Christmas and the Economy

How do you spend your way out of debt? I can't quite figure that one out.

We have spent years trying to change the image of Christmas and complaining it has become too commercial - too much spending, too much advertising, too much, well, of most everything. We have stressed that Christmas is a celebration of Jesus' birth. Christians know that December 25 may not be the actual date of birth, but no one seems to be able to calculate the exact date, so December 25 has been designated as the date.

The movers and shakers of the economic world seemed to base the state of the economy on the revenue earned during the Christmas season. Since Black Friday did not meet the sales expectations of the economist, we have been encouraged to spend, spend, spend.

There is a definite clash between the financial sector and the ideology of Christmas.

Have you seen a bicycle, a pair of skates, or a basketball with hoop advertised? Nope, because children are more interested in emulating mommy and daddy with their cell phones, iPods, Mp3, and laptops. Manufacturers and vendors are very much aware that this is a technological world. They have put their money into pushing items in electronics and technology. If a child were to receive a bicycle for Christmas instead of the cell phone which they crave, they would be highly disappointed.

It is easier and less time consuming for a parent to teach a child to use a cell phone than it is to teach them to ride a bike. The bike takes physical activity on both their parts. As I have said before, we have become a lazy society, dependent on a machine to perform for us.

Along another venue, the refinancing of mortgage loan program was considered a flop. Well, let's take a look. If a person is unemployed and has no idea when they will be reemployed, how will they get a loan approved? It seems the people are smarter than our legislators. People know they can not borrow money they have no way to pay back. Being unemployed is demoralizing, debilitating, and frustrating without being told "sorry, you don't qualify". Why add to their frustrations?
Listen legislators, being unemployed means having no visible means of support. I have talked to many many people looking for employment. They have tried the programs (refinancing, back to school, retraining), but if jobs are not available what do you do then? No amount of retraining can create jobs. No amount of refinancing can save a home if there is no money to pay the mortgage.

No we are back to the same round robin. Supply and demand is still the guideline for manufacturing and trade. If there is no demand, supply stops - therefore jobs are lost. So, yes, it makes sense to say spend, spend, spend. But, on the other hand.