How do you feel about the future of US?

[Nor-LA-SD-guy]

They say this every downturn,

Things will be just fine.

During 1980-83 Japan was going to be the new world power and the U.S. was going to become Mexico. (that was 1980 -1983)

1990, California was going to become Mexico or the only Jobs will be a Jack in the box as the Defense and Auto industry moved out

If I was older I think I could go back further.

[briansd1]

We just have to get used to be ordinary.

Relative to other people around the world, we aren’t so rich anymore.

20 – 30 years ago when Americans traveled abroad, they felt rich. Now the cost of living in major cities around the world is the same or more than New York City.

Foreigners no longer look up to America they way the used to.

Economically, it’s not a zero sum gain. As others get richer, we may not get poorer but, relative to others, our wealth and influence is diminishing.

That will create a political problem for us because our expectations of being able to influence and shape the world will remain while our ability to influence is diminishing.

[briansd1]

We just have to get used to be ordinary.

Relative to other people around the world, we aren’t so rich anymore.

20 – 30 years ago when Americans traveled abroad, they felt rich. Now the cost of living in major cities around the world is the same or more than New York City.

Foreigners no longer look up to America they way the used to.

Economically, it’s not a zero sum gain. As others get richer, we may not get poorer but, relative to others, our wealth and influence is diminishing.

That will create a political problem for us because our expectations of being able to influence and shape the world will remain while our ability to influence is diminishing.

[briansd1]

We just have to get used to be ordinary.

Relative to other people around the world, we aren’t so rich anymore.

20 – 30 years ago when Americans traveled abroad, they felt rich. Now the cost of living in major cities around the world is the same or more than New York City.

Foreigners no longer look up to America they way the used to.

Economically, it’s not a zero sum gain. As others get richer, we may not get poorer but, relative to others, our wealth and influence is diminishing.

That will create a political problem for us because our expectations of being able to influence and shape the world will remain while our ability to influence is diminishing.

[briansd1]

We just have to get used to be ordinary.

Relative to other people around the world, we aren’t so rich anymore.

20 – 30 years ago when Americans traveled abroad, they felt rich. Now the cost of living in major cities around the world is the same or more than New York City.

Foreigners no longer look up to America they way the used to.

Economically, it’s not a zero sum gain. As others get richer, we may not get poorer but, relative to others, our wealth and influence is diminishing.

That will create a political problem for us because our expectations of being able to influence and shape the world will remain while our ability to influence is diminishing.

[briansd1]

We just have to get used to be ordinary.

Relative to other people around the world, we aren’t so rich anymore.

20 – 30 years ago when Americans traveled abroad, they felt rich. Now the cost of living in major cities around the world is the same or more than New York City.

Foreigners no longer look up to America they way the used to.

Economically, it’s not a zero sum gain. As others get richer, we may not get poorer but, relative to others, our wealth and influence is diminishing.

That will create a political problem for us because our expectations of being able to influence and shape the world will remain while our ability to influence is diminishing.

[UCGal]

I agree with the comments that we’ll have lifestyles more like Europe…
The last 2 decades were all about excess – everyone was entitled to a 3000+ sf house and two high end cars… (more if you had teenagers.) You were poor if you didn’t go out to eat every week.

The reality is we’re going back to a time where we’re forced to live within our means. Which means home purchases, car purchases, discretionary spending will be at a more pragmatic level. Frugality is the new black.

If you can live with that – then you will be fine going forward. If you feel entitled to pizza ovens (vs easy bake ovens) and a lifestyle much larger than income would support… then the coming years will be your own personal hell.

I’ve done a lot of travel in Europe – except for the filthy rich – people live smaller… smaller houses and apartments, smaller cars, less stuff… We could learn a lesson.

[UCGal]

I agree with the comments that we’ll have lifestyles more like Europe…
The last 2 decades were all about excess – everyone was entitled to a 3000+ sf house and two high end cars… (more if you had teenagers.) You were poor if you didn’t go out to eat every week.

The reality is we’re going back to a time where we’re forced to live within our means. Which means home purchases, car purchases, discretionary spending will be at a more pragmatic level. Frugality is the new black.

If you can live with that – then you will be fine going forward. If you feel entitled to pizza ovens (vs easy bake ovens) and a lifestyle much larger than income would support… then the coming years will be your own personal hell.

I’ve done a lot of travel in Europe – except for the filthy rich – people live smaller… smaller houses and apartments, smaller cars, less stuff… We could learn a lesson.

[UCGal]

I agree with the comments that we’ll have lifestyles more like Europe…
The last 2 decades were all about excess – everyone was entitled to a 3000+ sf house and two high end cars… (more if you had teenagers.) You were poor if you didn’t go out to eat every week.

