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

Qualifying for some local and state positions started this week in our neck of the woods.  Every post is a most important job in our little community.  With little over 16,000 in our county, you would think people would be community oriented and supportive of those wishing to practically "donate" their time to helping the county - but not our county.  We have some of the harshest judges in the state among our citizens.  They are not happy with their lot in life or your lot in life either - it doesn't matter that it has no affect on them.  Election years always bring out the worst in our county.  That is when I quit reading our local papers and find a good novel to delve into.  I do believe there are a couple of Stuart Woods latest tales that I haven't read.  BUT, remember to vote!  This is your chance to have a say in who makes the decisions for our county, state, and nation. 

Georgia ranks #19

What makes the residents of a state happy? I have read the results of a survey published by LiveScience. com which revealed Georgia rated 19 in the happy states. This compares to our surrounding states all showing up in the top ten -Florida #3, Tennessee #4, South Carolina #8, and Alabama #9. Well, #19 isn't so bad out of 50 states. Georgians are in the top 50.

There is much discussion in the report and by the bloggers on what makes a state a happy state. Economics is probably the biggest deciding factor. People need money to live and Georgians do not have money. Atlantans (the conglomerate of people from all over the world) may have money, but the state overall does not have the resources for the people to make a living. Georgia is basically a rural state and the manufacturers have closed up and moved on.

Most of the rural Georgians do not want to see change in their communities, but how can industry expand, if there is no change? As late as last week a company wanting to establish a plant in our community received numerous questions and complaints about the odor that may be produced by the plant. Sometimes industry emits odors.

The mills that my grandparents worked in covered the area with cotton lint and dust, the dyes from the dye plant put out horrible smells, and nothing could smell worse than asphalt. That is jobs, that is progress. If factories open then the traffic will be heavier, the need for daycare increases, and yes, there will be odors, sounds, and sights that are not always pleasing to the senses. But industries provide jobs, may reduce taxes, and give the community something to build on.

The alternative, keep complaining, let the community waste away, and watch the children grow up and leave. Or better yet, move to Florida where people are happy.