Unless you’ve been living in a cave during the last 2-3 years, you know the U.S. economy is in the toilet. Oh, it would be easy to get “political” and blame the Republicans or the Democrats. God knows they BOTH deserve it. And yes, the politicians certainly made a big “contribution” to the problem. But it’s not what you think. There are actually three reasons our economy has tanked and will take a LONG time to recover:
1. Massive national and personal debt. The U.S. national debt has risen more in the last five years than in the entire history of the country. Even worse than the debt are the unfunded obligations of the U.S. government in future years. It’s estimated the unfunded obligations for Social Security are roughly $10 trillion, and those of Medicare $60 trillion. A national health care plan, however “nice” to have, would only add to these entitlement program obligations. Compare these to the estimated value of the entire New York Stock Exchange at a mere $35 trillion. These massive obligations are the result of unfunded promises to the large generation of baby boomers who are approaching retirement age (including me!). There is simply no way out of this mess without major pain. Second, personal debt is also at an all-time high. One of the reasons for so many home mortgage foreclosures was, homeowners used their home equity as a “piggy bank” to fund cars, vacations, luxury items, home improvements, etc. When the housing bubble burst, many of them could not keep up with their mortgages and credit card debt. They also could not sell their property, because they owed more than it was worth on the deflated market (the so-called “underwater mortgage” ). Are you one of them? If so, you’d better do something now.
2. The true emergence of the “flat earth.” Thomas Friedman’s book, The World Is Flat, warned us several years ago this was coming. Many skilled jobs are being shifted from the U.S. and Europe to emerging nations like China and India. Ironically, it’s the technology of the Internet that made this possible. This, as well as the unfunded promises U.S. automakers made to their own workers, created the setting for their downfall. The U.S. government will be tempted to engage in protectionism to turn this around, but history has shown us this approach will not work. So no matter how many diatribes you hear about “NAFTA” or “big companies moving jobs overseas”, the harsh reality is, we are rapidly shifting to a global economy. When the U.S. was a true economic power, we could have much more influence on global trends. Now, we are a debtor nation. Like your Mom always said, “Debtors can’t be choosy.” Welcome to the 21st Century.
3. The growing cost of energy. Most people feel the cost of gasoline first, but the impact is also felt in natural gas and electricity. High gas prices were certainly impacted by the Iraq war, but the shrinking supply of “cheap” oil and the rising cost of “clean” energy production are driving prices ever higher. High energy prices strike at the very heart of job creation and personal finances. Most middle class Americans drive their cars to work, to buy food, etc. The price of food is also linked to energy because of the high level of automation in U.S. agriculture.
These forces have created the “perfect storm” in our economy. We are very rapidly moving from an Industrial Age to the Internet Age. Will there still be “jobs” in America? Yes, but there will be fewer of them and they will pay less. This includes both “white collar” and “blue collar” jobs. No union can protect you, because workers in other countries are willing to work for less. No politician can save you, no matter how many lies he (or she) tells to get re-elected. The American government has run out of options and empty promises. No, this time your only choice is to save yourself and your own family. Your choice is not whether to be rich or “middle class” – it’s whether to be rich or POOR. I’ve made my choice. This is your chance to make yours.
The “New Global Economy” will be built largely on information and the Internet. That’s not to say there will be no manufacturing, even in the USA. But the making of “things” will take place wherever it’s cheapest and most efficient to make them. More often than not, that will be in a country other than the USA. So, you ask, “What’s the SOLUTION? It’s just fine and dandy that you gave me this nice dose of bad news, Dr. Dick. What do I need to do now?” Here’s what I think you need to do:
1. Establish a web presence for yourself. Create a blog, even if it’s just a “practice” one. Get active on social media – Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Ping, whatever. And no, I don’t mean playing Mafia Wars or getting involved in Farmville or any of the many time-wasters available to you. You might as well spend your time watching the Automatic Income Reducer (a.k.a. the TeeVee). Learn how to build a capture page, create a blog, create a Facebook group, use Twitter, etc.
2. Brand yourself. There is something about “YOU” that is truly unique. Find it. Build it into your true web persona.
3. Get informed. For starters, read some good books. Think and Grow Rich is the classic, but I strongly recommend Robert Kiyosaki’s series: Rich Dad, Poor Dad; Prophecy (awesome!); Cash Flow Quadrant; etc.
4. Get trained. If you’re new, find a mentor. Hook up with a great Internet marketing training site like this one. Learn how you can truly “conquer the Internet.”
In short, learn how to “Inc. yourself” in the brave new world that is emerging. Because it’s not the same old America any more.
Dr. Dick
P.S. Want to hear more from Dr. Dick? Want to receive an email reminder when there is a new post? Easy – just become one of our preferred subscribers by filling in your name and email address in the widget box on the right hand side of this page.
Awsome Post! Farmville is amazing I absolutely love playing it! it’s a awesome timekiller! Nice blog btw!
[...] Go here to see the original: What in the world is going on in America? Why does our economy … [...]
[...] the rest here: What in the world is going on in America? Why does our economy … tags: conditions, cost, cutting-standard, doreen, estimated, gas-prices, iraq, over-future, [...]
hey this blog is great. I’m glad I came by this blog. Maybe I can contribute in the near future. PM ME on Yahoo AmandaLovesYou702 Thank you day281
Your website looks really good. Being a blog writer myself, I really appreciate the time you took in writing this article.
This is my first visit to this blog. We are starting a new initiative in the same category as this blog. Your blog provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done a marvellous job.
