Woe is the Economy

You can't turn on the news without hearing the word "economy" at least a dozen times. "Because of the economy" is the most popular excuse these days; a rightful excuse indeed. Our savior, err, um, I mean, our beloved president has just passed a 800 billion dollar stimulus. Our country will never recover, "change we can believe in" is a change for the worst. We are borrowing money we don't have.

America used to be a production nation. We exported more than we imported and "made in America" was more common than "made in China". Nowadays, however, I would wager that 90% of what we own is produced somewhere else. This has killed us. Big companies like TrashMart...er...Walmart have driven out locally own, locally produced businesses and products. We've sold our children's future for a cheaper price/cheaper product.

This country is too set up on "credit". Want to own a home? Well, you have to get your credit score up! Get a credit card as early as you can. Don't have good enough credit? That's ok, I'll sell you a home on a variable interest rate, and in two years, you won't be able to afford food! How fun! Did your car break down? If you can't afford to buy one, let's look at your credit. Borrow, borrow, borrow, and pray that you don't lose your job or get sick! This whole mess makes me sick. When did owning a home, errr um, a mortgage increase one's worth? Being debt-free should be more valuable.

This country values debt and until we change directions, no amount of stimulus is going to change that.

There are people in my life who can pay cash for everything (including their 5 bedroom house). They earned their money through years of hard work, savings, and a little luck. We need to return to that standard. It's a harsh lesson for the typical American consumer but so is this downturn economy.