Has The American Economy Failed Us?

Just back from a whirlwind examination of the cracks and crevices of the national economy and here are some of the observations that stuck in my mind. Has the American Economy failed us?Their seems to be an obsession by a good many of us with the prices of fuel at the pump. It seems that many of us have gotten use to paying several dollars a gallon, as if, $3 and $4 a gallon of gasoline is as natural as the air we breathe. Is it? Shucks, I walk many places that I go to and while it takes me longer to get places, I plan ahead by starting out early and give my self adequate time to cool down or recover from the walk. Oil prices will continue to taunt the psyche of Americans, even though our fuel prices are still cheaper than many whom we share this planet with.


SUV and truck manufacturers continue to deceive the public with their inflated miles per gallon claims. Its no wonder that if you wanted to buy one of those really big suvs or trucks, you could get them at terrific price. The car and truck dealerships are overstocked with poor fuel mileage vehicles and their "floor plans (payments to the manufacturer of the vehicle, until the vehicle is sold)" are coming due. There is going to be some panic in suv and truck industry for sure. I can't tell you how many gas guzzling vehicles pass me each day, driving, bicycling, jogging, walking, just to find myself right next to them sometimes at the same intersection waiting for the traffic light to change. So much fuel expenditure just to have a few minutes of an early arrival at the next traffic signal.


I had to stop at the bank the other day, and before I could even sit down, the bank rep was trying to sell me on the idea of applying for yet another account, when he hadn't even heard my concerns about my first account and why I was even there in the first place. I haven't opened a new account in quite sometime, primarily because I like to keep things manageable. This bank by the way, is one of the most conservative banks around and surprisingly, a few years ago, they gave me a hard time when I wanted to open an account with them, because of their high regard in the financial community, and now, I could have them eating out of my hand. That's not who I am or what I'm about, so I'll pass on their offer to open a new account with them.


At present time the banks for the most part are back to their "button-down shirt" ways again. They are starting to act like bankers again, especially with consumers. Try getting a loan lately? Well, they are stinger than they have to be and unforgiving if you are late on any payments or accounts now. We all know that the banks have tighten their criteria for many accounts, loans and services, as if, they can afford to be more choosier now, after the whole mortgage debacle. Have you tried to get your Congressman or Congresswoman to bail you out of any mess you've gotten into lately? Shucks, I'd be surprised at the number of Americans who even know who their Congressman or Congresswoman is. Most of us are focused on today and if we have the energy, we'll pay attention to tomorrow, when it gets here.


It's hard to accept the fact that maybe, just maybe, that's how our elected officials want it for the citizenry. To be so caught up in whatever it is that we do, that we don't have time to pay attention to the issues. What are the issues? The issues vary according to individual concerns, needs and wants, and they can be different for each one of us, depending on how we feel about life and our place in America. So, because their has to be a public conversation on whatever we collectively as a Nation, decide on what's "common" to us all, the bickering and complaining will continue and it will be business as usual in Washington.


The banking sector is just one of many sectors effected by credit losses and but one symptom of an ailing economy. Home values has gone South for more than a few and many mortgage holders find themselves owing more on their home than its worth. Getting through today occupies the consciousness of a large segment of the American population, as worries of their jobs being there for them tomorrow, or this time next year, only adds to their uncertainty. Realizing that the tensions in the workplace has been palpable for the majority, knowing we aren't alone in our struggle just to get by, is our bit of "employed nationalism." They are serving America, simply by the act that they are still employed, unlike so many who are unemployed and unemployed for so long, that not even the government census takers are interested in them.


For those who have been downsized, laid off or worked themselves right out of a job, there is hope. Surviving long enough for hope to take hold is not only work, but hard work sometimes, when every effort you try only leads to failure. Failure is the best teacher and humility, a good instructor, but life is the greatest trainer. Have you ever failed so many times that your friends and family start thinking that you're obsessed with failure, not understanding that success exist because of failure? Without failure, how can we know success, and without success, how could we have known that we failed!

