US Economy Forecasts

Travis Ellis asked:


There is a debate about how to achieve oil independence. Should we increase drilling in America and off our shores, should we reduce consumption, should we build more refineries, should we explore alternative energy sources, should we legislate greater fuel economy for our vehicles or do we attack the problem by working on all the solutions?

Most Americans want us to become energy independent as soon as possible while some still resist more drilling at home. And so the political debate continues. Whether we drill more, build more refineries, develop alternative energy sources or increase the fuel economy of our vehicles will depend on our legislators reaching some compromise and passing new law as the current laws restrict most of the solutions. As our politicians continue the debate, the price of oil continues to rise. American families struggle with the rising cost of gasoline, food and other commodities. And our economy is in a mess.

Private sector scientists have been researching vehicle fuel economy for many years. Most of this research has been conducted by automobile companies. We have seen the miles per gallon for cars gradually increase over the last decade.

Now an independent research firm has developed two devices that you install on your vehicle that will greatly increase the miles per gallon of your current vehicle. The most effective device is called the PICC or Pre-Ignition Catalytic Converter. All cars today have a catalytic converter as a part of the exhaust system. Its function is to break down large gas molecules not burned by the engine into much smaller particles that are then consumed in the exhaust pipe to reduce the harmful emissions into the air. In a revolutionary design, the PICC is installed so the gas flow through the PICC before it gets to your engine. The PICC works similarly to the existing catalytic converter. It breaks down the gas molecules to their most elemental state called plasma. This plasma is then fed to your engine. Plasma burns much more efficiently and cleaner that gas. This added efficiency has been proven in research on actual vehicles to increase the gas mileage 9 times that of gasoline. Can you even imagine that. Vehicles equipped with a PICC are getting well over 100 miles to a gallon of gas. Some are getting almost 200 miles to the gallon. The PICC works on passenger cars, SUV’s, pick-ups and all vehicles new or old. Converting your gas to plasma creates a cleaner burning fuel which will extend the life of your motor and it significantly reduces greenhouse gasses emitted into the environment as well. This product will pay for itself and put extra money in your pocket.

The PICC is custom manufactured to your vehicle’s specifications when your order. The company also offers another product called the HAFC or Hydro-Assist Fuel Cell. This is a kit that is ready for you to install in your car while waiting for your custom PICC to be manufactured. The HAFC is guaranteed to increase your gas mileage by at least 50 percent. Some vehicles have seen an improvement in their gas mileage of up to 300 percent.

These two revolutionary products the PICC and the HAFC are now available to the general public. You can be the first in your neighborhood to have one. Don’t delay. You owe it to yourself and your wallet to investigate these 2 amazing products. You can reduce your gas budget, help our environment and lessen our dependence on foreign oil. The products are guaranteed so you have nothing to lose and so much to gain.

Stephen Harvey Jr. asked:


Outsourcing or off sourcing is a new trend among companies that operate and facilitate operations out of the United States. These companies use outsourcing as a way to cut costs and use cheaper labor by subcontracting to foreign companies or setting up offices in foreign countries. This takes away much needed jobs from the American economy. The decision to outsource is often made in the interest of lowering firm costs, redirecting or conserving energy directed at the competencies of a particular business, or to make more efficient use of labor, capital, technology and resources.  . Business segments typically outsourced include information technology, human resources, facilities and real estate management, and accounting. Many companies also outsource customer support and call center functions like telemarketing, customer services, market research, manufacturing and engineering.

 

Outsourcing is not the only way that companies cut costs though. The other way that these companies shift jobs away is by becoming offshore companies. Offshore Outsourcing is when a company takes its business to another country and sets up operations outside its main office. The companies choose to move certain aspects of their business to developing countries where wages and labor are cheaper.  Many of these Outsourced and offshore jobs go to young people in those developing countries who look for placement in their country’s job sector. For Example, Dell Computers is based, owned and operated in the U.S but will choose to outsource jobs and create offshore jobs in its customer service and call center departments. This allows Dell to get more “bank for their buck” by eliminating the wage restrictions of the U.S and hiring cheaper labor.  This move cuts costs to the company while still addressing the needs of the consumer.

 

As the outsourcing and offshore job practices are becoming more common among these large corporations and conglomerates that reside in the United States, the United States economy is suffering and beginning to feel the effect behind the corporations’ cost cutting maneuvers. Instead of those same jobs being offered to the American public, they are quickly shifted to a developing country in need of a new job market. Places such as India and England are now benefiting from these corporations’ decisions to move elsewhere in search of cheaper labor. 

