Driving Forces: Economics
We are experiencing an extreme recession described by many as the Great World Recession. While US government officials opine that its now over and with the help of the congressional stimulus package we’re beginning to claw and climb our way back towards prosperity, others believe we’re still falling and that by the time it’s really over this worldwide downturn will be every bit as bad as the 1929 to 1941 era of The Great Depression.
What have we learned from this – if anything? Historians tell us it appears the causes of this recession are almost identical to the 1929 collapse. So if we didn’t learn from that catastrophe what can we expect to know now?
For one thing I hope we’ve learned that everything can’t be left to the will and way of the free market economy; regulations that protect us from ourselves are necessary. Second, I hope we’ve learned that the quality in life is far more important and has more value than quantity has in life. Third, I hope we’ve learned that bigger in America is not necessarily better. In today’s post crash economic setting, it’s the small mom and pop businesses of this nation that are keeping us afloat – not big business.
This recession has also proven that we’ve created a tax basis that hasn’t worked either; especially at local and state levels where critically important programs are necessary for health, education and public welfare. Consequently, as a nation of states each of the 55 jurisdictions is caught-up having to actually pull itself out of an even deeper hole.
There are ways to insure this never happens again. To protect our futures we must build a new economy based upon producing what is needed to serve ourselves and others rather than creating an economy based solely on the value of money; where money is made making money available to others. In addition to creating something of value we have to be innovative, making something new that is of value to ourselves and to others. Anyone can make something we already have cheaper, but only the innovative can find new ways to make things better.
Lastly, in rebuilding the economy let’s build it green and make it sustainable. If we don’t improve life on this planet, we’ll lose it entirely.
Please provide us with your thoughts – and we’ll respond. We’ll also connect you with others so you can learn how they think also!