re (repost from 1/2/09)

The new year is bringing in interesting commentaries from people in different economic situations. People in the depths of despair who have had their retirement funds cut in half, or their real estate value drop by 20 percent. The hardship articles and interviews concentrate on the millions who will have to somehow find a way to live on less in the coming years. Stress is in the form of people concerned about their jobs, overleveraged homes, and retirement that was supposed to lead to luxury. Experts are trying to convey how to manage that stress and save money.
It is the saving money concept that is creating the extreme hardship for people in communities who own the businesses. Most businesses are people who do not get paid, and losing their job is the equivalent of people trying to save money on what they provide. They do not have retirement funds or health plans. It is amazing to me how consumers who have salaries walk into places of business commanding services from people who earn a fraction of the consumer's salary. Yet, the provider is perceived to be one who can afford to give things away. The media provides "expert" advice without consideration that the collective result of their advice will create havoc for fellow citizens who are already in dire straights.
News flash to a public seemingly uninformed about who really owns Amercan businesses. You are eliminating jobs when you justify unethical consumer behavior. Unethical behaviors such as returning used goods, changing price tags, and negotiating with known untruths in an attempt to get more and more for "less" are collectively making products and services less available. The affects on smaller businesses are obvious. However, unethical consumer behavior is now becoming the death of jobs at even the largest companies. Unfortunately, the jobs most affected are the ones paying $10 an hour.
I find interviews communicating hardship because assets have declined from $2Million to $1M insulting to millions of people who do not have any assets. The people who have $62 in their bank account trying to find rent for the next month. It is an indictment against a culture when it thinks of their wealth that was made on asset bubbles, who now have hardship because their wealth has declined. That is not hardship. Hardship is when you have $62, and someone who has wealth tries to make you feel like you are screwing them by charging them $25 for cutting their grass, or cleaning their windows. Sometimes, the insult comes in the form of someone walking into an artists studio who wants a piece of art. The insult is in the form of "I am willing to hang your art" in my house. I do shows around the world, but I would be priviledged to let you take one of my paintings for nothing. Hmmm. Finding a deal as reached unethical levels in our culture, and this is having a profound impact on the economy. This is prevalent in our culture!

(c) kenneth martin