Uncle Sam has to flip the bill for their lack of insight. But we've already heard alllll about that. Let's look this from a different angle.

Unemployment: The US population in 1980, the last time we began a major economic down-turn in this country, was 226,545,805. The unemployment rate was 7.5% or roughly 17 million people. That's a ton of people not working! However, we have to factor in the absolutely lowest possible unemployment rate that this country can achieve: around 2.7% (about 6 million). Those are people who don't want to or can't work... period. There will never be a 0% unemployment rate - it is impossible. Even in the 'mighty 90's' our unemployed barely dipped below 4% (with a population of about 271,645,214 that's about 10 million people) and businesses were scrambling to find workers! There were help wanted signs EVERYWHERE!!! People are losing their jobs, but we're not as bad off as they would like us to believe. We'd need to hit 10% or greater to match the devistating affects of the mid-80's.

Roughest Industry: It's obvious that the auto industry is the crown jewel of the economic troubles we have going on right now. Thank you Big Three! However, let's consider the REST of our economy for a moment. We've been moving away from a manufacturing environment for decades. The Big Three were riding the last wave - at our expense - and they've finally hit the shore. Honda, Toyota, Hyundai - the've finally caught up and are beating our favorite auto makers into the dirt with better quality, more features and warranties that don't cut into 50 years of paying medical insurance and pensions for all of our union friends. Yep - I think it's time the UAW stepped up to the plate... and they will have to in order to keep those jobs. By the way, how's the restaurant industry boys? Those new dues making up for all those 80K/year auto worker jobs you're trying to replace? I'd like to say that they are on to something with these new 'green' cars. So, let's just support our American friends who work at ALL the dealerships in this country... not just the Big Three. They feed their families, pay taxes and support our economy just like the rest of us. And let's face it - American cars are produced in Canada, Mexico, Japan AND the United States... just like the rest of them.

Banking and Financial: I don't really even want to talk about these clowns. All I have to say is Adjustable Rate Mortgages and mortgage-backed securities. Dumb asses. But let's not bask in that black-holed sun forever! We've given them nearly a billion dollars (and it will likely be a billion after all the junkets and jets are purchased). Let's give that some time work media people! Credit lines are already being thawed out for large corporations and that means that us little people will be able to obtain and max out our Best Buy credit cards again! AAAaaand, that empty house next door is selling for a great bargain and the new mortgages... wow! 5.15%. That's almost good enough to - even though I have to mow the lawn so it doesn't look like a dump. I'm all about neighbors helping neighbors - even if they don't live there any more.

Some see the glass half empty - I'm all about it being full of optimism. Leading economic indicators are showing that we've hit the bottom and are skidding along. Unfortunately, we as consumers aren't going to go out and buy anything until the NEWS stops telling us that if we do, we'll explode in a ball of flame. Treat yourself to that new pair of shoes (Made in China) or the new television set from WalMart (Made in China) or your new kitchen pans (Designed in Germany... Made in China). Stimulate the economy by getting your very own laptop (Made in China) and logging on to your favorite website (Hosted in India, programmed in Korea and maintained by a group of techies floating on some ship in the middle of the Pacific) and buy something that will make you feel better. OR, you could REALLY stimulate the American Economy by getting a massage, a haircut, your lawn mowed, driveway plowed, dog groomed, shoes shined, laundry pressed, cable tv installed, a new gym membership and all the other really important things that we do as Americans.

Let's face it. The party train has reached its destination. Let's step off and face the fact: We don't live in the same world we did 15 years ago. Let the Baby-Boomers retire and let's reclaim our nation - hopefully as a democracy. Let those who choose a path of greed and corruption get whats coming to them and those of us who are willing to work a little harder, make choices that not only affect the here and now but also the future. Responsibility for the mess we are in rests in all of our hands. It took a nation to put us where we are today - if you want to change it, for God's sake VOTE.