Is the recession a bad thing?

Recession. It's just a word. Is it a good word or bad word? Is it as scary as it seems?

It can be frightening to watch retire portfolios drop half its value in a short period of time. Jobs are more precious than ever. Foreclosures are up. Companies are not generating as much revenue as before and the government wants to pass another $825 billion stimulus package. Does the economy really need to be stimulated again?

Periods of expansion and contraction happen all the time. People love expansion, it means new cars, nice vacations, bigger homes, consumption, consumption, consumption. Consumers KNOW that the economy goes in cycles, yet complain when things are contracting. Some numbers thrown out by our economy suggest that consumer spending accounts for 72% of Gross Domestic Product. I don't know if people are ok with that, but that sounds awfully high and unstable and unhealthy to me. Are citizens satisfied with that figure? It sounds irresponsible to prop up the economy by spending.

I offer no solution, but wanted to point out that the recession is not a bad thing. It will bring the economy down to stable levels. The stock markets look ridiculously cheap compare to where they were a few years ago. Although they're at levels seen a decade ago, prudent investing would've netted dividends and great dollar cost averaging opportunities now. On the consumption side, do we really need a Starbucks on every corner? Maybe the need to save money will bring families together at night to eat a home cooked meal. I hope the recession allows everyone to take a step back and evaluate their lives and situation and still realize how good things are compared to the rest of the world.

The case for a third party

Congratulations to Barack Obama for winning the presidency. It is good to see the country progressing and moving towards change in the political system. What's most encouraging is seeing the energy young voters have to get involved with the political system and to have their voices heard. With that energy, I wonder how long we have to wait before a third political party rises to challenge the traditional two party system.

How exciting would the campaign season have been if Hillary and Romney were on the presidential ballot as well. Choice has always been priority in the American culture. Companies try to differentiate themselves with different products offering more choice to consumers. When we want to buy a car, there are several brands and models to choose from. It would be horrible if our choices were a Ford F150 and a Toyota Prius. What if I want to drive a Porsche? Why does our political system act in this way?

I would argue that it keeps the parties with power in power. Why would they let someone new into the game? If Hillary were on the ballot, she would surely cannibalize some of Barack's votes. Same if Romney campaigned as an independent. Is that really what is best for the citizen's of this country? The two party system sounds a lot like an oligopoly to me. Competition breeds progress, and that's a fact.

People, and I would argue Politics as well, is much larger than Red or Blue. The majority of people will stereotype and place you in a box if you mention your affiliation with the Democrats or the Republicans. I agree with Democrats on some issues, and I agree with Republicans on other issues. So why can't I have a candidate that represents me? I thought politics were supposed to be about the people, and frankly, I don't agree how the Democrats or Republicans run primaries to see who the strongest candidate will be for that party and stay within party lines. I want to be able to vote for a person, not a party.

If Ann Nixon Cooper(?) had to wait 106 years to see Obama get elected, then maybe I'll have to wait that long before we get more choice with our politicians. I'll end with one last tidbit.

We currently have 2 independent, but caucus with the Democrats, Senators out of 100 which is 2%. The two largest parties in the British Parliament House of Commons comprise 85% of the 644 votes, with several smaller parties making up the rest of 15%. Are the Brits really that much more progressive than the Americans?