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In an article written and published by Ed Crooks on January 6, 2011 entitled “America: Riveting Prospects,” he writes about why companies in America are opposed to exporting. To summarize his article, showcased is the Middle River Aircraft systems plant where the world famous Rosie the Riveter, during the second World War, represented the millions of women that joined the manufacturing workforce making the industry a power house, and compared it to today’s meager offerings. The plant that is now owned by GE, although still thriving has faced some tough times through the years. Although weathered by the storms, the president of GE’s aircraft parts division has hope for a brighter future.

Although some political leaders and some American businesses also have hope in rebuilding growth and employment based on manufacturing, production, exporting and earnings and less on construction, consumption, importing and debt, leaders of some of America’s largest manufacturing companies feel.

That it will be a long hard road to rebuild production in the U.S. GE’s chief executive Jeff Imelda, however, shares with Andrew Liveries of Dow Chemical the dream of restoring industrial America to greatness, especially with unemployment at 9.8 and rising. Liveries have even written a book on the topic of how to be competitive on a global basis, “Make It in America: The Case for Reinventing the Economy.”

Ed Crooks, however, claims that many U.S. companies, overall, has issues with exporting. Although the world offers many opportunities and America is seeing some of the benefits with emerging markets in China, India and Brazil and creating everything from a-z, Barry Bosworth of the think-tank. Brookings Institution, states that although the U.S. is similar to other developed countries in importing, we are very poor when it comes to exporting manufactured goods. Other industry executives agree that the problems with U.S. manufactures run deep. Ed Crooks has given five reasons to support his view and I summarize them as follows. Cornerstonekb

American industries are not familiar with selling internationally. According to the chamber of commerce, only one percent of U.S. Companies participate in exporting and 58 percent of those companies only export to one other company. Dexterblock Who wants to be a president; the President of the United States? Social Security reform is the winning ticket. Research supports the thesis that Social Security reform would provide all the lubrication necessary to get our economic ball bearings rolling in the right direction. Economies do not grow, or increase employment, when job providers are taxed and regulated unmercifully, throttling their energy, creativity, and profitability. Jacobevans Consumer spending pushes the economy; we need to do more than hand out a few hundred bucks. The objective of the exercise, Barack, is to permanently place more disposable income in consumers’ wallets while providing incentives for employers to hire more workers. There are three areas where the impact of reforms would be beneficial to all, irrespective of political sentiment. slothero99

Social Security reform would benefit the most people, most quickly. Next on the list, Hillary, would be elimination of income taxes (federal, state, and local) on: (a) all forms of retirement income, and then, (b) all forms of investment income. Third, and particularly important for job creation, John would be the elimination of all income taxes and nuisance fees on businesses. Timeoutjeans Social Security will be the easiest to implement quickly while producing unprecedented increases in disposable income, business cost reductions, and job growth. Here’s a rough outline of a brainstorming plan. Throw out the politics and focus on the program— phase one deadline, January 1, 2010. Carson cartridge

Change Social Security funding to a mandatory, private program, for all employed persons, and add a voluntary program for those who are not employed. All employees would contribute to deferred fixed annuities, purchased from new divisions of qualified financial institutions. Existing Social Security credits would be the initial deposit to the contracts for all participants under age 60. Who wants to be a president; the President of the United States? Social Security reform is the winning ticket. Research supports the thesis that Social Security reform would provide all the lubrication necessary to get our economic ball bearings rolling in the right direction. Economies do not grow, or increase employment, when job providers are taxed and regulated unmercifully, throttling their energy, creativity, and profitability. Consumer spending pushes the economy; we need to do more than hand out a few hundred bucks. Easycigs

With the economy in the dumper and new commercial construction virtually non-existent a good many subcontractors and construction laborers are likely to consider becoming residential renovation contractors. Historically a large percentage of residential renovation contractors are unqualified, inexperienced and underfunded even in a good market. Most subcontractors who have made their living in their niche of the construction industry are well qualified for their particular discipline but horribly unqualified to handle an entire project.

