I read Alecto's post about how the world is spinning. She thinks our nation and our economy needs a reset. The more I think about that the more I think she's right.
If I were to put it into computer terms I would probably say we need a new operating system. I think our current operating system is both corrupt and dysfunctional. I'm not talking about just the Congress, the executive branch and Wall Street although those are the most visible signs of the dysfunction.
I'm actually talking about you and me. I believe we think most of our troubles are due to something outside of the country and out of our control (unless we do something militarily). The price of oil and ultimately gasoline is a good example. The fact is that problem is completely under our control. We simply have to modify our behavior about how we use the black stuff. And then we have to get our government working as it should be doing to encourage technological development and alternative forms of energy. We aren't doing either of those.
Actually I think modifying our behavior is the biggest and most important thing we must do. In the oil example it's very clear to me that our oil dependence is putting both our economic security and our nation's defense at risk. But I think our attitude is that we are entitled to oil at the price and the quantity we want it in and we are frustrated that isn't happening. That's simply wrong since we don't have the resources ourselves. It means we've got to go the opposite direction and reduce our consumption in whatever way we can. That's almost un-American in thought but it's absolutely real.
One of the things that has always made our country great is our economic strength. It's been eroding for so long now I can hardly remember when it started. And it's certainly at its lowest in my lifetime. We have to quit being dependent on outside sources--whether its oil from the Middle East, cars from Japan or toys from China. I have no doubt that we can do whatever it takes. Our history is that we get things done that need to be done. But we have to change our operating system. That's the hard part. The time has come to do that.
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Your Comments
My own view is that the economic current crisis is a manifestation of a moral crisis that has gripped our collective souls.
Posted by: Ridge Walker at Oct 10, 2008 8:30:57 AM
Watch out, Lewis. Someone might call you a Liberal for making such statements!
Posted by: Jerry Critter at Oct 11, 2008 12:12:42 PM
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