On the other hand, it is a common rule of business to attempt to keep costs at a minimum and all the while to raise capital. It allows for the company to grow at a more rapid rate.   When companies keep labor costs down, they are able to use the additional resources in the operating budget.

Offshore jobs and outsourcing can also be detrimental to the economy that gets involved with such practices because the outsourcing can be in flux unless kept to a strict contract or agreement. Moreover, a company can decide to move to another developing country at any time and set up business and resources for even cheaper labor and training.

 

Off-shoring is not popular among the private sector because it takes jobs away from the American People.  While Americans fight to maintain and keep jobs, it is also up to the Government to make sure that these companies don’t take their business elsewhere in search of cheaper labor and lighter labor regulations. Many business people might dispute this but I believe that the government must regulate these companies in order for our economy to thrive. If the government doesn’t determine fair labor practices than companies would be able to set any standard they want for their employees.  It all revolves back into the economy which allows for more jobs to be created instead of being placed elsewhere.  It is the job of the Government to make sure the economy is steady for the livelihood of the country. If there is no governing board or regulations to oversee company’s business practices then there would be no success in the economy. Every company would possibly be monopolies and set standards way above and or below means. The companies that base operations out of off-shore locations do not worry about labor regulation or practices. This allows the companies to overlook the integrity and policies of the company in favor of profits. For Example, the Great Depression that plagued the United States during the latter part of the 1920’s and early 1930’s was brought along by the reckless judgment of companies and investors.  Companies were allowing money to be poured into stocks of companies and precious metals. Then, when companies pulled their interest in those stocks and precious metals the stock market crashed causing consumers and companies to lose vast amounts of money.   The government had to step in and make sure that this never happened to the American economy. The government setup regulatory institutions such as the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC act of 1934) to make sure the public interest were protected.

 

Is the outsourcing of jobs the cause to blame for our slow economy? You cannot say for sure but it has something to do with it. When there are fewer jobs for the American people, there is less money being spent on goods, services, and items that fuel the American economy.  These multinational corporations also impact the offshore locations where they set up operations. Companies such as Dell and Microsoft use off shoring and outsourcing to cut the costs but they pump money back into those countries allowing the countries’ people to spend the money they earn on the products and services the companies provide. Outsourcing and off-shoring can be a way of companies and corporations’ to expand their capital and revenue.  If done correctly, outsourcing can be a benefit.  However, Outsourcing especially to other countries can hurt the American economy and the American people.

This year is a pivotal year to the livelihood of a World Power and Economic Power, which is the United States. There has been a lull over the economy for the last eight years with the Nation’s overwhelming aptitude for taking on debts as result of funding downtrodden wars. The year 2008 marks a race for a new face in the oval office. With this being an election year, there are two candidates vying for the position: Barack Obama (democrat) and John McCain (republican). These two opponents are ready to tackle the nation’s economic problems head on, albeit in different ways. Obama feels that we should rebuild the nation from the ground up, meaning from infrastructure (highways, roads, airports etc.) to the oval office. Obama has already put his plans in motion by introducing the Patriot Employer Act of 2007 to provide a tax credit to companies that maintain or increase the number of full-time workers in America relative to those outside the US; maintain their corporate headquarters in America; pay decent wages; prepare workers for retirement; provide health insurance; and support employees who serve in the military. (Barack Obama)

Obama’s competitor John McCain has a similar plan in place. According to JohnMcCain.com, “John McCain Will Reduce The Federal Corporate Tax Rate To 25 Percent From 35 Percent. John McCain believes the taxes we impose on American companies should be no higher than the average rate our major trading partners impose on theirs. We currently have the second-highest combined corporate-tax rate in the industrialized world, and it is driving many businesses and the jobs they create overseas.” (JohnMcCain)

This is what little each candidate has to offer regarding the outsourcing of jobs and a plan to prevent the American economy and worker to succumbing jobs to outsourcing. I’m sure there will be more said and more developments as we get closer to Election Day. Hopefully, either candidate can turn the outsourcing trend around while creating more jobs for the American people.

