Thursday, November 20, 2008

Auto companies and our economy

After watching the hearings and reading some economists forecasts I wonder where these experts live. The average Jane knows what it's like to cutback on expenses and see neighbors, family and friends lose jobs and not find new jobs. Gee we are in a recession because the experts have revised their predictions! What a load of crap.
The economy has been getting worse these past 2 years and it's not just oil and China! Our whole way of life has finally caught up with us and predictions that were made back in the 1970's are seeing the light of day.
Great book --China Inc --will open eyes.
I hope Congress can see past their noses and give the Big Three loans to keep business moving. Yes they can certainly cutback on production, models and top execs, rank and file could take some concessions.
If the Big 3 close the ripple effect will be another GREAT DEPRESSION!

Even with the Iraq war we did not see any benefit to economy as WWII brought to the end of the depression. These are different times.
So many suppliers from tool and die, wheel rim makers, tire manufacturers, and all those other parts that make up our vehicles will be dead in the water.

I believe people do like their larger size vehicles and will buy American but there has to jobs and loan money out there to be able to afford it. It's not that we don't trust the auto companies it's that we don't have the money to buy another or replace a current vehicle!

The media must be having a field day with this they can fill the airways with 24/7 speculation.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Here's to elections and a renewal of hope

Finally the day to select a new president and a ton of other public officials as well as propositions. At 8:45AM I was number 82 in my precinct and had no line, but the other precinct in the same building was snaked across the gym to the doorway.
Whoever wins will bring changes and things can only get better. Let's face it manufacturing jobs are a thing of the past and knowledge workers and personal services are on the upswing. I'm reading a terrific book called Who's Your City by Richard Florida. This book should have required reading for all candidates. All this financial trouble did not happen overnight, it has been building for decades!
On my cynical side isn't it amazing how gas prices dropped rapidly leading up to the election? I saw a station this morning at $1.99 for regular.
Now we can spend that extra money at the grocery store. I know one thanksgiving that won't be quite as bountiful as in the past.
The stores seem to have forgotten thanksgiving--halloween is on discount and christmas has taken over the aisles and floorspace.
Did your family ever do much for special decorations for thanksgiving?
Not a ton of collectibles out there. We usually just had dried leaves and the mini pumpkins and gourds and maybe "indian" corn. Candles may have been orangish but the main distinction was the whole turkey, pumpkin and mincemeat pies.
Now christmas decorations inside the house are a whole range of collecting--special lights, candle holders, reindeer, elves, SANTAS, creches, wisemen, COOKIE CUTTERS, stockings, cards, feather trees, glass ornaments and on and on. This year I'm partial to the celluloid or plastic reindeer with antlers and painted noses and eyes. Variations of the wisemen and camels caught my eye at the summer yard sales!
Oh how I miss those sales once October ends. Even estate sales seem to have dwindled this past week.
A TOAST TO AN IMPROVING ECONOMY!