We keep talking about our economy, the debt ceiling, and many other political and economic issues that Americans as a whole haven’t cared much about for the past few decades. However, now we do because we’re finally taking it in the shorts. Well, one thing that really upsets me is that our citizens, people like you and me, complain about the fact that companies are posting record profits while the country continues its slow and steady crawl to nowhere. The biggest criticism is that companies are getting richer by sending work overseas while Americans struggle to pay their rent.
Well, let me ask you this: how often do you buy American made products from American-only businesses? My guess is that it is very unlikely. The reason for this is because we, as Americans, ain’t cheap! We cost a helluva lot more than the rest of the world, and that is because we’ve had this mentality that we are, and always will be, number one in the global economy. Not true.
Let me try to sum up how we got to be so expensive.
During the industrial revolution, pioneers in our country made a killing by getting people off farms and into factories. We built railroads, siphoned oil out of the Earth, began mass-producing products on assembly lines, and used the cheapest labor we possibly could. We had sweat shops by today’s standards, and young kids were in that mix. Abhorred? Well, no one ever said our country was always the gem it is today.
Then we grew a conscience. Good for us, bad for business. What that meant was unions began sprouting up and people began organizing themselves against the big bad companies. People like Jimmy Hoffa showed everyone how to “stick it to the man!” This was good for working conditions. It introduced the eight hour day, the five day work week, and gave people vacation. It also began this thing called a pension and retirement. Prior to unionization, most people worked until they died, or the younger generations began supporting their folks as they became feeble and ill.
Because of the growth of our unions, and then the demand for American materials, we began getting more money. We started getting greedy and people started wanting more and more out of their lives. To do this, they needed more money, and banks and institutions started lending away. We also had a major world war that devastated the rest of the world, but left American factories running at 150%. We got greedier and thought we were the best there was because we helped the rest of the world rebound. We had little to no competition, and it went to our heads. People wanted more money and better working conditions because companies could afford it and we didn’t have to worry about Japan, China, or any European country taking the top tier from us.
Then the rest of the world recouped and started gaining ground on us. Meanwhile, our complacent country failed to take notice, and we continued doing things the way they’ve always been done. Wages went up, benefits got better, and our products and output staid the same (I remember a 1984 Dodge Diplomat car that I worked on in high school…ever seen one or even heard of it? I’m guessing not). Our cars got bigger and less efficient, our homes did too, and our lifestyles more lavish. All the while, other countries were learning to do more with less.
Eventually we got caught with our pants down. Other countries were more efficient, didn’t have labor issues like we have here, didn’t offer full life benefits, and basically out-paced American businesses in every way. But dammit, we were America, so we were going to be better no matter what. Enter the financial reforms that got us to where we are today, and you can see how America fell apart.
Unfortunately, people still think they deserve all these benefits, great wages, retirement, and a government to help them live when they can’t work anymore. It ain’t gonna happen folks. Stop complaining about companies with record profits when you are unemployed. They’re making their money without you, so what need do they have to hire? If you had an unlimited supply of gasoline in your back yard, would you ever go to the gas station to fill up and ask for more? Probably not. That’s what is going on here. The businesses that floundered for so long are finally figuring it out, so they don’t need as many people anymore. It’s a sad story, but it’s true.
My best advice is to learn a new trade, get unstuck from your old ways, and reinvent yourself. Learn new things, educate yourself, and start enjoying life instead of complaining about it. You should also begin to look at what is really important to you, and get rid of the excess waste. Trim down and become a less expensive person if that’s what it takes.
After all, that’s what the businesses did to you.
(PS- it helps to actually show up prepared to work and interview if you’re doing that. Research how not to be an idiot during an interview.)
(PPS- Sorry, I’ve been interviewing people lately, and I’m surprised how unprepared and unprofessional people can be. One guy didn’t even show up!!!)