Baby boomers have carried the US for decades. I hope we can come up with a way for health care to support them as they age.
What I wanna know is what will happen when we run out of coal.. what is the best alternative as things stand and is that a renewable source of energy?
Although I have 3 degrees in Chemistry, I don’t claim to be an energy expert. We are actually a long way from running out of coal or oil. It’s just that the remaining sources are harder to get to, will cost more, and may have environmental consequences. Politicians actually don’t help, because most of them are lawyers, and they keep trying to repeal the Laws of Thermodynamics. Even electric cars need a source of electricity. The best “renewable” alternatives at the moment appear to be biofuels, and I’m not talking about corn. Some types of algae show promise in generating useful fuels. Such fuels will still be hydrocarbon based, so they will have a carbon footprint like anything else. Wind and solar are renewable but somewhat limited in their application. Bottom line for me: if the population of this planet continues to grow unchecked, anything we do will have serious environmental consequences, and useful energy will be in short supply. The Population Bomb is as real today as it was when Paul Erlich first wrote it back in 1968.
Hi I excel in FarmVille, I found a heap of tips and tricks at http://farmvile.webs.com/ and levelled up so quick. I love this game.
Hey really solid blog!! Man .. Stunning .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your blog and get the feed too…
Hi, You write some very good blogs. I always check back here often to see if you have updated. I thought you might want to know, when I click your RSS feed it re-directs me to http://www.article-pie.com
That is definitely excellent and very well thought out.Usually I don’t make comments on the web, but I have to say that this article really forced me to do so. Really great piece of information
Must be a glitch, Natosha. When I click on it, I get the feed for my blog. Dr. D
i’m normally surfing all around the online world virtually all of the evening hence I have a propensity to read a bunch, which isnt typically a beneficial thing as nearly all of the internet sites I visit are constructed of pointless garbage copied from other internet websites a zillion times, but I have to give you credit this website is truely not bad at all and also provides a lot of authentic information, therefore cheers for breaking up the trends of only duplicating other people’s blogs and forums, in case you ever want to try a few hands of zynga poker together with me just let me know – you have my e-mail
Nice information. I am glad I visited your blog. Keep those quality post coming.
get rid of the IRS. Start a national sales tax. Go back to the balance budget act. Stop the wars (terrorism, drugs, etc). Become a producing country again instead of a service country. Kick it old school.
Have you ever thought of adding more videos to your webpage to hold the visitors more involved? I just read through the entire page and it was quite nice however since I learn visually, I find videos to be more beneficial. I enjoy what you guys are always up too. Keep up the great work. I will revisit your site online regularly for a few new post.
I agree that I need to do more videos. Just got a new video camera for Christmas, and I haven’t even used it yet! Like some other people, I’m a lot more comfortable writing than I am in front of the camera. But thanks for reminding me that I need to include video. Dr. D
Hi, Very interesting article. I am quite impressed and just wanted to let you know that you did a fine job on this article. However, I do have some unanswered questions that I would like to ask you. I will contact you via email so that you can clear some of these things up for me. Again, very well written article. Keep up the good work.
I think your blog is great. I found it on MSN.
Thank you for the sound critique. Me and my neighbor were just setting up to do some research about this. I am very glad to see such great info being shared freely out there.
Just proves the old adage. It’s an ill wind that blows no good. – A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is just putting on its shoes. – Mark Twain 1835 – 1910
Doing some browsing and noticed your website appears a bit messed up in my K-meleon internet browser. But fortunately hardly anyone uses it any longer but you may want to look into it. – A benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance. – Benjamin Franklin 1706 – 1790
Did you recently change the website design? I just realized I came to your website 2 months ago.. It looks a little different. Anyways, keep up the good work.
This blog is impressive. It might be a good idea to use lighter colors and improve on the design in order to increase your visitor retention
Hey, this is one great looking article! Thanx for posting this. I was looking for a site that has this kind of info. I just like very much farmville! Lucky I found this one! I’ll be visiting here again for sure!
Thank you for the sound critique. Me and my neighbor were just setting up to do some research about this. I am very glad to see such great info being shared freely out there.
Hi, Very interesting article. I am quite impressed and just wanted to let you know that you did a fine job on this article. However, I do have some unanswered questions that I would like to ask you. I will contact you via email so that you can clear some of these things up for me. Again, very well written article. Keep up the good work.
Doing some browsing and noticed your website appears a bit messed up in my K-meleon internet browser. But fortunately hardly anyone uses it any longer but you may want to look into it. – A benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance. – Benjamin Franklin 1706 – 1790
Did you recently change the website design? I just realized I came to your website 2 months ago.. It looks a little different. Anyways, keep up the good work.
Thank you for the sound critique. Me and my neighbor were just setting up to do some research about this. I am very glad to see such great info being shared freely out there.
Thank you for the sound critique. Me and my neighbor were just setting up to do some research about this. I am very glad to see such great info being shared freely out there.
Hey, this is one great looking article! Thanx for posting this. I was looking for a site that has this kind of info. I just like very much farmville! Lucky I found this one! I’ll be visiting here again for sure!
Now is the time to prepare for maybe the worst economic collapse since the great depression – it will be worse and longer – buy gold or silver – preferably silver – as much as you can afford – prepare in getting out of debt and stocking food, medical and personal supplies – do it now – study this out don’t depend on the false news!
You certainly deserve a round of applause for your post and more specifically, your blog in general. Very high quality material