It seems to me that what might be wrong with this country's economy is that there aren't any ( or very many) people who make stuff. Oh there are people who think of stuff for other people to make. People in China, or Bangladesh, or Mexico. Or we can secretly invite Mexicans to come here--and make Jumbo Jacks, and Quarter Pounders. We all think we are too good for that sort of thing--those of us who are the people who buy stuff.
We bought the idea that a college education would guarantee us a good living, and we borrowed the money to go to school. And now we don't really want to pay it back because it just wasn't as easy as that.
We bought the idea that everyone should be able to own their own home. And we borrowed the money for that also. And jobs disappeared. And the value of homes disappeared. And we want to blame the people who sold us stuff and the people who lent us the money and not be accountable for the stuff that we bought.
Last weekend was Black Friday, the kick off of the holiday shopping season. the time when retailers make their profit for the year. Every year they open earlier and earlier, offer bigger and better deals (maybe) and the people who buy stuff get crazier and crazier. And then there are the people who steal stuff mugging the people who bought stuff in the parking lot outside the store. And we blame the people who make stuff and the people who sell stuff. We say it's awful how they compete for our dollars-make their emloyees give up their holiday and all just to make a buck. But the truth is they wouldn't do it if it didn't work. And we buy their stuff as if we didn't have a choice. And that is pretty sad.
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