I think that although painful this cataclysmic event in our economy, nationally and globally will be a good thing. I have poor health and will probably be one of the casualties of the upheaval but I am trying to think over and above myself. Here are the probable goods that will come out of this "leveling".
Families will be living together as children who's homes are being repossed return to the nest. Assisted living for the elderly, infirm and disabled will be a costly affair totally out of the reach of the poor and the middle class. Daycare will be even more expensive and much scarcer as the few stay at home mothers left head out to find something that will bring in cash.
Seniors will be involved in their families lives on a daily basis. Their help with child care, their knowledge for homeschooling and other life lessons will become invaluable. Disabled people will not have the access to many of the things they do at this point. They will be on the loosing side of the slate in that but they may forge closer bonds with their families also.
Fewer people will have the money to buy things, things like phones, vacuums. jet skis, computer games, fast food, dinners out, clothes, the list goes on and on. Instead we will be shutting down factories, turning more people to agricultural work as many parts of the world are already suffering famine and more to come. Food is always a necessity, lipstick, not so much. Priorities are going to become more realistic. You can't eat diamonds, you can't find shelter under an Xbox, and clothes need to provide some warmth!
Some fairly outdated skills us old hippies learned may actually have some value in a more barter oriented society. Life will be greener in general if no one can afford to drive without a major purpose. Recycling won't be hip it'll be a need. Gardens have already been popping up. Next year there will be more. Herbs cost less to grow than medicine bought in a store. Another change already occurring in our society will progress more.
The best thing is that we may finally realize that we can't afford war. We can afford military protection for our national boundaries if we are careful not to let Generals get too much power but we really can't afford Iraq or any other war. Not many people are mentioning the part this war had in bringing American down financially. It's not all those faulty mortgages.
I may be overly optimistic. I hope not.
1 comment:
I think the only thing you're being overly optimistic about is the inability to afford war. Where there's a will to destroy, there's a way to pay for it.
Post a Comment