The reality is we’re going back to a time where we’re forced to live within our means. Which means home purchases, car purchases, discretionary spending will be at a more pragmatic level. Frugality is the new black.

If you can live with that – then you will be fine going forward. If you feel entitled to pizza ovens (vs easy bake ovens) and a lifestyle much larger than income would support… then the coming years will be your own personal hell.

I’ve done a lot of travel in Europe – except for the filthy rich – people live smaller… smaller houses and apartments, smaller cars, less stuff… We could learn a lesson.

[UCGal]

I agree with the comments that we’ll have lifestyles more like Europe…
The last 2 decades were all about excess – everyone was entitled to a 3000+ sf house and two high end cars… (more if you had teenagers.) You were poor if you didn’t go out to eat every week.

The reality is we’re going back to a time where we’re forced to live within our means. Which means home purchases, car purchases, discretionary spending will be at a more pragmatic level. Frugality is the new black.

If you can live with that – then you will be fine going forward. If you feel entitled to pizza ovens (vs easy bake ovens) and a lifestyle much larger than income would support… then the coming years will be your own personal hell.

I’ve done a lot of travel in Europe – except for the filthy rich – people live smaller… smaller houses and apartments, smaller cars, less stuff… We could learn a lesson.

[UCGal]

I agree with the comments that we’ll have lifestyles more like Europe…
The last 2 decades were all about excess – everyone was entitled to a 3000+ sf house and two high end cars… (more if you had teenagers.) You were poor if you didn’t go out to eat every week.

The reality is we’re going back to a time where we’re forced to live within our means. Which means home purchases, car purchases, discretionary spending will be at a more pragmatic level. Frugality is the new black.

If you can live with that – then you will be fine going forward. If you feel entitled to pizza ovens (vs easy bake ovens) and a lifestyle much larger than income would support… then the coming years will be your own personal hell.

I’ve done a lot of travel in Europe – except for the filthy rich – people live smaller… smaller houses and apartments, smaller cars, less stuff… We could learn a lesson.

[felix]

I feel even worse after reading some of the comments made above. I really wonder why so many are readily willing to accept lower expectations for their lives, their children’s lives and our country.

The problem isn’t that what is happening is inevitable. The problem is that we have been creating an economy, in the name of progress, that is unsustainable. The plain fact is we can not continue the growth in the number of public sector jobs and entitlements with meager or no growth in private sector economy.

Jobs that bring economic growth leave inhospitable states and countries. Higher taxes and higher labor costs drive away mobile business and jobs.

It doesn’t have to be this way. We can change direction. We just need to choose our leaders better.

We can not just vote for change, as if, it is always an improvement. Clearly, it isn’t.

[felix]

I feel even worse after reading some of the comments made above. I really wonder why so many are readily willing to accept lower expectations for their lives, their children’s lives and our country.

The problem isn’t that what is happening is inevitable. The problem is that we have been creating an economy, in the name of progress, that is unsustainable. The plain fact is we can not continue the growth in the number of public sector jobs and entitlements with meager or no growth in private sector economy.

Jobs that bring economic growth leave inhospitable states and countries. Higher taxes and higher labor costs drive away mobile business and jobs.

It doesn’t have to be this way. We can change direction. We just need to choose our leaders better.

We can not just vote for change, as if, it is always an improvement. Clearly, it isn’t.

[felix]

I feel even worse after reading some of the comments made above. I really wonder why so many are readily willing to accept lower expectations for their lives, their children’s lives and our country.

The problem isn’t that what is happening is inevitable. The problem is that we have been creating an economy, in the name of progress, that is unsustainable. The plain fact is we can not continue the growth in the number of public sector jobs and entitlements with meager or no growth in private sector economy.

Jobs that bring economic growth leave inhospitable states and countries. Higher taxes and higher labor costs drive away mobile business and jobs.

It doesn’t have to be this way. We can change direction. We just need to choose our leaders better.

We can not just vote for change, as if, it is always an improvement. Clearly, it isn’t.

[felix]

I feel even worse after reading some of the comments made above. I really wonder why so many are readily willing to accept lower expectations for their lives, their children’s lives and our country.

The problem isn’t that what is happening is inevitable. The problem is that we have been creating an economy, in the name of progress, that is unsustainable. The plain fact is we can not continue the growth in the number of public sector jobs and entitlements with meager or no growth in private sector economy.

Jobs that bring economic growth leave inhospitable states and countries. Higher taxes and higher labor costs drive away mobile business and jobs.

It doesn’t have to be this way. We can change direction. We just need to choose our leaders better.

We can not just vote for change, as if, it is always an improvement. Clearly, it isn’t.

[Author]

Posts