 

 

David Smith asked:


If you own a powerful car and you drive enthusiastically, you’re probably not going to be blessed with marvellous fuel economy. However, there are various steps you can make to lower the amount of gas you use on any journey without driving like a miser. This article only majors on the most effective methods of reducing fuel consumption, if you need more tips please do a search on Google – there is a plethora of information out there…

Keep your car well maintained

Following the correct service intervals will keep your car running efficiently. New air filters will allow the free flow of air necessary for efficient fuel combustion, clean fuel filters provide a steady stream of petrol to the cylinders, and shiny new spark plugs will provide the spark needed to set the whole thing off. A thing of beauty! They key here is the efficient burn of the fuel air mix, which will allow more power to be extracted from a set volume of fuel. A new air filter alone could increase fuel consumption up to 10%.

Tyres

Underinflated tyres need more energy to roll. Keeping the pressures at the correct level can increase economy by up to 3.5%. Specialist fuel saving tyres are also available, although these may not perform so well on the track! Properly inflated tyres are also key to providing optimum levels of grip, so it’s worth checking periodically.

Gears

Using higher gears won’t give you lightning acceleration but will save fuel. Keeping your revs low (but not so low that your engine starts to struggle) is a good habit to get into when cruising. If you have a “Sport Mode” on your auto transmission, turn this off, as this will hang onto low gears for longer and may even prevent changing to the highest cog.

Accelerate hard to save fuel?!

A British automotive engineering consultancy claims to have unearthed proof that putting your foot down hard on the accelerator can actually be more fuel efficient than driving more conservatively.

“It sounds totally counter-intuitive — and it is,” admits Cousins. The key to saving fuel, he says, is to accelerate hard until the engine reaches 2000 rpm, move up a gear, then put your foot down until you reach 2000rpm again. It’s all to do with internal friction. “Put simply, with your right foot down on the accelerator, the engine is working at its most efficient,” says Cousins. Above 2000rpm the benefits diminish and you start using more fuel, not less.

Here’s the really interesting thing: in tests carried out in a Citroën C1, one of the most fuel-efficient cars, Cousins’s driving technique proved 8.5% more efficient than the “eco-safe driving” style promoted by the Department for Transport (http://www.dsa.gov.uk — search for eco-safe). The government’s official driving method — taught to all UK learner drivers and now included in the driving test — encourages drivers to save fuel by using the accelerator pedal only lightly.

Source: http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/

Dr Steve Cousins should know what he’s talking about – he was project leader for the Axon Automotive Caterham 2R which achieved 131 miles per gallon in UK Shell Eco-marathon, and is one of the world’s top researchers into fuel economy.

Accelerate gently to save fuel

Although there may be evidence that accelerating hard to 2000rpm could save you fuel, accelerating to the red line in every gear will certainly not. In general, try to keep a constant speed where possible by judging potential reasons to slow down in the road ahead and react to them, avoiding rapid changes in momentum. If you’re slowing down and accelerating the whole time, fuel bills will go through the roof.

Speed

The faster you go, the harder it is to propel your vehicle through the air. This means that a small decrease in cruising speed could provide fuel economy benefits. The UK’s Department of Environment claims that every 5 mph you drive over 65 mph will provide a 7% decrease in fuel economy.

Incidentally if you believe these figures, at 130 mph on the autobahns of Germany, you’ll be using 91% more fuel than at 65mph. At 150, you’ll actually be getting negative miles per gallon, and you’ll arrive at your destination younger than when you started!

For more driving tips, please visit DrivingFast.net

Vladimir Gonzalez asked:


Mexico Economy

Despite the fact that Mexico has a well-developed and stable economy in general, there is still an obvious difference between the rich and the poor, the north and the south, as well as between urban and rural areas. These differences will continue to grow unless they are taken care of. The percentage of population in extreme poverty has decreased between 2000 and 2004, but income inequality remains a problem. This inequality problem needs to be attended in order for Mexico to improve its economy and avoid political and social instability.

Mexico’s GDP passed the trillion-dollar mark in 2004. Therefore, it has become one of the major middle-income countries that have an advanced economy. It is the 12th largest economy in the world and, according to the World Bank, and it has the highest Gross National Income per capita in Latin America. Goldman Sachs’ recent study of emerging economies predicted that by 2050 Mexico will hold one of the largest economies in the world, alongside China, United States, India, Japan and Brazil. As for the Mexican Peso, its exchange rates are high, therefore the country has the highest purchasing power parity of the countries in Latin America.

