The Signs and Symbols of an Economy gone astray. by Robert Melaccio, sr

Yes, what are these signs and symbols I keep referring to over and over again? Well if one takes time to observe, yes observe the truly simple things that go right past us each day as we average Americans try to survive we can see what is going on, or at least what is emerging and begin to understand and comprehend, that is if we care to know?

In formulating my opinions, which I am expressing herein, I feel comfortable you may have already drawn similar ones. Yes some of those signs and symbols can be gleaned from the simple everyday activity many participate in called, gossip. You know where there is smoke there is fire. How about innuendo or casual talk? Certainly your daily experiences also play a major factor. What I am trying to say is the answers are right there for everyone to plainly hear, see or experience.

I have talked about all sorts of issues which all strewn all over this land. From few to no good paying stay here jobs, that is American worker jobs, to a lack or leadership, to the application of simple logic and common sense, to agenda’s that harm if not for the common good of all but the select few. What are they you might ask?

Ok, a month or so ago I wrote about fuel prices and its overall impact to everything here in America. Yes from utilities, to food, to transportation to products and on and on and on. You remember the alarms sounding right before the last election and the promise to reign in big oil? Oh, I forgot that you evidently forgot. Yes, we were complaining about $2.00 a gallon. How foolish we were.

Yes, just yesterday truckers were out in force blowing their horns because they can’t survive. Of course they must pass the cost along. Have you noted the cost of goods, services ,food, etc. bread, milk, cheese, ice cream? I’ll bet you have? Some just feel its getting bad while others have to worry about what to buy.

I have already mentioned health care and the horror that is enveloping that system. Just where and when did that all turn? Health Care was always a shinning star in this land. That is was. Now it has become, so many days for this, so many days for that, this procedure costs this, your not entitled to that. Yes, in my opinion Socialized Medicine has arrived, that is for the Have Not’s of this land. The wealthy, well do you think they worry about the care their loved ones get, do you. They call it investing, planning, being prepared and the rest of us call it something way different.

They used to call it trickle down it is now a ripple that has turned into a wave. A wave in my opinion that continues to grow with each passing day. Yes, a wave of destruction. Their answer, throw money at it and always enough time to do it over. Tell me this is not the case in any of our systems, businesses, government, etc. Money after money. Yes, always time to do it again and never time to do it right. You hear people saying everyday "I don’t know, I’m just doing my job".

Big Business complains about Americans not doing their job yet time after time American productivity leads the world. Why one might ask? Americans do not take vacations, work extra hours and sometimes don’t see the just pay they are entitled to and many times they are "expected" to do and all under the guise of "other things as required", Yes to do as much as they can. Some are re classified as exempt, meaning they get to get screwed even more then the hourly. Reduction in staff [FTE] and let someone else "pick up the slack" equals poor ,moral, no loyalty, its just a job attitudes which converts to the type of service we all get. At will employment, a reduction in work hours, minimum wages, outsourcing, good jobs to foreigners, cheaper and cheaper foreign workers, hey they can hire two or more for what they pay these average Americans and guess what they don’t complain. No they left their home country as indentured servants and slaves and picked up right where they left off. It is all they know and better then what they had. A great win for both. The exploited and those doing the exploitation. What about those education grants and social services to foreigners and on and on and on. Try getting some of that as an American.

Yes many of these same politicians, business owners and leaders get up each day and espouse GOD. God has blessed them. Yes, I only ask which God? Hey a hard question reflected in where their heart is. Yes, they smile and shake hands with the other haves. Yes, that minority who loves them and gives the rest of us "their choice". Yes, because if you ask any average American they will say "what choice is there"?

In fact it is so apathetic no one even cares to listen any longer. "As the song says "what will be will be". So if you are looking at this economy, which is not doing that bad for the wealthy, the rich, the haves, you will find that the problem is with the 15% or 40 million and more average Americans who are on the fence and sliding fast. Don’t think so then just look. What about new car sales, who buys them and how are sales doing? How do these new cars get financed? What about credit card debt, bankruptcy and how that is growing faster and faster and even including now many of the haves. Yes and all for "unsecured debt’. Isn’t that a sin? However, all those Mercedes, BMW and Lexus cars outside the clinics and hospitals or the parking lots of corporate America may soon become another cheaper model?

Where will the tentacles reach and how far? You got it, not only within this nation but outside. It is simple economics my friends, if America reduces or stops buying it will impact you if it hasn't already. Do you not see the cheaper labor outside your front door? Do you not see the highway from Mexico North to Canada and do you not know what that beckons? You may have it now but beware. That wave can reach far and wide.

Yes, if these leaders are the educated people they profess to be and believers and a leader as they profess why are they not leading and doing, now? Yes they who have been educated in the finest schools in the world and who hold the reigns of power and wealth, then why do we have what we have? How can a Bill Clinton stand up and say unless you have good jobs here in America you cannot sustain the Global economy or build the middle class. Has not his wife been a part of all of this? How can an Obama say the good jobs have gone and are not coming back and that we have to create new jobs. Ok, for who, when and what types? He never completes the story and why, in my opinion because he doesn’t have the answer. Has he not also been a part of what has come down? They other guy, well he still believes in Market Forces and that is enough said.

Quite frankly they all might have what we all have, hope? Yes and how about Obama saying that we have to rebuild our infrastructure and put construction workers back to work and get this, he says say it from a position of leadership and knowledge as if the average joe on the street didn’t already know that. Ok math one, one plus one equals two. How can they get up in front of a screaming college campus [says a lot doesn’t it] and project that this is some magic bullet only they have the answers to? Please, time and time again we hear the talk and little else.

Why my friends does any of this make sense? Does "we shall know them by their works", not what they profess, but in the fruits of their labor make sense? "If the glove doesn’t fit you can’t convict" as Jimmy Cochern once said. Only this time and in my opinion, the glove fits fine. The signs and symbols are so pronounced one wonders about the ability of the American people to comprehend?

Now as I stated earlier, many of you who read this are from outside the nation. However, this does impact you. Think not, then think again and think hard. Look for the signs that are everywhere. As I said, all you need to do is open your eyes and ears to them. Look at your immigration problem right under your noses. Who do you think is next in the Global picture?

As for us Americans until we Change Congress we will never Change America. It will remain on the same path to the same destination. It just may take a little longer to get there, but the same results. Yes all in my opinion Birds of a Feather.