Another down day on the markets; do you think it is about time we change course and try something new?
We all seem to have forgotten what one of the major causes of the current recession was: oil at almost $150 a barrel and $5 gas.
Fuel took so much money out of the hands of folks that they stopped spending, could not pay their house payments and generally cut back on almost everything.
Oil is down at the moment but the price will rise at some point as demand heats up.
Our country has vast amounts of oil of our own if we would go after it. I would be willing to bet that OPEC would lower prices if we announced a plan to immediately open all available areas in our country for production.
OPEC controls oil prices worldwide but if we had our own supply we would not be subject to its control of prices ? think of gas at ARCO that uses oil from Alaska. I sure would like an ARCO station here in Lake County.
Naturally oil is not our only problem causing the business slow down. Many new rules and regulations have been processed by the administration, which causes business people to worry as they cannot predict their future expenses.
Huge piles of new requirements are being sent out every day seemingly without consideration of cost.
The new healthcare law will add much more cost to business folks when many are barely able to keep the doors open now.
I have been retired for sometime, but if I was still in the labor market I would much rather have a job and take care of my own benefits than be constantly worried that the business might shut down and put me out of work.
The last two-and-a-half years have produced a great deal of bashing of business people, but most are honest, hard working folk who have saved their money to start a business. Without people who are willing to do this few new jobs are created as small business is the source of most employment in the USA.
I would suggest that when it comes time to vote next year that some thought be given to a look at a new way forward. Let”s try something different!
Darryl Smith
Kelseyville
