What We All Can Do to Help the Economy

A friend, now retired, worked at State Farm Insurance for 30 years and knew a lot about the company's history. I remember her commenting "State Farm used to be a good place to work. People were kind and helped one another." Then she told me a story about Ed Rust, Sr., retired CEO. During the Great Depression, Ed Rust Sr. called a meeting of all employees and told them if everyone would agree to a pay cut, he would not lay anyone off work. Amazingly, all agreed. Ed Rust, Sr. kept his promise. While many other companies cut workers during the Great Depression, not one worker was laid off at State Farm.

Talk about caring for your fellow man, and a lack of greed! On the other hand, today we have shortsighted companies, eager to make even bigger profits, shipping much of the work overseas to take advantage of cheap labor and less regulation. And union bosses, more concerned with cuts in spending for themselves than saving jobs,sell individual members out "for the good of the whole." Some might say union workers are overpaid. However, compare their wages to what top executives at many American companies make. It has been said "Well if we cut executives' salaries, they will go elsewhere. And we will have a brain drain." Oh, really. Well, where were those same executives' brains when they drove their companies into bankruptcy? Is it really about brain drain or the fact that the executives know too much about the dirty dealings of companies.

If you find yourself in financial straits because of buying expensive cars, clothes, etc, would it not make more sense to cut back on the most expensive items to save money, than to cut the least expensive? I am not saying get rid of the executives (unless they have been fiscally irresponsible, or unethical), but how about asking them to take a pay cut. I really don't see that anyone needs several million dollars a year to survive. If they have to sell a vacation home or not take as many vacations, big deal. The common man is losing his home, his car, his life savings and living day to day to survive.

People scream "It's free enterprise. We can't change that." And, I ask why not? If something isn't working, why stick to it. If your children are misbehaving, you curtail their freedom until they prove they are trustworthy. If they refuse to obey rules and laws, you practice tough love. You place them in a rehabilitation center or if they are of an age where they don't have to listen to you, you kick them out. The same should be true for companies and governments.

So, my suggestions: 1) Place import taxes on goods made overseas by American companies 2) Cut all executives' salaries 3) Cut the perks 4) Reward companies with state and federal funds for opening factories or stores in the USA and hiring Americans (stipulations would be required). 4) Cut politicians' perks. 5) Voters should insist on transparency in spending for all public officials-start a petition, contact your leaders. 6) Close the borders to immigration. We have more than enough people without letting more in who need jobs. This would also help control terrorism. 7) Cut the waste in government offices and government institutions. For example, do we really need a million dollars in tax money to study the mating habits of frogs or to figure out why elementary school children are obese. I'm not a mathematician, but I would say the answer to obesity is obvious--input > output.

During the Great Depression, many found themselves unable to support themselves. In the USA, President Roosevelt's Workers Program of America (WPA), funded with taxes, saved many from starvation. I believe that to be a wise use of taxpayer money.

Economies, both in the USA and other countries, suffer due to globalization. To paraphrase an old saying, "The rich have become richer, and the poor have become poorer." Because of job losses many of the middle class have quickly gone from middle class to poor. Take care of your own citizens first, then help people in other countries. This should be the motto of all countries.

It just all seems like common sense to me.