Last updated on September 10th, 2014 at 10:45 am
Well it turns out that this is the response I hear from most people if and when the topic of conversation turns to the economy.. and almost NONE of the people I’ve spoken to at local networking, chamber of commerce and other gatherings have a single clue how to help.
Would you like to know how you can help the economy? Even just a little?
Please say you do….
If you don’t know, or don’t want to know, it’s my guess that you have stopped reading by now – and you’re going to remain part of the problem – so, adios muchachos (or muchachas) – you’re probably learning both spanish and cantonese – or will be very shortly.
Those of you who read this far – Why thank you… I am so encouraged that you at least WANT to do something, or learn how to help the situation, even if it’s just in your own little way (it’s all that any of us can do).
Here – in a nutshell – is the problem…
US Census Bureau data on the US Trade Balance – Hint … it’s NOT good
That’s it… the US trade balance is NEGATIVE to the tune of $40.4 BILLION dollars in March of 2010… that means that the US imported goods and services worth more than $40B
and it’s that $40+ billion PER MONTH problem… you must first understand the problem, if you (or I) have even the REMOTEST chance of being part of the solution – and I do so hope you want to be part of the solution… really I do… because if we, the US population, do not WANT to be part of the solution, then we really are going to be part of those dis-interested muchachos and muchachas up there … the ones learning spanish and cantonese… not because they want to, but because their EMPLOYERS speak those languages… oh noes…) – not that I have anything against these countries, except the prospect of them owning my mortgage, my supply chain, my everything… that’s the scary part…
Now let’s check for understanding… and put it in terms that can be easily understood… the country is like a household – at the moment, this household is still on a massive spending binge – the current government came to power offering up a “hope and change” agenda – which was vague and nebulous enough that practically the whole un-enamored voting population got behind it – the population wanted ANYTHING but what they currently had – so they voted for this change – and thought they would be getting what THEY WANTED. Not so – they are getting what President Obama wants – and it’s still a massive spending binge… only it’s on different stuff. Trust me, this administration isn’t helping this trade deficit! Think about it… if your household spent even $40 more than it had access to in terms of income – that’s a $40 debt that grows, and grows and grows. Sure you have credit – but over time, you use it all… and then what? You sell stuff and still the $40 a month debt piles up… over time, your credit is shot… and then what? Are you starting to understand?
Enough ranting… what is the solution?
There is no magic bullet – no instant solution – but there is one BIG thing you can do to help… it starts with one purchase… one small step, and it grows – but you must be consistent, and you must START this yourself… no-one is going to do this for you … it is up to YOU to be your own solution… here is how it works…
You have only what you buy to help. Every time you buy something – be it a grilled cheese sandwich, or a steak, or a web hosting account – or a sack of oranges, orange juice, a pair of pants, a sweater – almost anything you buy… there are choices.
Look at your labels – buy the American made, or American processed product over the foreign made one. Make sure your oranges were grown in the USA – not Mexico or some other citrus producing country’; when choosing a company to do business with, do as much American buying as possible – when eating out, eat locally grown meat, and veg – I would go further, and support locally owned businesses – the local independents keep their dollars and cents in your local economy much more than big national chains, but most of the chains support local initiatives – I know in Colorado, that almost all the grocers (I can’t speak to all – because I don’t shop at them all) – they support the Colorado Proud initiative – so look for US made and locally made as a deliberate act – buy it where possible and you are doing your bit.
When buying a sandwich – get locally made cheese, ham, beef, veg – whatever – and you help – yes, it’s a small part – it’s what you can do, and it takes only a moment to do it!
I know that it’s not always possible to know who you’re doing business with – but ASK. If you ask your waiter, or your server for local options – they will be made available.
When it comes to services – spend as locally as possible – it’s also greener – less fuel, less waste – more $$$ in the local economy.
I am reminded of an incident earlier in the year – where a US chamber of commerce (which will remain nameless to protect the guilty), started a new portion of their website – they used a hosted solution from a company in Canada… yes, that’s right – the champion for local business spent their members’ hard earned dollars, paid to the chamber as dues to help local businesses – and they gave it away for service from north of the border… well perhaps there weren’t local alternatives… Bull-hockey! There were – I know there are… this kind of thoughtless abuse of our economy has to STOP – but you can’t rely on everyone else to do it – the BUCK STOPS WITH YOU.
So – instead of relying on someone else to buy local for you – be part of the solution – ask for local, buy local and you help local… buy chinese “plasticrap” – and you better get your Rosetta Stone crash-course in Cantonese ordered… your bosses are a changing… the ones with all the dollars wins… remember that game of monopoly?
If you don’t take this seriously, and you don’t start doing your part… what you’re effectively doing, is loading more waste on top of that economy, and you’re pushing the ‘flush’ lever…