 Most are good at what they do but cannot deligate or handle other people effectively. Undoubtedly we will see roofers, plumbers, mechanical contractors, carpenters and even general laborers from the previously booming commercial and new residential construction market begin to tout themselves as general contractors. dnipro24

 In the arena of new construction (especially commercial) many states now have fairly comprehensive testing required before someone can become a general contractor. In the residential renovation market this is often not the case. Instead, virtually anyone can go to the appropriate municipality’s licensing office, pay a small fee and become a contractor. Is it any wonder there are so many horror stories? Many of these “rogue contractors” have honest and good intentions. Rumor has it that there is a road somewhere paved with such things.

How do you, the innocent homeowner, know who is qualified and who is not? First of all, do not pursue any situation where you feel that you are being pressured into hiring someone. Remember that you are the buyer and they are the seller. In other terms, you are profit and they are overhead. Secondly, disregard all of the verbal pleasantries and polite sales pitches. Obviously it is important to be polite and professional but be stern in insisting on names, addresses and phone numbers of past clients or customers for whom this party has done similar work. At the same time realize that nobody will ever knowingly give you a referral which will be negative. If the referrals are general contractors (i.e., previous employers) and/or if the projects referenced are not similar to your intended project it is a good idea to find someone else without wasting more of your time. You are about to spend a good bit of money on your project and you don’t want to finance someone’s learning curve.

 

 

Art and Politics examines how the combination can be detrimental to the integrity of the artist and to the quality of art produced by a culture as a whole. Art and politics in my view are like mixing oil and water. Granted that many old master paintings would depict political or religious themes. I always send you best their sponsors were either church or state. That was not the painter’s primary objective though, as evidenced by the quality of their works. If their objective was only to produce propaganda on behalf of their benefactors, we would not have the exquisite paintings hanging in the world’s museums today that convey transcendence over subject matter, suggesting the sublime universal answers to human existence. I trust you bro haha  to produce propaganda the artist must subordinate his personality and artistic theories to that purpose. The old masters were painting for the purpose of their own understanding of the world and of art. Gpton My first college level art class was taught by a young professor who distributed to the class, although not as required reading and distributed innocuously, the writings of Chairman Mao on Art. Was it a subtle form of indoctrination? Probably and I am glad to have dumped them in a waste basket where they belonged. Bastababae

The point being is that art is a powerful medium which those with political aspirations or already in power, want to manipulate toward their own ends. Totalitarian regimes will attack art and artist upon their seizing of power and dictate an aesthetic afterwards that would serve as a propaganda tool to further their political ends. Filinvestinnovationparks The results are barren cultures such as Nazi Germany or the former Soviet Union from which not one significant work of art was ever created. Agentsentral Art for art’s sake is an idea I subscribe to. If the purpose of a work of art is subordinate to an agenda it becomes an illustration. A means to an end such as a Madison Avenue advertising campaign promoting soap or the next dictator. Empower

On the way to work this morning I was listening to two people on the radio go on and on about the economy and unemployment. Their contention was as soon as the economy starts to grow again companies will begin to rehire employees and unemployment will drop. Htalkasia I was just starting to agree with what they were saying when I noticed the garbage truck in front of me. It was at that point I begin to realize that the garbage truck epitomizes the economy and the state of modern business. Sportsentro I am not talking about our economy being in the trash nor am I saying that business is going to the landfill. That is an argument that has more political overtones to it than I care to debate. For this discussion let’s focus on the garbage truck. Worldheadlinesph Do you remember your typical garbage truck picking up trash in your residential neighborhood several years ago? In our community it involved a large garbage truck, one driver and two people riding on the back. Adtechph Then the economy went through a small downturn and the garbage companies had to make changes to economize and stay profitable. To do this they restructured their organization and downsized which resulted in one of the two trash handlers on the back of the truck going through an economic layoff. Adventumph

To make this new corporate structure succeed they sent notices to all their customers limiting the number of trashcans that could be placed curbside on trash day to two cans.  As the economy continued to stumble and the garbage companies struggled to make a profit for their investors they had to look at other cost cutting measures. Foodbizacademy The next major change came with the customers receiving notice that the garbage pickup days were being reduced from 2 days per week down to one day per week but the limit of 2 trashcans per pickup remained. Savethenetbooks Then the economy collapsed and the garbage company had to take drastic cost cutting steps to continue operation. They supplied each of their customers with a special standardized garbage can which could be picked up by a special automated garbage truck. Orchidhotel Now the only person needed on the truck was the driver. The result was the last of the trash handlers being unemployed. Now as the economy starts its slow change from a failing economy to one that is beginning to show signs of growth do you thinks the garbage company is going to rehire the trash handlers they laid off. Skv-nn

