As an independent business owner, the current volatility of our economy and reform efforts of our state and federal government has made it nearly impossible to set measurable and realistic goals. In years past, from the mid-90's to 2007, it was very easy to attain virtually any goal set because I knew I could count on a robust economy. We witnessed prosperity and loss through the dot com boom and bust. The terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. could be blamed for a short lull in business activity, but even that event was not significant enough to derail most enterprises.
I started noticing a decline in business activity when the price of oil began quickly escalating above $2.50 or so. It seems many of the troubles businesses began to face were directly attributed to the price of oil and anything petroleum is/was used to manufacture. As the cost of materials started increasing, many businesses were forced to either absorb the additional expense or make "adjustments" with personnel, and the proverbial snowball began to roll downhill. I contend that the high price of oil combined with haphazard Congressional and Senatorial legislation that not only allowed but demanded that Alt-A and other sub-prime mortgage products be made is directly attributable to our current challenges.
The GOOD NEWS is, we as stubborn Americans, never to be content, will find a way to rebound and restore solvency to our system. We've all been indoctrinated to believe by working diligently, we can accomplish any task and can have anything we desire, regardless of the obstacles. This idealistic perspective is part of what makes this country so great, and precisely why capitalism and economic freedom MUST be preserved. This country has witnessed years of prosperity and years of depression. There is nothing more to learn. Until citizens realize and internalize the fact there will always be "haves and have nots" and cyclical bull markets and bear markets, the debate over what type of economic structure our economy is based will continue. Debate is good, but dismantling over 230 years of hard work by way of knee-jerk reactionary legislation is not. The unified power of choice is our greatest asset and if exercised properly can effect change within our economic system. Our financial markets react almost immediately to the choices we make regarding how and what we buy. The power to turn our economy around is within OUR hands, and should NOT be left up to our legislators.
When we listen to, and read the affirmative writings of people like
Napolean Hill, Henry Ford, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Carnegie, Lee
Iacocca, and even Tony Robbins, there is an undertone of pragmatism
that dismisses the notion of entitlement. We are all individually
accountable for our own successes or failures and should expect nothing
from anyone, ever. In an age whereby news and commentary can be disseminated to millions or billions of people simultaneously, positive messages of hope and restoration are seldom found. Great things are happening everyday in business, life, and our nation.
As Americans, we are creatures of opportunity fueled by the hope and expectation of
creating lives of substance for ourselves, our children, and our
neighbors, and it can only be attained through economic
freedom and diversity. What can you do today to make a positive impact?