Our system is not sound...

By: doctormatt06
Published On: 7/5/2007 3:44:19 AM

No, I'm not talking about the federal government, although that IS another major problem that we are facing.  I am talking about the gigantic commercial and infrastructrual issues we will soon be facing in our near future.  We as a country have to face the reality of the over reliance we have on oil, and the awful habits it has created in our communities.  If you come with me over the jump, I will explain some of the major problems I see as occurring, if we do not try to fix them soon.
1.  Many of the oil-producing countries are not stable - Currently the largest oil producers are the Middle East, Venezuela, Russia, and China.  If there was ever a civil war in the Middle East or instability in any of the other countries, our entire infrastructure might grind to a halt.  Think of Hurricane Katrina prices times 10, and that COULD bea possibility.  Think of how much our country relys on this foreign oil, without it our country could be crippled beyond belief. 

2. We are importing huge amounts of foreign goods - Not only does this adversely affect the growth of manufacturing jobs in this country, it also is a highly inefficient system.  If we ever have a problem with China, we now have to take into account the fact that almost 1/3 of our industry is slowly coming to rely on Chinese goods and commerce to survive because of their cheap prices, we won't be able to influence them at all!!!  Also, if there ever is a commerce war, without having any local infrastructure, places that get most of their goods from overseas, and have no local merchandise will be totally wiped out.

3. Lack of safety of foreign goods - Dog food, toothpaste, wheat gluten, leadened toy trains, spoiled/diseased food coming from foreign countries, inferior products that need to be replaced more often.  The lack of control we have over product safety is so disrespectful that its beyond belief.  If we are using products made here in the United States, then they are held to the strict standards of U.S. manufacturing law and FDA and USDA guidelines.

4. Illegal immigration is killing our country - This might be controversial, but illegal immigration in its current form is destroying our country by setting up a system of lower wages, and a system of institutionalized indentured servitude.  The immigration by itself is not a problem, but the fact that companies will pay these workers less then the minimum wage at the detriment of the American worker is not helping.  If these employers are told they have to pay workers the same wages as Americans, and no American is still interested in the job, then there will be no negative view of immigration, because it really will be a job an American wouldn't want.

5. Healthcare is killing the small business - Without a system of nationalized healthcare, small employers cannot afford to compete with bigger businesses.  We really do need to do something about healthcare, because without a good nationalized healthcare system we are destroying small-independent businesses ability to compete with their bigger counterparts in hiring the best and the brightest of the available job pool.  Also, the current premiums are destroying small company profits and limiting their ability to expand.

6. Our Airlines are not going to survive in their current form -  If you look at every industry, no other industry has been bailed out by the federal government as much as the airline industry.  Again and again, we have to step in and save an industry that is a great boon to our country's economy, because it cannot survive on its own.  Look at any other country in the world, are they building new airports left and right??? I think the answer is a resounding no, what they are building is a new twist on the old standard of transportation from a past era, High-Speed Rail.  The fact that our country does not have a high-speed rail program is a shame.  We need to push mag-lev trains for our country.  Having options to go short distances like the Washington to Boston Amtrak rails would decrease the amount of air-traffic we have, and give the airlines some give to their already overstressed industry.

I have a bunch of other things, but I'm tired, and I'm on vacation, so I really shouldn't be doing this, but I couldn't help it!!!

If you have anything to add, put it down below

Comments



Money in Politics (Bubby - 7/5/2007 12:13:40 PM)
Every one of the important problems that you have identified can be traced to an undue influence on government by moneyed self-interests.  Our government does not make sensible decisions in the best interest of ALL, because they owe industries their loyalty because those industries fund their campaign war chests, or provide a revolving door for the employment of politicians, staffers, family members, or some particular friend of...

By the end of next year the successful president will have spent 1/2 Billion dollars getting elected.  Senate campaigns now cost 100 million dollars.  We hope against hope that our representative's vote has not been bought.  But as you illustrate, that hope is not well founded.



Great post (Catzmaw - 7/5/2007 6:23:52 PM)
You make a lot of very solid points.  Wish everyone would read them and think about these issues.


The Arab Oil Embargo of 1973-74 (norman swingvoter - 7/5/2007 8:33:17 PM)
On #1 we were crippled when the Arabs cut off the oil.  I remember sitting in gas lines for hours waiting for gas.  You would pass gas stations with big signs saying no gas today or gas next Tuesday, etc.  The shame of this is the difference between where we have ended up and say Brazil.  I saw a program that asked the oil minister of Brazil what would happen if the Arabs cut off the oil  He said nothing, we don't need foreign oil, we are oil independent.  I find it embarassing that our country can't make that statement.