In the Constitution there are written safeguards to protect the people from the excesses of the federal government. Anything that creates a bigger, more intrusive government has the potential for becoming anti-Constitutional.The present stimulus package sends the message that government spending is the solution to our individual and corporate financial woes. Permission to spend is granted by the Congress. The more they spend, the more we will be taxed. Money creates one kind of power. Accepting more government spending is accepting a bigger government. Gifts almost always come with strings, i.e. the power to control some aspect of our lives.
Carol Dweck, in her book Mindset, described an evaluation as being a stimulus to further student growth (p.76). It made me wonder if there were other, unusual measures, we haven't considered that might stimulate economic growth. It is hard for me to think in terms of trillions so to get my mind around the problem I'd like to apply the question to a person, a family, or a small business.
In FPS there is an emphasis on asking the right questions. One right question for this current event might be, "What, besides government money, stimulates financial growth?" I'll start the answer list. Please add to it in the comment box and I'll edit this list with your thoughts.
1. Work harder
2. Work longer
3. Work less...when the law of diminishing returns is in play
4. Work smarter...more focused
5. Work with others
6. Inspired work...keep praying
7. Bring creativity to your work (Ask me about Brian Tracy's morning lists.)
8. Pay down, then pay off, debt
9. Humility...learning from mistakes
10. Honesty is the best policy in work...avoiding corruption
11. Do a better job of providing what others need...finding the right market
12. Clarify wants as opposed to needs (Emilee)
13. Let Capitalism run its course (survival of the fittest) (Jill)
14. Innovation (Adam)
15. Consider carefully opposite views of best policy. (Marti)
As with any brainstorming, the first answers are always the easiest. Getting past the obvious is where the real creativity comes in. This is the FPS step #3. Step #6 asks us to create a plan using one of the #3 solutions. Can you imagine what a "Humility Stimulus Package" might look like???
I think that deciding what is a 'want' and what is a 'need' is vital in fixing the problem.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
ReplyDeleteHere's an idea: allow competition to run its course and let companies who are not thriving die. That's the purpose of capitalism, to draw out people's best, and that's not going to happen if you get bailed out for doing a mediocre or poor job. Here's an excellent article about that by Mitt Romney:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/opinion/19romney.html?_r=1&ei=5070&emc=eta1
I totally agree with Jill. The only way to fix problems of a broken system is innovation - finding a new way to do an existing task. The Obama administration, unfortunately, seems to think that government run programs can be innovative. By definition, a program that does not require constant change to stay afloat cannot be classified as "innovative." Watching Medicare and Medicaid go towards bankruptcy has been very sad, but it has not been surprising.
ReplyDeleteCapitalism isn't perfect - someday the Savior will institute something better :) It's good for now though.
Thanks for the article Jill! I too am looking forward to the Theocracy to come Adam. The trick is to decide how far to go in tempering the more brutal forces of capitalism. Socialism and Communism go way to far. Thank you both for commenting!
ReplyDeleteWho would have thought Mitt would write for the New York Times? Excellent article!!! Wouldn't it be great if Obama had been more like Lincoln in constructing his cabinet? Lincoln brought in adversaries so that he could see clearly both sides of an issue. Can you even imagine a world where Obama let Mitt take care of the automotive mess?
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking again about what Adam said, "...a program that does not require constant change to stay afloat cannot be classified as 'innovative.'" That is true of humans too. I'm pretty sure I'd be out of a job right now if I didn't keep hopping! Innovating also keeps depression away.
ReplyDeleteAmen Marti!
ReplyDeleteYou know, people claimed that Obama was like Lincoln win he brought the Clinton Machine onboard as the Secretary of State. This was ridiculous. He and Clinton think almost exactly the same, which is one reason that the primaries went on for so long (VERY similar platforms!!). For him to bring Clinton onboard is simply him uniting his party - it had nothing to do with Lincoln's brilliance of learning from your enemies. I was so offended that anyone would compare him to Lincoln for that one appointment - just thinking about it now makes my blood boil :)
Marti:
ReplyDeleteYour blog Weekly Constitutional is incredible and provides a lot of room for thought! Thanks :) I am too much of a 'pooh bear' brain to originate more than the great addition than what has been given already! Keep up the fine weekly stimulus ! ! !
L & A, Marianne
There is nothing "Pooh Bear" about your brains!!! One day the story of your brilliance will be written and I will get to say "I told you so" to any who ever thought otherwise.
ReplyDelete