When the garbage company begins showing strong profits will they increase the days of pickup? They have learned to operate more efficiently, doing the same amount of work using less resources and cost. The United States has been in a recession since December, 2007, as defined by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a private, nonprofit research organization. But the American people, and the Obama administration along with the democrat majority congress, seem to be at odds on how to fix the US economy. A robust US economy means companies expand which results in job creation. Currently, the American people are not spending because many are not working, and those who are working are spending less, most likely due to the possibility of losing their job. Current unemployment rate stands at 10.2% as of October, 2009. A decrease in spending by the American people results in a decrease in company profits, company non expansion, and more layoffs. Reporting on a survey by Watson Wyatt, a consulting firm, the HRSpecialist.com reported in November of 2008 that one-fourth of U.S. employers plan to have staff reductions during the following calendar year. We are now seeing this come to fruition for 2009.

Over the past 15 years I have had the privilege of travelling to China on a regular basis and have witnessed the fantastic economic miracle that has seen the transformation of China into a modern economy. kyiv365

Cities such as Shanghai and Beijing have been literally transformed in less than a generation into gleaming cities that inspire awe in those that have seen this transformation. In almost all areas of the economy China has transformed itself into an industrial powerhouse and for all intensive purposes has caught up with the west in many critical areas.

In contrast to this continued and seemingly unending economic miracle the last decade has seen the United States first battered by September 11th then a series of costly wars. On the domestic economic front a series of unending economic problems. Thegaltimes

 A decade ago the bursting of the first internet stock bubble gave us a first taste of things to come. The last near global meltdown brought about by the US housing bubble and leading to the worst recession since the great depression has shaken confidence and led to considerable speculation as to the structural decline of the US.

As this article is going to press it is august 2011 and the latest US crisis the artificial and political crisis brought about by the debate about the government debt ceiling has heightened the sense of malaise. The feeling that America is now becoming more dysfunctional both politically and economically. While a political deal has been struck there is a growing sense that things cannot continue and will likely get worse before they get better.

There is no drought that the United States is facing some troubling problems with respect to the economy.

In both the short term and the long term America has many challenges that it will have to face. So far it must be said that it is not doing a particularly good job of facing these challenges and the politics of the US currently does not inspire any degree of confidence.

With respect to China similarly there have been many years of uninterrupted growth and truly outstanding successes. In this article I neither wish to dwell on the success of China nor the problems facing the United States.

When it comes to the game economy in Guild Wars 2, there are 2 main currencies in use: the primary being coins which is made up of gold and its different units while guilds make use of influence. Texasinjuryaccidentlawyers  Influence is used for buying upgrades and what not for guilds and is a necessity for joining group fights as well as Pp. The gold counterpart is the main currency and thus could also be used to purchase influence.

Influence is not as difficult to obtain as it may seem. It can be earned via in both player versus environment (Pave) fights and player versus player (Pp.) events. Hrviews Gamers can also earn influence by accepting guild invitations as well as if they are online during an attendance check. All sorts of political upgrades which may include guild emblems, buffs, party items or guild armors can be bought by using influence. Other than that, the Art of War upgrades which are more or less buffs for world versus world events are also obtained by way of influence. Other guild upgrades that make use of influence are economy and architectural upgrades.

As for the main Guild Wars 2 currency, it is made up of three units: bronze, silver and gold, with gold being the largest form. Throughout the game, gamers will find that gold is a necessity in order to smoothly progress to the level cap. Bfd There is several ways to earn gold, the most common of which is by killing mobs in Pave settings and looting. Other means of earning gold include completion of game events, selling away items to NPC vendors, filling a heart meter and of course by way of trading goods with other gamers.

As players progress through the storyline, they will find that more and more gold are called for to get higher level weapons, in order to purchase upgrades, repair armors as well as for teleportation. Sailskill Players with more gold at their disposal will find that the leveling progression to the level cap automatically becomes faster. For obvious reasons, gold is used for teleportation, teleportation in itself avoids lengthy playtime wasted on traveling on foot between destinations.

