As you know President Obama presented a proposal to deal with the issue of unemployment and overall economic health. Let me begin with this: 2/3 of the economy is consumer spending. Therefore is consumer spending is down, than 66% of the economy is potentially in trouble. So here's a question: is the health of the economy based on overconsumption? Someone made an argument that maybe jobs is not the solution to the economy. To me, though I go back to the stat that 2/3 of the economy is supported through consumer spending.
I am one that believes that the economic mess we are in is finally teaching us to stop spending money that we do not have and be content with what we have. Many believe (and I believe I buy the theory too) that the root of the economic problem is debt and over-using credit. I wonder if the economic crash will cause us to seriously evaluate the economic foundation of our country. We are a country that is capitalist. Is it time to evaluate whether capitalism can survive the next 10-20 years?
In this country everyone is trying to make a decent living. The problem is that in order to get a nice house, nice car and nice stuff one must over-consume just to have some of those things. A big house and nice car represent a psychological edge. Let me make sure I'm clear: I'm not against having a big house and nice car. However I'm anti-consumerism because I believe that many people get in unnecessary credit and debt issues because they want to impress others. What's wrong with living in a paid home that provides basic shelter? What's wrong with driving a car that gets you from point A to point B? This country is all about trying to impress others.
Overall I support democratic principles in regards to the economy, which is one of the main reasons why I support Obama. However I still believe that it may be time for us to look overall at the economic structure of our country. Why should the health of our economy be based mostly on consumer spending? To me, people should be able to have a decent job, pay for their basic needs (shelter, food, clothing, etc) and not have to be in humongous debt. In a time where people are losing their jobs they (via unemployment) should be able to provide needs for their home.
I'm not an expert in economic policy so I cannot provide specific solutions to this economic mess but one thing I can offer is the suggestion that we evaluate the usefulness of credit and consumption. Why? Because it seems like the health of the economy is based on spending as much as possible. Obama is right that through small businesses a lot of the economy is brought back to health. Competition is seen as the best way, yet at the same time people will go through hazards just to be competitive. Every business owner wants your money and (depending on what business it is) consumption will be something you have to fight against.
In conclusion, I'd like to see a society where everyone has a fair chance to have the basics of life (food, shelter, clothing, etc), but in this highly competitive, dog eat dog world, that is very unlikely. If politics is not solving the problem, what will? Our country is so big about the money and individualism that we will do whatever possible to make money even if it involves stepping on others to get it.
As a believer in Jesus, I plead for us to get back to the principle of contentment and wealth as truly understood by scripture. I plead for us not to be so concerned about keeping up with the Joneses but just making sure we have the basic necessities of life. Is it going to take a total collapse of the economy for us to understand what we need to do? I hope not, but the way the mindset of this country operates......i just don't know.
interesting ...
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