Socio-economics

To continue my earlier discussion on the "plight" of the American "middle class"...here are two issues which considerations do need to be reviewed:

The consumer mentality of "more for less", ("Walmart culture"...) ignores the fact that "free" economy is by no means cost free. What it merely means is that... if one is not paying for it, someone else is. China provides the goods... along with reported cases of pollution, child labor, etc. Can we blame China? Not entirely, as long as we continue to demand and buy their lower priced goods while exercising a blind eye to the consequential intangible costs. As consumers, we hold a significant key in ensuring that social and economic conscientiousness are not lost in the new global "free market" economy.

The other, is the impatient desire to accomplish material gains sooner than one is prepared for. The contention should be that if one doesn't even bother to spend time to enjoy and share a new gain, what value would added gains have. The "nouveaux riche" have neglected the "petit bourgeois"... the latter even more so in ignoring those at the bottom of the economic ladder. At this time, disregard the thought of giving hand outs. I'm instead trying to imply the idea of providing due opportunities to others just as one has been given. As one moves up in the earnings hierarchy, time becomes constrained. The fact is, regardless of acquisitions and stature...we remain to all each have twenty-four hours a day, no more no less. If you no longer have the time to neaten your own home, then employ those who provide such services, and pay for them according to "what the value of the services is to you... rather than to those who provide them"... What generally happens instead, is the increasingly condescending approach when it comes to giving compensations. Indeed, the practice needs some thought...

http://leonardo-dottedlines.blogspot.com/2008/04/economy-personal-finance.html