Spend More Money, America Needs You!

It's funny I should come across this article today, I have been thinking about this very thing for some time and was waiting for someone brave enough to come out and say it. Thanks AP for the article, "Americans' saving more, spending less" by MARTIN CRUTSINGER, and it's so very true.

Of course over 70% of our economy is based on consumer spending and considering everything that has happened in the last year, it is understandable that Americans would be a little more than freaked out about our economic prospects in the next few years and would want to start saving as much money. How could you not feel like that? Everytime you turn on the news, or read the newspaper, it is littered with terrible economic news, layoffs, bailouts, bankruptcies, it's hard to not get emotional about it. Unfortunately, if we are to stave off what could be a very horrible and prolonged recession, we must do the opposite of what seems to make the most sense, we must spend our money.

Now don't get me wrong. I was one of those who scoffed at the idea of President Bush telling us to spend our money after 9/11, and while it does seem to be a very macabre idea, he was right, although one could argue he could have made his case with a little more finesse and charm.

When all of us stop spending our money all at the same time, what happens to the rest of the economy? What happens to the 70% of the economy that is now trying to figure out how to keep their doors open. Not only were retailrs dealing with an economic downturn months in the making, what happens when people essentially stop spending all together? More layoffs, business closings, bankruptcies.

It will only get worse and more prolonged, unless of course, we start to behave like we would on any other February when things are good. We must spend for the good of the country folks. Spend now, and spend a lot.

Alright, you don't need to spend a lot, but quitting cold turkey isn't helping things either. We need to be more considerate of where we spend our money. We need to be thinking about our small businesses, our local businesses, the ones who are not getting billion dollar bailouts.

These businesses were the ones who felt the economic downturn first, when our elected officials continued to ignore please and warnings from those who felt it first. They are the ones that impact our economies the most. Small businesses, dollar for dollar, have the most significant impact on our economy, not because they are huge, but because they are so many.

What kind of things should we start thinking about when we are shopping? How does this business affect the local economy? Do they pay fair wages? Do they support other local companies? Are they sustainable?

These are the kind of questions we need to be asking, whenever we are shopping. It's not that there is something wrong with capitalism, it's that we have been rewarding businesses who lie, cheat, and steal for too long. We have been supporting businesses who are not interested in the longterm impact on their community or their environment. We need to support businesses who are interested in their impact on their community and environment, and their longterm sustainability.

It's not just about making a buck, it's about a system that rewards great ideas and products, not those who know how to work the system best.

Street Fashion, The Sartorialist

I have always had a thing for fashion. Secretly of course, I am a fashionista. Here is a fantastic new blog I came across today that has been around since 2005, and it captures fashion when it should be captured, on the street. Check out The Sartorialist for some great fashion on the street.