How the 1960's are like today in 2009, or, how history repeats itself.
You might find some interesting parallels here.
In 1960, the major car makers were in "trouble". No one wanted to buy their cars. The car makers decided people needed to buy more cars. They made coupes, compacts, "options" and a major marketing campaign to convince americans that they "needed" to have two cars per family. In 2009, the car makers are in trouble, and have decided people need to buy more cars, so tell people "Be Patriotic. Buy local." (instead of fixing the problem and fixing their cars and making them better). They convince the public that they are the backbone of society, so need a bailout package to keep on selling cars (that are overpriced, partly due to greedy executives), and designed to break down after five years so you need to buy a new one. They offer "incentives" to get people to buy more cars.
In the 1960's, people were "satisfied" with what they had. A house, a car, a dishwasher, a t.v. -- they were set for life. Companies "convinced" them that they needed to buy more to "support" the economy. At that time, companies were producing more than people could consume. After an effective "re-educating" campaign, people bought more.
In 2009, credit cards, loans, mortgages, no money down incentives, etc, etc, are handed out like candy to get people to buy more, rather than save money -- and/or use it for stuff they actually 'need'.
These are just a few examples.
One of the main "problems" is that people are taught to live a lavish lifestyle with total disregard for the future, and many buy into it. There is nothing wrong with a lavish lifestyle -- if you earn it -- but many think it is something for nothing -- or forget about the working for it bit. They forget that the car payments, mortgage, no money down for furniture, etc -- is something they will have to eventually pay off. And the "problem" is exacerbated when some of the companies encouraging this behaviour are "greedy", i.e., credit card companies that charge a 30% annual interest rate (that's $3,000 for $10,000 debt in one year). Or mortgage companies that know an individual can't afford payments -- but decide to give a mortgage anyways. Why would someone live in a house if they can't afford it -- when they could live in an apartment until they can -- and then move up to a house? And then, although some taxes are necessary to support a certain type of infrastructure, they are increased without question, eroding people's savings, and indirectly inflation rises which is another form of taxation.
I am sympathetic to people in dire circumstances, and I really wish them well. However, some of these people need to take responsibility for their own actions, and stop expecting someone to do something for them for nothing. Many people might experience a bit of toughness -- but they need to change their way of thinking. There is nothing wrong with helping someone out -- in fact that is great. But if that person chooses to think the same way (i.e., gets money to temporarily 'bail' them out -- but goes right back to overextending themself on credt), simply closing their eyes and wishing things will change won't do anything. People need to take action, and know what the right action is.
In 1960, the major car makers were in "trouble". No one wanted to buy their cars. The car makers decided people needed to buy more cars. They made coupes, compacts, "options" and a major marketing campaign to convince americans that they "needed" to have two cars per family. In 2009, the car makers are in trouble, and have decided people need to buy more cars, so tell people "Be Patriotic. Buy local." (instead of fixing the problem and fixing their cars and making them better). They convince the public that they are the backbone of society, so need a bailout package to keep on selling cars (that are overpriced, partly due to greedy executives), and designed to break down after five years so you need to buy a new one. They offer "incentives" to get people to buy more cars.
In the 1960's, people were "satisfied" with what they had. A house, a car, a dishwasher, a t.v. -- they were set for life. Companies "convinced" them that they needed to buy more to "support" the economy. At that time, companies were producing more than people could consume. After an effective "re-educating" campaign, people bought more.
In 2009, credit cards, loans, mortgages, no money down incentives, etc, etc, are handed out like candy to get people to buy more, rather than save money -- and/or use it for stuff they actually 'need'.
These are just a few examples.
One of the main "problems" is that people are taught to live a lavish lifestyle with total disregard for the future, and many buy into it. There is nothing wrong with a lavish lifestyle -- if you earn it -- but many think it is something for nothing -- or forget about the working for it bit. They forget that the car payments, mortgage, no money down for furniture, etc -- is something they will have to eventually pay off. And the "problem" is exacerbated when some of the companies encouraging this behaviour are "greedy", i.e., credit card companies that charge a 30% annual interest rate (that's $3,000 for $10,000 debt in one year). Or mortgage companies that know an individual can't afford payments -- but decide to give a mortgage anyways. Why would someone live in a house if they can't afford it -- when they could live in an apartment until they can -- and then move up to a house? And then, although some taxes are necessary to support a certain type of infrastructure, they are increased without question, eroding people's savings, and indirectly inflation rises which is another form of taxation.
I am sympathetic to people in dire circumstances, and I really wish them well. However, some of these people need to take responsibility for their own actions, and stop expecting someone to do something for them for nothing. Many people might experience a bit of toughness -- but they need to change their way of thinking. There is nothing wrong with helping someone out -- in fact that is great. But if that person chooses to think the same way (i.e., gets money to temporarily 'bail' them out -- but goes right back to overextending themself on credt), simply closing their eyes and wishing things will change won't do anything. People need to take action, and know what the right action is.