As US economy continues to decline, and some say, this is only the beginning, I am optimistic. Why? Because I believe this is a chance to make a real change, one that starts with each individual person. We can build new, better economy, more sustainable for ourselves and our planet.
For the last 50 years USA and many countries worldwide embraced industrialization based on massive consumption and cheap labor. Cheap labor was provided by the immigrants, massive consumption by giant conglomerates that made cheap things consumed in large quantities.
As United States moved their manufacturers outside the United States in pursuit of even cheaper labor, the driving force behind such economy weakened and now we are seeing the effects of it.
Try going to the store to find anything made in USA. Chances are you will find drugs (health products), weapons and cars. Everything else is made in China, even the American flag.
So to me it was no surprise when I heard my journalism professor share with me that his economist friend predicts a “continuous decline” of US economy in the “L” shape graph. (x = time, y = economy).
But at the same time, I feel like this is a time of change. We can build better, sustainable economy that supports other industries, that is not based on mass consumption.
One way to do it is figuring out what each of us is good at. Something that we would do regardless of if we got paid, something we are already doing. If we build businesses based on values that are greater than monetary rewards, then we can begin to build a better economy.
Now is a good time to start