Ombow,
>>I want to add something to my post to food4thought. Yes, unions have gone way overboard. As one example, the UAW made it so that Japanese cars, which were also better built, were less expensive than cars coming out of Detroit. The high wages of union workers are detrimental to the American automobile industry and add on costs to the American consumer to pay for their exorbitant wages, health insurance, and pension benefits.
Similarly, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, construction industry, etc., unions add on exorbitant costs to public and private companies who in many instances are forced to hire union employees, which costs are then passed on to the taxpayer and general public.
Government workers', hospital workers', etc. unions have also added on to the burdens of the taxpayer and general public. It's an untenable financial system which is bound to ultimately have negative repercussions for the American economy as a whole.<<
With all of the above, I fully agree.
Regarding my customers, it is my responsibility to trim costs and create value and market that to the public in order to get people through my doors. Nothing the government can do will help this with the exception of a direct stimulus check to the masses. You are right, sensing that people will remove dining out as an immediate way to save money. However, what you don't understand is that I buy bulk wholesale and still almost can put a better than homemade meal for about the same price as someone paying grocery store retail and turning on their stove. There are ways in all sorts of economies to make money. Again I will take my chances. I cherish every customer and provide, in my personal opinion, a far better product and service for the price of my competitors. On a daily basis I strive to improve.
I do understand that our current economic state was due to a lack of regulation and was contributed to by greedy ceos and bankers. My comments do not apply to those individuals or corrupt ceos of publicly traded companies. They should all be imprisoned. There will always be Bernie Madoffs of the world. My comments refer to the honest and hard working members of this country. Yes there is strength in numbers and the masses may change the direction of this country, I'm simply looking out for myself and my family during these difficult times. That in my mind is fending for myself.
Regarding the welfare family, that was my point. They choose to depend on the government to survive rather than finding any means necessary t be self supportive. I think people should be thrown out onto the streets and forced to learn about birth control if they cannot afford to support their own family. Would you like America to resemble Africa? History shows that high unemployment rates drive up the birth rate. Wow, that is about as senseless of a statement imaginable. If the government would stop supporting these reckless births maybe people would quit having children they cannot afford to raise. I'm not asking for a knee jerk change in the current system, I'm simply stating that this mentality is destructive to our society.
>>You apparently believe in the dog-eat-dog philosophy. It doesn't matter if you screw the other guy as long as you make it. Greed is good. The heck with fairness. No, we are all in this together, and it is only when we realize that what is good for one is good for all, and what is good for all is good for one, that we have any hope of getting things right.<<
I don't see how fairness plays any role in your argument. I think it is more than fair that the individuals that take the risk reap the reward. If anything I think the laws protect the lazy and manipulators of the system. That in my mind is unfair to the working class. Why should I work my tail off everyday, invest my own hard earned dollars, create jobs for countless people(I employee about 100 part and full time workers), only to be taxed at a higher rate because more people choose to sit on their ass rather than go out and find work. I'm not screwing anybody so I'm not sure where you get that impression. If anything I'm being screwed by the system. I'm not greedy, I work for what I have and feel I deserve the fruits of my labor. There is nothing greedy about that. Greed is hoping to pump a stock in order to make a quick buck. Be careful where you point your finger.
>>"I alone will determine my fate on this planet." You really don't.<<
I fully respect your commitment to your religion. Although I was raised Catholic, I unfortunately cannot join in on your enthusiasm of that religion. You see I lived across the street from our church as a lad in a small unincorporated community and without getting to graphic, I can simply say that our priest did many bad things to many young men. And when he was discovered, he was simply transfered to another church out of state. As an alter boy, I was lucky enough or unconsciously shrewd enough to thwart off his advances. This priest was brash enough to call my home and ask my mother to have me over for private tutorials. Thankfully my mother respected my wishes when I told her that I wouldn't go. Had she not, I may be a far more damaged individual than I already am. So religion plays no part in my life. I do have a belief in a higher power and do have spiritual faith. I treat people as I wish to be treated but that has no significance on how I manage my business. I've been duped and conned by charities and employees throughout the years as a businessman. I've learned to not trust the words of a stranger. Everything I do now, I do with extreme diligence. If you believe your god put those young boys in the hands of that priest, then your god is a sick and demented being. So it does appear that I will alone determine my fate. I won't wait for an act of god to save me or the government to lend a slippery hand when times get tough.
When I say good luck to you , I genuinely mean it.