The cost of energy is surely on most of our minds, be it gas or diesel for our vehicles, electricity to keep us cool in the summer or heating oil to keep us warm in the winter. The price we pay today, may be cheaper than tomorrow, but it's sometimes hard to accept the harsh reality that we do have some control over what we spend on our energy costs. I'm out of the house when it is hottest during the summer and I am out of the house when it is the coldest during the winter months. Where exactly am I? Well, there is always market research. You know to see what folks are spending their hard earned monies on.


It's important to know what people are spending their money on, because it helps us to understand consumer demand. Generally, whatever is in demand, is also probably going to go up in price, or at least their is going to be some competition for the item, at least in the short term. If, you knew what people were buying, don't you think that there would be an opportunity to sell them some of what they are buying, or at least, align yourself with an affiliate program of the company, selling that very item?


If, you could know in advance what people wanted, wouldn't there be a window of opportunity for those wise enough to try to fulfill the want of those willing to depart some of their hard earned money for? Well, I'm always looking to fulfill the needs of those willing to spend to get what they want and you should be willing too! The first challenge, which is really not a challenge once its executed and that is to ask people what they want. If you did this one person at a time, it might take awhile to find out and understand what people want Thank goodness the Internet makes this process easier. Its important to know what people want if you intend to sell or provide your services to others.


Once you've established what people want, your next step is to find a way to give them what they want, leaving a fair margin for your time and services. Try to stay within the confines of things that you are personally interested in, otherwise you may find yourself making a living doing something in which you have no passion for, but it pays the bills. Think of it like this, if I may? If, money were no object, list five things that you would spend your time on throughout the course of the week, even if, you weren't getting paid for it. You're doing those five things, simply because you have an interest in them and you would do it, if , time allowed, money allowed, family allowed, you can fill in the blanks here.


Now, take one, two or three of those five things and find people who are looking for those one, two or three things and find a way to fulfill their needs. It may take some research and time on your part, but in the long run, it will be research and time, well spent. There is no greater feeling than satisfying your innermost dream, and that is to stand on your own ambitions while giving the people what they want. We may not have total control over our destiny, but we are still the captains of our lives. Energy prices will be whatever demand, supply and externalities (things that we can only faintly predict) state them to be. So, I restate the question and feel free to leave your comments. Has the American economy failed us? Our best defense against the rising cost of living is simply to do things that add to our bottom line or add value to our lives, and that of our family. Without family, none of this makes any sense, so for those of you with a family, thank them for their support each day, because any day above ground, is a great day! Until next time, savour life.


"Some say too broke to pay attention, well I say, the reason I'm broke is because I wasn't paying attention."
Curthom

America & Its Leaning Pedestal

America, held on a pedestal by many in the world as the one place, whereby, if you are starting fresh with absolutely nothing, in time with some hard work and persistence, you can get what you need and if your are willing to work even harder than the next person, over time still, you'll get what you want.

What happens when you take this premise of America and you apply it to the Internet? Will you get what you need ? Will you get what you want. What would happen if we replaced working harder with working smarter? Well, it's questions like these that would have you thinking like a Entrepreneur and that's the first step in making a living online and that is to change your thinking, and in time you will note that your actions towards things change also. If, you invest in yourself everyday, be it learning how to add value to that which you cherish, in time you will harvest the abundance of your net worth. Try to learn something new, if not everyday, at least once a week and share it with others. They will appreciate it and you will feel good about having to share, because there is enough abundance for everyone. Let the journey begin with each post and with each comment and with each question.

America, love or hate it, you have to respect the fact that it has one of the most robust markets of all markets in the world. While there are many countries whose growth rates in manufacturing is greater, than the U.S., few of them have a seamless transaction market where goods and services are exchanged with few problems arising. After all, America is an economic model that pride itself on Capitalism, where things are provided for the benefit of the consumer, which begs the question, what is the lifeblood of a capitalist society? If, you answered that the lifeblood of a capitalist society is consumption, you "hit the nail right on the head." If it weren't for those willing to provide the goods and services, they would be little to consume and America, would be what it is to so many. So, if the Internet makes it easy for everyone anywhere in the world to participate in this consumption, or in this providing of goods and services. The question comes to mind, Is the Internet a capitalist medium? Feel free to lend your comments.