More gold also means the ability to reset trait points more often, never having to have second thoughts about repairing broken attire, purchasing expensive items from vendors or trading away with other players. All of these, in combination enables the richer gamer to quicken the leveling up time, be it by way of better weapons to reap in experience points from taking down mobs. Prompted

Suppose if we live in the time of Smith, in the middle of the 18th century, when people began to study political economy. Many discussions on the production and distribution put emphasis on social tasks. Ownincabohomesearch For traders said that should decide ‘right price’, to not require to take interest on loans and to perform various social tasks such as caring for the poor and those with limited opportunities. Traders operating differently from these social norms often punished for the reason that they put their personal interests above that of other people. Ownincabosanlucas Smith and his colleagues studied and presented that although a businessman is affectionate by personal interest, often his actions are in the interest of others. Nowadays it is called the invisible hand theorem. Owninsanjosedelcabo Which means that in the system of private property the individuals are attracted by an invisible hand to advertise the interests of others even though they actually act for their personal interest? To act for personal interest means that you are doing only choice regarding interests, and desire that you have. Palmillahomesforsale If you desire to help others, and then this choice is in your personal interest. People are attracted by personal interest, whatever they are: consumers, teachers, businessmen, employees, voters, politicians or public officials. Palmillarealestateforsale Desires of an individual do not change with his movement to another work or job position. Assume that a businessman who has been successful as a director of a large company change workplace and it is appointed as head of a public institution. Pedregalrealestateforsale

Can be found in this case any reason to believe that this individual will change its character? Now the work conditions under which the individual work will change, and this of course will be accompanied by some changes in his behavior. Puertoloscaboshomesforsale In politics, this approach is motivated in the same way as motivated in business a simple idea. It is part of our common sense. Individuals engaged in business, just like other people around, often sacrifice their welfare interests for of others. Puertoloscabosrealestateforsale But of course not to excess the normal logic. In this context, people expect that authorities to do the same thing. The important point of this discussion is to show how these individuals are charitable. Querenciaresidencesforsale However be charity feeling size it will always have different views of who should help and who really belongs to take help.

When it comes to the game economy in Guild Wars 2, there are 2 main currencies in use: the primary being coins which is made up of gold and its different units while guilds make use of influence. Quivirahomesforsale Influence is used for buying upgrades and what not for guilds and is a necessity for joining group fights as well as Pp. The gold counterpart is the main currency and thus could also be used to purchase influence. Influence is not as difficult to obtain as it may seem. It can be earned via in both player versus environment (Pave) fights and player versus player (Pp.) events. Searchcabohomesforsale

Gamers can also earn influence by accepting guild invitations as well as if they are online during an attendance check. All sorts of political upgrades which may include guild emblems, buffs, party items or guild armors can be bought by using influence. Searchcabosanlucasrealestate

Other than that, the Art of War upgrades which are more or less buffs for world versus world events are also obtained by way of influence. Other guild upgrades that make use of influence are economy and architectural upgrades. Sellcabo As for the main Guild Wars 2 currency, it is made up of three units: bronze, silver and gold, with gold being the largest form. Throughout the game, gamers will find that gold is a necessity in order to smoothly progress to the level cap. Sellcabohomes There are several ways to earn gold, the most common of which is by killing mobs in Pave settings and looting. Other means of earning gold include completion of game events, selling away items to NPC vendors, filling a heart meter and of course by way of trading goods with other gamers. Sellincabo

As players progress through the storyline, they will find that more and more gold are called for to get higher level weapons, in order to purchase upgrades, repair armors as well as for teleportation. Sellingcabohomes Players with more gold at their disposal will find that the leveling progression to the level cap automatically becomes faster. For obvious reasons, gold is used for teleportation, teleportation in itself avoids lengthy playtime wasted on traveling on foot between destinations. Sellingcabos More gold also means the ability to reset trait points more often, never having to have second thoughts about repairing broken attire, purchasing expensive items from vendors or trading away with other players. Sellingloscaboshomes

All of these, in combination enables the richer gamer to quicken the leveling up time, be it by way of better weapons to reap in experience points from taking down mobs. One of the first things to keep in mind is that an economic system is not a money system. A money system is part of the economic system, but economy is so much more. Sellingloscabosrealestate An economy is about how the resources of a world are exploited and how the wealth created by that exploitation is spread around. Closely related to the economic system is the political system because that describes how the people that deal with all this wealth and activity are organized, and the two are always closely tied together. Villasdelmarforsale