In 1994, Mexican economy was put to the test, but it has recovered and now it is modern, diversified, with recent administrations improving infrastructure. Moreover, there is intense competition in seaports, railroads, telecommunications, airports, electricity generation, as well as natural gas distribution.

Mexico is part of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), so almost 90% of Mexico’s export goes to the United States and Canada, while 65% of the country’s imports come from these two. Mexico is in agreement with the European Union, Japan, Israel and other countries in Central and South America as well, making it an important part of international trade, as it is the 15th largest exporter in the world, 10th if the European Union is considered a single entity. When it comes to Mexico’s largest source of foreign income, oil holds first place.

Mexico’s main concerns are keeping interest rates and levels of inflation low, although, like other countries, Mexico was affected by rising prices in oil, food and commodity in 2008. The infrastructure needs to be improved as well. The industry is a combination of businesses that are advanced technologically speaking and industries that are in need of reform, with the private sector taking up an increasingly important role in agriculture and industry as well.

Further reading on EconomyWatch.com:

Overview of Mexican Economy

Imports and Exports of Mexico

Economic Structure of Mexico

Hendrik Pohl asked:


With all the concern over the economy, one thing that people keep talking about is the job market. Especially young men and women that are still in preparation to enter the job market a few years from now might be concerned with what the future may hold for them. If you are currently in school and want to ensure a stable profession to pay off all those accumulated school loans, the information below might be of help. Knowing what industries are in demand, and where people are looking for skilled employees are two very important factors to consider for planning a successful future.

Ten of the fastest-growing occupations

Do any of the fields interest you? If yes, your future is looking bright. Even though pay is important, make sure you find a profession that you are passionate about. After all, a career and profession is a large part of your life. You want to pick an area that is of some interest to you and that you are excited about.

Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst

1. Salary: $46,000 range

2. Bachelor’s degree needed

Personal and Home Care Aide

1. Salary: Under $20,000

2. No college education required

Home Health Aide

1. Salary: Under $20,000

2. No college education required

Computer Software Engineer

1. Salary: $46, 000 range

2. Bachelor’s degree needed

Veterinary Technologist or Technician

1. Salary: $20,000 - $30,000 range

2. Associate degree needed

Personal Finance Advisor

1. Salary: $46,000 or more

2. Bachelor’s degree needed

Makeup Artists for Theater

1. Salary: $30,000 - $45,000 range

2. Postsecondary vocational needed

Medical Assistant

1. Salary: $20,000 - $30,000 range

2. No secondary education needed

Veterinarian

1. Salary: $46,000 range

2. Professional degree needed

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor

1. Salary: $30,000 - $45,000 range

2. Bachelor’s degree needed

Best U. S. cites to find jobs currently

Do any of the cities interest you? In general it is advisable to pick a geographic location that you can see yourself living in for the long run. If you love to ski for example, and are interested in technology, then you are in luck. Salt Lake City would just be perfect for you.

1. Salt Lake City, Utah (for technology related jobs)

2. Atlanta, Georgia (for transportation, distribution and financial service jobs)

3. Indianapolis, Indiana (agricultural related jobs)

4. Omaha, Nebraska (financial services and agricultural related jobs)

5. Seattle, Washington (aerospace and global trade related jobs)

Cities with lowest unemployment rate:

Low unemployment rate is usually a good indicator of a regions economic prosperity. A low unemployment rate is a good sign that the demand for skilled workers is larger than the supply. Any of the cities below would offer good opportunities for job seekers.

1. Sioux Falls, South Dakota (2.4% unemployment rate)

2. Rapid City, South Dakota (2.5% unemployment rate)

3. Idaho Falls, Idaho (2.5% unemployment rate)

4. Bismarck, North Dakota (2.6% unemployment rate)

5. Houma, Louisiana (2.7% unemployment rate)

6. Morgantown, West Virginia (2.8% unemployment rate)

7. Logan, Utah (2.8% unemployment rate)

8. Fargo, North Dakota (2.9% unemployment rate)

9. Casper, Wyoming (2.9% unemployment rate)

10. Billings, Montana (3% unemployment rate)

Knowing what you want to do and what geographic locations are most prosperous for you is half the battle. The second part is to be proactive in your job search. Don’t expect people to come looking for you. Instead go out and prospect for your dream job just like you would going shopping for some new clothes. Gather information about different companies in your field of interest, find out who is in charge of hiring, and send out your resume. The more resumes you send out the higher the probability that you will get a call back for an initial interview. It is simply a numbers game! Last but not least: Keep a positive attitude and never take a rejection personal.

