You Cannot Get There From Here



Hope for the Best but Expect the Worst



 OR,

Another one of my Rants in 2000 words or less

by Alex Hutchins

I am not doctoral degree in anything and yet a local liberal arts college with regional accreditation from SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) has ruled that my Master’s degree and 38 years of experience in Management is a viable substitute.  From the get go, let me also point out that I have never received a 6 figure salary either individually or with a combined family income.  Additionally, I too lost 2/3 of my savings that was invested in mutual funds during the severe decline of the stock market a few years ago.  With that said, let me point out too that I live in a State with no income tax but that has a high sales tax and is, on average, about 12-15% cheaper to live that most other States, making the total cost-of-living savings (not including sales tax) about 20-21%.

My opinions are not based upon some expert economist, political pundit, PhD educator, or successful investor but a synthesis of what I have read, taught, and experienced.  For instance one of my beliefs is that American economists are basing their recommendations on what is best for the US and not based upon America’s interrelationships in the global marketplace which to me is an incredible oversight because as China and India grow their Middle Class economies, their increase in demand will cause a global shortage, especially in clothes, plastics, and electronics; our economic policies must be macro (global) in nature not micro (US in nature only).

Another shortfall of forecasting insights from these “so called” experts is the fact that technological growth is almost exponential (doubling) enveloping the entire global marketplace and the fields of study that support this growth are:  math, science, engineering, statistics, and technology; and yet, where is all the “hoopla” with pushing the nation into this direction?   It would seem like to me that if our experts were really doing their job, then, these fields would have been addressed years ago in a similar way that President Kennedy and his experts pushed America’s direction into space.

But, the thrust of this posting is not space or education per se, as much as it is directed towards, what do we do now and do we believe the experts who are prediction another great depression similar to and perhaps greater than the depression of the 1920’s.  So, will this become a self-fulfilling prophecy for America or an opportunity to show the global marketplace America’s resolve, determination, and greatness?  I personally believe that the latter will take place.

We and my fellow protesters of the 60’s found out that protesting did little more than tarnish our resumes; so, while I have empathy and support for the protesters, their efforts are futile and like Abby Hoffman said, if you want change get into the system and change it from within; of course this is not an exact quote, I do not believe but pretty damn close.  Even though the protesting has grown and involved numerous cities across the country, it will not be successful and not because there is no unifying theme other than being unemployed but because change in our country does not come from protesting or from an attempt to overthrow the governments as has recently happened in other countries.

Abbie Hoffman and others 1970

Simply put, once the governments (local and national) have had enough, these governments will not just call upon local and state police but upon the National Guard and other branches of the military (if need be) to restore the peace.

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