From Production to Consumption

Perhaps some of you have heard people in the media talking about our nation becoming more of a consumer nation than a producer nation. So you might ask "what does that mean?" You might even ask why I would even bring up such a question or why does it matter.

Well lets see, we had record job losses in the month of November 2008 to the tune of 533,000 jobs, greater than analyst estimates. I just heard on the news just today that Sony is laying off 16,000 workers AND is planning to outsource the jobs to save an estimated 1.1 billion. Hmmm, sounds to mean like for those 16,000 they will no longer be able to PRODUCE anything, simply consume. That of course depends upon them getting a job. Will their skill sets offer them a chance to get yet ANOTHER job. Can they earn the same money doing something else? will any of them pursue a business of their own?

Here is where it gets interesting. If most of the companies we have here are more interested in taking the available jobs in this country and just give it away to other countries like Taiwan, India, Pakistan etc....what will be left for YOU...or for the 533,000 that are now out of work. If your skill set trained you to work for a job that is now not only not in your state, but in your COUNTRY....What is your PLAN B?

I work in the health care field. Whats funny about this field is that SO many of the people I speak to are just....comfortable. Yes health care is still an area where there will always be need. The way I see it is that if a bad economy, a credit crunch, failing housing market can impact the country as a whole, waiting around is NOT what anyone should do. It will only be a matter of time before something starts to threaten this area to. In fact, something will. According to what I have read, by the year 2010, just a year away, the 1st 83 million baby boomers will be hitting retirement age. If they can afford to or not, a great deal of them will start to strain the medical system and social security as we have all known it would. What will the government do then? If you thought Social Security would be there when YOU retire...THINK AGAIN!! Will the government GIVE you a bailout for your financial troubles? Will you have money to afford health care? I wont belabor the point.

As this country and the businesses therein continue to give our jobs away to make or save more money, where will you be? Can you develop a new skill set to work for yet ANOTHER job. Will you WAIT till the government decides to help you? Do you STILL think you are ENTITLED to anything other than your personal rights??? It is time to TAKE ACTION for yourself.