We have the power...

by Tuesday 10 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Tuesday

  In watching this lunacy in the Senate of the Auto-Makers asking for a bail out essentially because they didn't listen to consumer demand (and flying in on private jets then talking about cutting "needless expenses" oh the irony), I'm starting to realize just how much power the average joe has.

  Think about this, six months ago I was paying $4.30 per gallon on gas. I DRASTICALLY cut my driving. I used to fill up every week, now due to cutting my driving habits I fill up every 2 and 1/2 weeks. Today I paid $1.92 per gallon. I'm assuming that large portions of the population also cut their driving as well.

  In the case of these Auto-Makers, America decided they wanted cars with better gas mileage and that were safer. The average joe has literally bankrupted some of the biggest companies in the world.

  I can't help but wonder if more information was given to the average person out there on how much power they have what else could be changed? If people start demanding and only buying local produce would that effect the large distributers of fruits and vegetables? Would that effect the large chain stores as well? Certainly if people decided to primarily eat at local restaurants he that would effect the bottom line on alot of the chain places. If people stop applying for credit cards and strictly work their their debit cards or pay cash for their expenses would that effectively bankrupt the credit card companies? Would it cause them to drastically cut interest rates? Most importantly if people en masse started voting for independent candidates would that effect the two political parties?

  So what do you think? Is the power truly in the people's hands? Can we shout like He-Man "I HAVE THE POWER"? Or am I completely off in my assessment?
• 

  shamus100

  It's hard to say what the best solution is - let them rot, or help them out. It feels good to say let them lie in the bed they made for themselves. But what would the cost be?

  I'm pretty ignorant on the ramifications of letting them go belly-up.
• 

  beksbks

  I say help them with total oversight, and cut the salaries of the top dogs down to what a worker makes. It is after all a loan, and comes out of the previous 700 billion.
• 

  hillbilly

  I posted something like that back before the gas prices spike this summer.

  Consumers can pace demand... but it's like herding cats. I am glad you learned this ...now --- if the other 200 million Americans.................

  Hill
• 

  Tuesday

  Consumers can pace demand... but it's like herding cats. I am glad you learned this ...now --- if the other 200 million Americans.................

  That's interesting, do you feel that everything could be effected by the consumer?

  For instance if enough people stopped using credit cards would the card companies go bankrupt? (everybody hates the fees and the sudden jump in rates if you make three late payments)

  Or if people started strictly buying local produce, would the larger produce providers go bust? (this would also bolster the local economy)

  Similarly if people started going to locally owned restaurants would the larger places go out of business? (The TGI Fridays, Chili's, Applebees, Texas Roadhouses, etc.)

  Curious to get everyone's opinion on this idea.
• 

  hillbilly

  on paper, yes. If we ALL went back to doing without until we had cash the world would go into a high speed wobble.

  If we all had a garden what whould that do the the grocery business? If someone at home in most households still sewed clothes what would happen to the garment industry? If most folks knew how to ride a horse or drive a team or ride an el train how would that impact the auto and fuel companies.

  Industry and markets adapt.

  Hill
• 

  Sunnygal41

  Tuesday, we've ALWAYS had the power............we were deluded and blinded for awhile and some of us gave our power into other's hands. it happens when we let others make decisions for us. I am only half kidding when I say this whole situation makes me think of the French Revolution............hopefully two things will be different from that: it won't be bloody, and two, it will be a worldwide revolution, bringing welcome relief and equality for all.

  Me
• 

  Sunnygal41

  Consumers can pace demand... but it's like herding cats.
• 

  no more kool aid

  I am one of those people that always had a big 8 passenger American made vehicle. We purchased a used Honda and I started car pooling to work at least 2-3 days a week. Wow what a difference it made to our household economy. I hope I am part of the big picture. Also have always tried to patronize the mom and pop local restaurants. The service and food is always great because the actual owner is involved in the service. Could never understand waiting in line to eat at Olive Garden or Apple bee's and over pay.
• 

  WTWizard

  I would let them flounder. Meanwhile, I would strike any and all laws designed to prevent new upstarts or make it more difficult for them to get in. So what if there are going to be upstarts that put out even worse polluters that are dangerous and fall apart after a few thousand miles? They will also be going belly up, and quickly, with no bailout--and the companies that are in it to create value will be the ones that become the next giants.

  While we're at it, let's attack the big drug companies and food processors the same way. The only law would require honest labeling. Aside that, you can put anything you want in your food as long as it's honestly labelled. Laws preventing people from producing unapproved drugs would also be stricken, and the dishonest people would be driven right out of business (the law about being honest about what is in your drugs would also apply). You will soon see the big drug companies whining about that they need a bailout, which they will not get (and neither will the upstarts that put out crap products). You will then have more medical freedom, better products, and better health among Americans at the same time as better tasting foods are available.

  Ditto the education system, airlines (notice that Southwest seems to be thriving when everyone else is taking a bath), transportation system, energy production, the arts (notice that music sucks when a few people control all the music and close out the upstarts), and just about every industry around. Get the regulators out, do not bail out those who foul up by putting out crap--and watch and see how quickly the economy gets on track and stays there.

  And how quickly the Dow hits zero as its constituents are among the dishonest corporations. Only the ones that are honest and upfront survive--the fun is when all the Dow companies go belly up while upstarts become giants quickly.