The citizen’s role in the economy
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Published: November 12, 2008
If we believe in self-help and don’t believe the government should solve all of our problems — or at least that the government should be the problem-solver of last resort rather than first resort — it follows
that we each should be proactively asking ourselves, “What should I do and what part can I play to solve our country’s current economic ills?”
As individuals, should we be spending? Saving? Borrowing? My gut says we should not be borrowing, because borrowing would exacerbate current liquidity problems in the capital markets. If we spend,
one assumes we should do so prudently and that we should buy American. We usually know the right path as individuals. This time around, it’s not crystal clear.
Those who believe the free market should step up and solve the current economic challenge should be leading the self-help charge. Unfortunately, calls for self-help have been few and far between. And
the free market, from whom many would like to see a solution, is itself feverously standing on the sidelines with its hand out. “Cocktail party talk” is filled with criticism of government-led solutions, but
discussions of private or individual citizen solutions have been characterized by utter silence.
We’ve arrived at the current conundrum for multiple reasons. Greed has always been part of the human condition. Nevertheless, the question is what each of us can do now to help solve the country’s
economic woes. It is very easy, inviting even, to criticize the large target offered by the feds for any government-led solution. But criticism of the feds lacks legitimacy if we the citizens — members of the
free market — are unwilling or unable to arrive at an individual or collective solution of our own.
RICHARD MEYER
Manassas
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( raywilliams ) on November 13, 2008 at 3:02 pm
“Oh, NOW you tell me, after I just bought a Korean-made car (albeit with a big “GM” badge on its side)!“
I hope that thing was built well ‘cause GM warranties may be out the window if they file for bankruptcy!
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Posted by ( kgotthardt ) on November 12, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Here’s my commitment to action:
1. Fight corporate welfare. Don’t let the government or the corporations think any of this is acceptable.
2. Empower people to change their lives through education and civic engagement.
3. Never, ever give up demanding justice.
4. Don’t accept anything less than what you agreed to.
This system needs to be changed. Simply putting some dimes into a piggy bank won’t do it. We need to send a clear message that we, the people, are not going to put up with government and corporate irresponsibility anymore.
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Posted by ( gwenandgary ) on November 12, 2008 at 8:51 pm
“We must get back to a principle of buying American-made, even if the cost of the product is higher.“
Oh, NOW you tell me, after I just bought a Korean-made car (albeit with a big “GM” badge on its side)!
No Beemer for this homeboy!
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Posted by ( raywilliams ) on November 12, 2008 at 5:07 pm
“Everything, it is crazy.“
If there is one thing elected Republicans and elected Democrats agree on, it is the color of money.
Political differences and citizen wellbeing are put aside when their lobbists, political backers and corporate doners come to call.
Blame Carter, blame Reagan, blame Bush Clinton Bush, it doesn’t matter.
It starts with greed at our level - the guy shopping “price” for a new deck, value meals, Always Low*Prices - each time we accept deals to enhance our quality of life, we do so at the expense of Joe the SOP (some-other-person).
Most of us are afraid to share even the tiniest slice of our pie with someone that may be more in need than us. “Their tough luck” we say as we drive off in our BMW…
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Posted by ( Jim ) on November 12, 2008 at 3:22 pm
The free market is a collective solution on its own. That is how it works.
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Posted by ( spanky ) on November 12, 2008 at 8:47 am
You say that but the candidates you vote for do not care about that..It is very hard to find Made in U.S.A. Japan renamed one of the island to USA and few know about that. When Clinton won, It was all about the economy then too. We were warned by Ross and no one listened and they labeld him a racist for saying you people?.... China never should have been given most farvored nation status. and Nafta has sent more jobs elsewhere. Fast food workers should be given Health care by the Huge Corps that own them and make Millions for the CEO’s. Companies could offer health care if the lawyers hadnt ruined it for all of us…And illeagals shouldnt get free health care when regular folks are forced into bankrupcy when they have huge billes due to ilness or accidents. Insurance Co.s ar also to blame for healthcare. Again Lawyers, ever had to fight one over say Workmans comp?....it isnt pretty and ebveryone is liar to them. YOU HAVE TO PROVE Everything, it is crazy.
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Posted by ( raywilliams ) on November 12, 2008 at 6:41 am
One reason we’re in this financial situation is because Americans seem to feel THEIR life style should be enhanced at the expense of someone else’s life style.
Why should a fast food worker have health care when I want a value meal?
Why should I pay some slob in Kansas to live high on the hog making TV sets when I can buy Chinese made?
American’s want to pay less so their dollar goes further. They are then puzzled when their employer wants to cut back on their benefits, pay structure or ship their job overseas.
We must get back to a principle of buying American-made, even if the cost of the product is higher.
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