Jo Mark asked:


As the economy weakens, many people look to start their own online business to bring in extra money. If you are thinking about starting an online business, your first question is usually where to start looking for ideas. But the answer is simple; base your online business on your own interests and talents. Chances are, if you are interested in a particular subject, there are probably others who have the same interest.

While you are determining the subject of your online business, write down ten words or phrases that people would use to search for items and information related to your business. Then, enter those words into Google’s keyword tool. This will tell you how many people are searching for information that is related to your online business. The more people searching for your information, the better your odds of success.

Then you have to determine what products you are going to offer. Will you be offering physical products or digital ones? Are you going to develop your own products or sell someone else’s? These are all questions you have to answer before opening your online business.

Will you use a website or a blog to offer products to your customers? If you are not familiar with html (the computer language used to build websites), you may be better off using a blog. Blogs do not require you to know any specialized computer language to get started. If you can type, you can use a blog. It is very simple.

But the next step is the hard part; getting people to visit your site. This is where most businesses fail. In order to bring sustainable traffic to your site you should use several different sources. Many people write articles to bring in traffic. This technique is free and works well if you can write at least one article a day. Posting on large Forums can also be an effective free technique to bring in traffic.  And finally, using ads can be effective, but this tactic will cost you some money. Regardless of which traffic building techniques you decide on, you must do it consistently.

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ajax asked:


American economy is experiencing yet another boom and bust cycle. History is repeating as America faces situations similar to the Great Depression of the 1920’s. Economic breakdowns like stock market crash, unemployment, real-estate crash and high-rentals are the most notable and attention-seeking features. Most part of this highly volatile situation is because of badly regulated markets and the fall of highly reliable banks like Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. America’s economic slowdown has also triggered similar effects in many Asian and European nations and inflicted extensive damages on many financial institutions across rest of the world.

Swift actions on the part of the US Federal Reserve have protected banks and to some extent have prevented the nation’s financial crisis from tumbling over. In spite of necessary bailouts given to financial organizations; housing and financial markets still bear the brunt of the sudden fall. And most importantly, American household issues are barely addressed anywhere in the schemes so far. But the recently held Presidential elections have promised a turnover from the current state of affairs. The government did act responsibly is some cases by introducing social security and unemployment benefits; but they are insufficient to enforce a drastic change in the nation’s economy.

After the advent of social collaborations on the Internet, social issues like financial and economic situations are widely discussed nowadays. There are discussion forums that allow the user to express his concern and also to create an opinion poll on any topic or subject. Since Internet has dissolved international boundaries, we can also see active participation from different nationalities, expressing their opinions and views.

Social networking can be used as a facilitating factor to improve the all-round awareness on the financial conditions and also to provide useful tips to users on debits, credit cards and insurance. Users can lead discussions and also cast votes for the most preferred and viable financial solutions. Through collective support for a common cause, these sites can enable positive changes and also provide mutual comfort during these troubled days.

To recover and stabilize from this point is a very long process. While governments and economy can take a few months, families may need more time to overcome personal losses. But, American economy and the citizens in particular have learnt a lesson or two through this year long struggle to make ends meet. Using appropriate facilitators like Internet and media, a positive change can be reinforced, not only providing solace to themselves; but to all other nations who have been hit by this economic slowdown.

 

 

jumphigherglobal asked:


Germany as an economic hub

Germany is one of the most highly developed industrial nations in the world and, after the USA and Japan has the world’s third largest national economy. With a population of 82.3 million Germany is also the largest and most important market in the European Union (EU). In 2007, Germany’s gross domestic product (GDP) totaled EUR 2.42 trillion, which translates into per-capita GDP of EUR 29,455. With an Export volume of EUR 969 billion or one third of GDP in 2007, Germany is the biggest exporter of goods worldwide, and as such is considered to be the “export world champion”, more of a global player than almost any other country and more strongly linked to the global economy than many other countries.

Most recently, the German economy has seen a robust upturn, growing 2.5 percent in 2007. The increase in corporate investments was especially pronounced at 8.4 percent. The economic growth, stimulated by factors both inside and outside Germany, sparked a reduction in the number of registered unemployed. Economic policy has improved the overall conditions and companies have sharpened their competitive edge. Thus, ancillary wage costs have been reduced, the labor market made more flexible and red tape slashed.

