Economically Speaking

Times are hard for people, business and government.  I have been jobless for a year and a half and even though I search the ads and posting every other day, I don't see much hope for the future and I know I am not alone.  There are many families suffering through much worse as they have children they are trying to feed, clothe, and house.  Families are breaking  up under the stress.  How long will it be before our little community has the need for homeless shelters and food kitchens?  We already have homeless in our community, but they can always find an empty building or a covered front porch to get a bit of sleep, but remember, winter is coming and where will they go?

Business' have closed their doors as they can no longer afford the high taxes that are already here, much less those that are scheduled to go into effect the first part of the year.  The EPD restrictions, OSHA restrictions, the WC insurance, the unemployment taxes, the licenses, the permits are all contributing factors to the closings.  The small businesses do not stand a chance and the large businesses are moving their operations overseas to escape the never ending taxes and insurance, no to mention the lower production cost. 

We have thrown common sense out the window and now the government is protecting us from ourselves.  I am not in favor of sweat shops any more than the rest of the people of this country, but regulations have closed more industry than lack of sales ever thought about doing. 

The bank sales in our area seem to have abated somewhat, but that doesn't mean that construction has rebounded.  Subdivision development has ceased and there are many lots sitting vacant as well as new homes that just don't sell.  Contractors are looking elsewhere for employment as skilled laborers and most are having to go out of town to find work.  It has happened before.  People have followed work all over this United States in an effort to survive.  Georgia is no longer a manufacturing hub and people are leaving. 

New businesses have moved into downtown Atlanta and some of the satellite cities surrounding the big city and bless their hearts, Lagrange landed a gold mine in the Kia plant.  Oh for a Kia plant for our little central Georgia town. 

I really feel for the upcoming generation.  Given everything they ask for, how will they survive.  It is time to teach our children and grandchildren that life can exist without cell phone, ipods, DVDs, even television.  Can you remember the time before television, when a good book or a deck of cards were the entertainment of the weekend? 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time . . .
Happy Reading!
Belle