 As human history has shown there are many, many ways to organize both economic systems and governments. What is important to your believability is internal consistency. For example: suppose you have taken time to describe a Stone Age family living in a grass hut by the beach as part of a Stone Age village. Yourcabo

The United States has been in a recession since December, 2007, as defined by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a private, nonprofit research organization. But the American people, and the Obama administration along with the democrat majority congress, seem to be at odds on how to fix the US economy. Chilenobayrealestateforsale A robust US economy means companies expand which results in job creation. Currently, the American people are not spending because many are not working, and those who are working are spending less, most likely due to the possibility of losing their job. Chilenobayresidencesforsale Current unemployment rate stands at 10.2% as of October, 2009. A decrease in spending by the American people results in a decrease in company profits, company non expansion, and more layoffs. Cielomarbella Reporting on a survey by Watson Wyatt, a consulting firm, the HRSpecialist.com reported in November of 2008 that one-fourth of U.S. employers plan to have staff reductions during the following calendar year. We are now seeing this come to fruition for 2009. Clubcampestreforsale

Improvement being defined as two consecutive quarters where we do not have negative growth in the GDP (gross domestic product). The following is what we call the Steps to Economic Improvement. Coveclubhomesforsale These are steps for consideration which hopefully result in a healthy bipartisan discussion between our elected congressman and their constituency. These steps may result in non-recessionary growth of the US economy. Eldoradorealestateforsale You may or may not agree with these steps, but at a bare minimum, these are points to consider, and ideally result in a healthy discussion with our elected congressmen, which at last check, is one of the unchanged notions of a free democratic society. Esperanzaforsale The first step is to realize that it is business and not government that creates jobs and wealth within the American society. This is where we believe is the heart of the problem. It is evident that the Obama administration believes it is government that will lead Americans to economic prosperity. Findloscabosrentals

This is why the federal government has put forth a $780 billion stimulus package. So where is this money really going. Let’s take a look at the breakdown. Suppose if we live in the time of Smith, in the middle of the 18th century, when people began to study political economy. Many discussions on the production and distribution put emphasis on social tasks. Fourseasonscaboforsale For traders said that should decide ‘right price’, to not require to take interest on loans and to perform various social tasks such as caring for the poor and those with limited opportunities. Traders operating differently from these social norms often punished for the reason that they put their personal interests above that of other people. Fourseasonscaboresidencesforsale

Smith and his colleagues studied and presented that although a businessman is affectionate by personal interest, often his actions are in the interest of others. Nowadays it is called the invisible hand theorem. Fourseasonsloscabosforsale Which means that in the system of private property the individuals are attracted by an invisible hand to advertise the interests of others even though they actually act for their personal interest? To act for personal interest means that you are doing only choice regarding interests, and desire that you have. Homesincabosanlucas If you desire to help others, and then this choice is in your personal interest. People are attracted by personal interest, whatever they are: consumers, teachers, businessmen, employees, voters, politicians or public officials. Lasventanasforsale Desires of an individual do not change with his movement to another work or job position. Assume that a businessman who has been successful as a director of a large company change workplace and it is appointed as head of a public institution. Lasventanasresidencesforsale Can be found in this case any reason to believe that this individual will change its character? Now the work conditions under which the individual work will change, and this of course will be accompanied by some changes in his behavior. Luxurycaborealestateforsale In politics, this approach is motivated in the same way as motivated in business a simple idea. It is part of our common sense. Individuals engaged in business, just like other people around, often sacrifice their welfare interests for of others. Luxuryinbaja But of course not to excess the normal logic. In this context, people expect that authorities to do the same thing. The important point of this discussion is to show how these individuals are charitable. Luxuryloscabosrealestate

However be charity feeling size it will always have different views of who should help and who really belongs to take help. Maravillarealestate Over the past 15 years I have had the privilege of travelling to China on a regular basis and have witnessed the fantastic economic miracle that has seen the transformation of China into a modern economy. Maravillaresidencesforsale

Cities such as Shanghai and Beijing have been literally transformed in less than a generation into gleaming cities that inspire awe in those that have seen this transformation. In almost all areas of the economy China has transformed itself into an industrial powerhouse and for all intents and purposes has caught up with the west in many critical areas. Owncabo In contrast to this continued and seemingly unending economic miracle the last decade has seen the United States first battered by September 11th then a series of costly wars. On the domestic economic front a series of unending economic problems. Owncaborealestate

