OK, so I know that I might get some flak for this one, but I pose the question…
In the long term, is it possible that the current state of the economy is neccessary for the continued future growth and properity of the United States?
The reason I ask this started with a radio interview about the auto industry. I say that the American Auto industry was broken. Not just the US auto industry, but the Automobile industry in the world. I mean, I am driving a 1995 Ford Escort with 200K + miles on it and it gets over 25 miles to the gallon. Thirteen years later, the brand new Ford Focus gets 24 to 35 miles per gallon. I can get 29 mph on the xpress way with my escort. Is that really the best we can do? Thirteen years ago tires were rated to last between 30 thousand and 50 thousand miles. Now, I can buy tires rates at… oh, between 30 thousand and 70 thousand miles. 13 years and this is the best advancement we can make? I could go on and on about safty and price, but I think you can understand my point from this. We have made small gains, but not enough. Certainly not what we as a country are capable of.
I believe this extends way beyond the Auto industry. Power creation and distribution, Education, healthcare, all have been languising in a “Survive until the next fiscal quarter” mentatlity. Short term gains prompted by a stock market and stock price centric mentality.
What if suddenly the current stock price was not as important as a five year gain? Ten year gain? How much could and would that change the planning and development in the Hospitals? Retailers? What if customer service was important again, rather than just something you figured out how to spend less money on?
OK, so here is the start of my conversation about this. More later…
What if the recession is a good thing?
OK, so I know that I might get some flak for this one, but I pose the question…
In the long term, is it possible that the current state of the economy is neccessary for the continued future growth and properity of the United States?
The reason I ask this started with a radio interview about the auto industry. I say that the American Auto industry was broken. Not just the US auto industry, but the Automobile industry in the world. I mean, I am driving a 1995 Ford Escort with 200K + miles on it and it gets over 25 miles to the gallon. Thirteen years later, the brand new Ford Focus gets 24 to 35 miles per gallon. I can get 29 mph on the xpress way with my escort. Is that really the best we can do? Thirteen years ago tires were rated to last between 30 thousand and 50 thousand miles. Now, I can buy tires rates at… oh, between 30 thousand and 70 thousand miles. 13 years and this is the best advancement we can make? I could go on and on about safty and price, but I think you can understand my point from this. We have made small gains, but not enough. Certainly not what we as a country are capable of.
I believe this extends way beyond the Auto industry. Power creation and distribution, Education, healthcare, all have been languising in a “Survive until the next fiscal quarter” mentatlity. Short term gains prompted by a stock market and stock price centric mentality.
What if suddenly the current stock price was not as important as a five year gain? Ten year gain? How much could and would that change the planning and development in the Hospitals? Retailers? What if customer service was important again, rather than just something you figured out how to spend less money on?
OK, so here is the start of my conversation about this. More later…