An attractive location for foreign investments

Germany is one of the most attractive countries world-wide for International investors. On an international country comparison, Germany does especially well as regards R&D, skill levels and logistics. Moreover, it enjoys a central geographical position, offers strong infrastructure, legal certainty, and the right workforce. The labor force’s high level of qualifications is seen as an important plus point. Around 80 percent of employees have undergone formal training and only 20 percent hold the degree from a higher education institutes or university. The “dual system” for vocational training provides the bedrock here, combining on-the-job and college training, a policy which results in the well-known high standard of education.

Technology leader in many sectors

Germany is one of the leading nations regarding numerous technologies of the future that have exceptional growth rates. These include bio-technology, nano-technology, IT and the numerous high-tech divisions in individual sectors (aviation and aerospace, electrical engineering, logistics). Companies specializing in environmental technology (wind energy, photovoltaic power and biomass generation) have emerged as front runners. Today, Information and communications technology follows car-making and electronics engineering as the third largest economy’s sector. As per to genetic engineering, Germany is second to the United States worldwide and already has cutting edge in numerous fields of nanotechnology.

The key industrial sectors

The key industrial sectors are car-making, electronics, mechanical engineering and chemicals. As is the case in all western industrial nations, for several years now German industry has been in the midst of structural transformation. Some traditional industries (steel, textiles) have in partly shrunk considerably in recent years, with target markets now elsewhere and strong pressure from lowwage countries, or, as in the case of the pharmaceuticals industry, through M&As have come under foreign ownership.

Successful: Germany in the global economy

Given its high level of exports, Germany is interested in open markets. The most important trading partners are France, the USA and Great Britain. In 2006, goods and services worth EUR 85 billion were exported to France, EUR 78 billion to the USA and EUR 65 billion to Great Britain. In addition to trade with the original European Union member states, since the EU’s expansion eastwards (2004 and 2007) there has been a pronounced increase in trade with the east European EU member states. In total, a good ten percent of all exports go to these countries. The importance of trade and economic relations with emerging nations in Asia such as China and India is growing continually.

Economic system: Performance and social balance

Germany is a Social market economy. This is other strong reason why Germany enjoys a high degree of social harmony, something reflected in the fact that labor disputes are so rare here. On average between 1996 and 2005 the work force went on strike for on just 2.4 days per 1,000 employees and thus less than even Switzerland, which saw 3.1 days of strikes. The social partnership of trade unions and employer associations is enshrined in the institutionalized settlement of conflicts as outlined in the collective labor law. The Basic Law guarantees the social partners independence in negotiating wages, and they accordingly have the right themselves to select the working conditions.

All the latest information about Germany economy is available at German Information Centre. So if you are interested in knowing about Germany economy please visit at German Information Centre.

John Parks asked:


When the Obama administration takes office in January, it has promised to hit the ground running with a job stimulus plan that will start moving the economy forward. It’s a good idea, and certainly not without precedent, since many believe the Works Progress Administration (WPA) of the 1930’s was instrumental in keeping many in valuable jobs creating some of our nation’s finest public works and monuments. This program employed 8 million workers from 1935 to 1943, and anyone was eligible to take the WPA jobs. The hourly pay was at local labor rates.

While most of the talk about the job stimulus plan centers around building a greener energy infrastructure and fixing crumbling bridges and highways, who is likely to benefit? The new administration wants to create 3 million jobs, but those workers are going to be mainly in the engineering, construction, energy, and financial sectors. Even though that leaves out the important sectors of retail, and services, workers all across the board stand to benefit from the job stimulus plan, no matter how it takes shape.

The jobs in the sectors that the Obama administration wants to create have high multipliers. That’s a term that means for every job created for engineers, two or three jobs might be created in a related or unrelated field. A real life example is to look at home building. When home building was at its peak, the construction workers were by and large making good incomes, which allowed them to buy things. The demand for products was high, so manufacturers added workers. Those products had to be sold in retail stores, so stores were able to add staff.

When the construction industry stopped building as many homes due to the credit crisis, the construction workers were laid off, and they stopped buying. Manufacturers stopped making things to sell, so retailers had to lay off workers. And that’s what the Obama administration wants to reverse. They want to create a job stimulus plan that will have a positive ripple effect throughout the entire economy.