On the way to work this morning I was listening to two people on the radio go on and on about the economy and unemployment. Their contention was as soon as the economy starts to grow again companies will begin to rehire employees and unemployment will drop. Forsalecaborealestate I was just starting to agree with what they were saying when I noticed the garbage truck in front of me. It was at that point I begin to realize that the garbage truck epitomizes the economy and the state of modern business. Homesofcabo I am not talking about our economy being in the trash nor am I saying that business is going to the landfill. That is an argument that has more political overtones to it than I care to debate. For this discussion let’s focus on the garbage truck. Ownincabohomes

Do you remember your typical garbage truck picking up trash in your residential neighborhood several years ago? In our community it involved a large garbage truck, one driver and two people riding on the back. Then the economy went through a small downturn and the garbage companies had to make changes to economize and stay profitable. Ownincaborealestate

To do this they restructured their organization and downsized which resulted in one of the two trash handlers on the back of the truck going through an economic layoff. To make this new corporate structure succeed they sent notices to all their customers limiting the number of trashcans that could be placed curbside on trash day to two cans. Ownincabosanlucasrealestate

As the economy continued to stumble and the garbage companies struggled to make a profit for their investors they had to look at other cost cutting measures. The next major change came with. Owninloscabosrealestate The customers receiving notice that the garbage pickup days were being reduced from 2 days per week down to one day per week but the limit of 2 trashcans per pickup remained. Then the economy collapsed and the garbage company had to take drastic cost cutting steps to continue operation. Pedregalhomesforsale They supplied each of their customers with a special standardized garbage can which could be picked up by a special automated garbage truck. Now the only person needed on the truck was the driver. Querenciahomesforsale The result was the last of the trash handlers being unemployed.  Now as the economy starts its slow change from a failing economy to one that is beginning to show signs of growth do you thinks the garbage company. Querenciarealestateforsale

Is going to rehire the trash handlers they laid off? When the garbage company begins showing strong profits will they increase the days of pickup? They have learned to operate more efficiently, doing the same amount of work using less resources and cost. Quivirarealestateforsale

 The United States has been in a recession since December, 2007, as defined by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a private, nonprofit research organization. But the American people, and the Obama administration along with the democrat majority congress, seem to be at odds on how to fix the US economy. Cabocondosforsale

A robust US economy means companies expand which results in job creation. Currently, the American people are not spending because many are not working, and those who are working are spending less, most likely due to the possibility of losing their job. Cabodelsolhomesforsale

Current unemployment rate stands at 10.2% as of October, 2009. A decrease in spending by the American people results in a decrease in company profits, company non expansion, and more layoffs. Cabodelsolrealestateforsale Reporting on a survey by Watson Wyatt, a consulting firm, the HRSpecialist.com reported in November of 2008 that one-fourth of U.S. employers plan to have staff reductions during the following calendar year. We are now seeing this come to fruition for 2009. Cabodelsolresidencesforsale The United States has been in a recession since December, 2007, as defined by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a private, nonprofit research organization. But the American people, and the Obama administration along with the democrat majority congress, seem to be at odds on how to fix the US economy. Cabogolfhomesforsale A robust US economy means companies expand which results in job creation. Currently, the American people are not spending because many are not working, and those who are working are spending less, most likely due to the possibility of losing their job. Cabogolfresorts Current unemployment rate stands at 10.2% as of October, 2009. A decrease in spending by the American people results in a decrease in company profits, company non expansion, and more layoffs. Reporting on a survey by Watson Wyatt, a consulting firm, the HRSpecialist.com reported in November of 2008 that one-fourth of U.S. Caboluxurycondos

 Employers plan to have staff reductions during the following calendar year. We are now seeing this come to fruition for 2009. Improvement being defined as two consecutive quarters where we do not have negative growth in the GDP (gross domestic product). The following is what we call the Steps to Economic Improvement. Cabosanlucascondos These are steps for consideration which hopefully result in a healthy bipartisan discussion between our elected congressman and their constituency. These steps may result in non-recessionary growth of the US economy. Cabosearch You may or may not agree with these steps, but at a bare minimum, these are points to consider, and ideally result in a healthy discussion with our elected congressmen, which at last check, is one of the unchanged notions of a free democratic society. The first step is to realize that it is business and not government that creates jobs and wealth within the American society. This is where we believe is the heart of the problem. Caperesidencesforsale

 It is evident that the Obama administration believes it is government that will lead Americans to economic prosperity. This is why the federal government has put forth a $780 billion stimulus package. So where is this money really going. Chilenobayhomesforsale

Art and Politics examines how the combination can be detrimental to the integrity of the artist and to the quality of art produced by a culture as a whole. Art and politics in my view are like mixing oil and water. Granted that many old master paintings would depict political or religious themes. their sponsors were either church or state. That was not the painter’s primary objective though, as evidenced by the quality of their works. If their objective was only to produce propaganda on behalf of their benefactors, we would not have the exquisite paintings hanging in the world’s museums today that convey transcendence over subject matter, suggesting the sublime universal answers to human existence. to produce propaganda the artist must subordinate his personality and artistic theories to that purpose. The old masters were painting for the purpose of their own understanding of the world and of art. My first college level art class was taught by a young professor who distributed to the class, although not as required reading and distributed innocuously, the writings of Chairman Mao on Art. Was it a subtle form of indoctrination? Probably and I am glad to have dumped them in a waste basket where they belonged.

The point being is that art is a powerful medium which those with political aspirations or already in power, want to manipulate toward their own ends. Totalitarian regimes will attack art and artist upon their seizing of power and dictate an aesthetic afterwards that would serve as a propaganda tool to further their political ends. The results are barren cultures such as Nazi Germany or the former Soviet Union from which not one significant work of art was ever created. Art for art’s sake is an idea I subscribe to. If the purpose of a work of art is subordinate to an agenda it becomes an illustration. A means to an end such as a Madison Avenue advertising campaign promoting soap or the next dictator.

On the way to work this morning I was listening to two people on the radio go on and on about the economy and unemployment. Their contention was as soon as the economy starts to grow again companies will begin to rehire employees and unemployment will drop. I was just starting to agree with what they were saying when I noticed the garbage truck in front of me. It was at that point I begin to realize that the garbage truck epitomizes the economy and the state of modern business. I am not talking about our economy being in the trash nor am I saying that business is going to the landfill. That is an argument that has more political overtones to it than I care to debate. For this discussion let’s focus on the garbage truck. Do you remember your typical garbage truck picking up trash in your residential neighborhood several years ago? In our community it involved a large garbage truck, one driver and two people riding on the back. Then the economy went through a small downturn and the garbage companies had to make changes to economize and stay profitable. To do this they restructured their organization and downsized which resulted in one of the two trash handlers on the back of the truck going through an economic layoff.

To make this new corporate structure succeed they sent notices to all their customers limiting the number of trashcans that could be placed curbside on trash day to two cans.  As the economy continued to stumble and the garbage companies struggled to make a profit for their investors they had to look at other cost cutting measures. The next major change came with the customers receiving notice that the garbage pickup days were being reduced from 2 days per week down to one day per week but the limit of 2 trashcans per pickup remained. Then the economy collapsed and the garbage company had to take drastic cost cutting steps to continue operation. They supplied each of their customers with a special standardized garbage can which could be picked up by a special automated garbage truck. Now the only person needed on the truck was the driver. The result was the last of the trash handlers being unemployed. Now as the economy starts its slow change from a failing economy to one that is beginning to show signs of growth do you thinks the garbage company is going to rehire the trash handlers they laid off.

When the garbage company begins showing strong profits will they increase the days of pickup? They have learned to operate more efficiently, doing the same amount of work using less resources and cost. Happycoin  The United States has been in a recession since December, 2007, as defined by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a private, nonprofit research organization. But the American people, and the Obama administration along with the democrat majority congress, seem to be at odds on how to fix the US economy. A robust US economy means companies expand which results in job creation. Currently, the American people are not spending because many are not working, and those who are working are spending less, most likely due to the possibility of losing their job. Current unemployment rate stands at 10.2% as of October, 2009. A decrease in spending by the American people results in a decrease in company profits, company non expansion, and more layoffs. Reporting on a survey by Watson Wyatt, a consulting firm, the HRSpecialist.com reported in November of 2008 that one-fourth of U.S. employers plan to have staff reductions during the following calendar year. We are now seeing this come to fruition for 2009.