Their plan is not clear yet, but historically, jobs that are in the sectors that they are targeting almost always create new jobs. Employment in these sectors usually pays quite well for almost everyone involved. As these individuals find new jobs, they will start spending their money on things, which will set the recovery in motion. And it’s not just spending for their homes and families. It’s the spending that will be required to fix those bridges and highways, and build those solar panels and wind turbines.

As the effect of the job stimulus plan begins to be felt at local levels, the increased revenues will eventually trickle across the entire economy, and gradually, the country will come out of this deep recession, which is the greatest benefit of the using federal dollars to stimulate the economy. It’s been done before, and history has proven that it works, so let’s hope that the job stimulus plan happens quickly, and some of that money can be put to work creating more opportunities, better roads, and cleaner energy.

For more information on the job stimulus plan, visit http://jobstimulusplan.com.

Josh Greenberger asked:


Well, we all know what’s happening. Major corporations are folding, people are losing their jobs, houses are being foreclosed on in record numbers, people who’ve never needed public assistance now do, and our overall standard of living is declining on a daily basis.

No one knows where the bottom is, or how long a come-back will take, if that ever happens. Some of the companies who made our great, vibrant economy what it once was, either no longer exist or are in serious financial trouble.

We’ve tried just about every trick in the book; reducing interest rates, bailouts and stimulus packages. Nothing’s helped, despite the best efforts of our greatest financial analysts and wizards.

The question is: What’s really happening to our economy?

If you went to the same restaurant for years, ate great food and came out feeling fine, then, as the restaurant deteriorated you kept coming out sick after every meal, would you think your ailment stemmed from this restaurant? Of course. Would you have to be a doctor or virologist to come to this conclusion? Certainly not. All you’d need is a half a brain.

What’s the one other thing in our society that’s been deteriorating in lock step with and in almost the exact same proportions as our economy?

Ethics and morality.

Even diseases are sometimes tracked down through nothing more than logical associations. It was that initial connection between Legionnaires’ Disease and the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, for example, that eventually led to the source of Legionnaires’ Disease.

If we were to track down what’s ailing our economy in the same way scientists track down some diseases, moral and ethical decay would stick out like a soar thumb. And you don’t have to be a religious person to make this connection.

We’ve been through recessions and depressions before, but nothing like this one. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, Sunday, September 14, 2008: The depressed state of our economy is a “once in a half century, probably once in a century, type of event.”

If our moral values of yesteryear, when the economy was relatively stable, were far superior than they are today, and our moral values today, when “coincidentally” our economy is in a state of unprecedented upheaval, are at an unprecedented low, you think there might be a connection? There seems to be no other common thread.

Strangely, our predicament has an eerie resemblance to a story in the Bible — Adam and Eve getting kicked out of the Garden of Eden and their standard of living radically reduced. I’m not saying there’s a connection; that would be ridiculous. But you have to admit the resemblance is uncanny, albeit our circumstances are on a much larger scale.

What sets today’s decadence apart from that of yesteryear is that some decadent behavior today is no longer seen as wrong. In some cases, people are even proud of their decadence.

There’s probably little need to point out the areas in which morality and ethics have declined in recent years; I’m sure we can all come up with lists. But I would like to point out two areas that epitomize the problem.

Having babies out of wedlock is no longer the shame and stigma it once was. In the 1950s a movie or rock star who had a child out of wedlock created a scandal. Today, it’s announced with beaming pride. It even turns into a delightful guessing game — who’s the father? The lack of outrage by the public shows how ingrained this acceptance has become among Americans.

I understand, we live in a more enlightened age and we’re a whole lot smarter then previous generations. We certainly can’t go back to those ignorant days of yesteryear.

But if we’re so much smarter and more enlightened, how come we can’t figure our way out of the deep financial mess we’re in? This is not being facetious; this is a legitimate question. People who are smarter are usually able to figure out things that less intelligent people can’t — that’s what intelligence is. Many previous generations lived in relative comfort and luxury; we’re losing homes, jobs, nest eggs, worrying about putting food on the table, and we can’t figure out how to get out of it. Are we really smarter, or has our arrogance simply led us to blindness and stupidity?

The other glaring difference between today and years gone by is the widespread acceptance of homosexuality as just another lifestyle. What’s worse, gays have parades proclaiming how proud they are of their decadence. If you told someone only 50 years ago that this would one day be the case, they’d laugh in your face.

And the public’s attitude toward this? “Well, everyone’s got their rights.”

First, I find the public’s acquiescence to this abomination absolutely mind-boggling. Gays will have a parade anywhere they can swing it. Should you object on the basis that you don’t want your family or kids exposed to this, it’s doubtful gays would give a rat’s you know what. Gays will selfishly push their agenda on you, your family, your kids, your kids’ schools, whenever and wherever possible, regardless of how you feel about it and regardless of your right to bring up your family as you see fit. And the average American is okay with this?

This is just weakly caving in to others’ demands. If such behavior were imposed on us by a tyrant government, we’d be up in arms. But if it’s an “enlightened” perversion, that’s okay.

Gays have all the rights other citizen have. They can get jobs, start businesses, rent apartments and get (traditionally) married, like everyone else. We do not need laws to accommodate the lifestyles of people who like sleeping with the same sex, sheep or inflatable dolls. And we certainly don’t need them pushing their perversions down our throats.

The public’s acceptance of this abomination, with the often heard words, “They have their rights,” is little more than gutless, spineless passivity. We have as much right to our lifestyle as they think they have to theirs.

How would you feel about a parade through your neighborhood of fathers and daughters or mothers and sons who are proud that they live together as couples? Probably not very supportive.

How about if they were all consenting adults, didn’t hurt anyone, were so happy together, and just wanted to bring up a normal, loving family together? You’ve got to admit, these are some pretty noble intentions. To most Americans, though, this probably wouldn’t make much of a difference.

Aren’t we just a bunch of intolerant bigots and hatemongers — we have so much hatred and intolerance for fathers, mothers, sons and daughters?

Could this be an issue of morality? Well, what’s morality?

That’s a good question: what is morality, anyway? What makes one thing immoral and another thing, like washing dishes, for example, not immoral. After all, incest — among consenting adults, of course — has the potential of bringing blissful happiness to some family members. Washing dishes, on the other hand, only goes so far in bringing happiness to another family member. So shouldn’t incest be more moral than washing dishes?

The answer is that morality has nothing to do with what makes you happy or how noble your intentions are. Morality was not invented by humans. Morality has no other origin but the Bible. Accepting any traditionally immoral act as “moral” essentially does away with the entire system of morality, since there is no discernable difference between their underlying principles.

Homosexuality has always been around. But what makes it so galling today is that what has been traditionally considered an abomination has turned into an acceptable lifestyle, and supporting it has turned into a “noble” cause. How perverted has our society become?

In light of what we consider acceptable today, it makes one wonder how Sodom and Gomorrah got such a bad wrap.

Of course, you’ll always find people who don’t believe in this Biblical stuff. But what surprises me is how many people do believe in God yet never entertain the thought that what they do — in terms of right and wrong — has a direct impact on the events in their lives. God is not part of our democracy; He didn’t ask you if you want to be born, He won’t ask you when it’s time to go, and He obviously didn’t ask anyone when it was time to bring prosperity levels down a few notches.

A correlation between the decline of ethics and morality and the collapse of our economy is hard to deny. Sure you can attribute our economic problems to corporate or governmental mismanagement and go into the intimate details of what mistakes CEOs or officials made. You didn’t expect God to come down with a bunch of angel/accountants to throw things out of kilter, did you? The way it unfolded is the way it happens.

A belief in God and the basic tenets of the Bible alone do not make for a religion. We don’t have to worry that having laws based on Biblical values will make for a “government-sponsored religion.” Using time-tested principles to lay down the foundation for a society is as practical as collecting taxes.

Societies that frown upon Biblical values, like Communist states, for example, will usually allow themselves to perpetrate gross human rights violations, in many cases killing people with little more concern then killing animals.

On the other hand, when the Bible’s tenets are perverted, you can wind up with “religions” that condone murder. Neither the Ten Commandments nor the Old Testament (the root of most major religions) sanctions murder.

The seeds for our current decline were planted as far back as 1962, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Union Free School District No. 9 in Hyde Park, New York, had violated the First Amendment by directing the Districts’ principles to cause the following prayer to be said aloud in class: “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country.”

Isn’t it ironic that things have gotten so bad today that it seems as if the only one who can help us is God? It’s almost as if God is talking to us. Maybe we’re just not listening.

The way I see it, we have the choice of fighting either one of two battles. We can fight the battle to save our economy, which we’re already fighting, in futility. Or we can fight the battle to restore previous levels of ethics, morality and integrity. The difference is, if we win the latter, we win both battles; there’s a scriptural axiom: Do God’s will, and He will do yours.