Sunday's Op-Ed: The Financial Bamboozle

The prime news story globally has been the economy. From country to country, news outlets have been pontificating on dire financial states. In NY, the home of the stock exchange, people are especially fearful of their financial future. However, a deeper analysis reveals that there is much more than a "recession" going on.

While there has been a continuous slashing of jobs, the government has not curbed there spending. Some examples are: NYC relinquishing 9-figures of taxpayers' money to build a new Yankee Stadium right next door to the legendary old one [CLICK HERE for the story]; George Bush's National Air Conditioner Initiative, which is reportedly is attempting to dedicate TRILLIONS of dollars to build a laughable 800-mile air-conditioner [CLICK HERE for the story]; On-going expensive NASA trips to outer space; the $700 Billion bailout; The exorbitant cost of an on-going war [CLICK HERE for the story]; as well as little things that add up to big things- like having Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza fountain spewing water 24/7. I must question, if there is truly a dearth of money, would municipal powers be able to use taxpayers' money to fuel such non-necessities?

Slashing jobs, bleeding the employed for taxes and fees, and spending money on frivolousness is what's sinking the economy; not market trends of supply and demand, and a downturn of civilian spending. Ergo, this leads to a bigger question: Why would the government want to sink the economy? Conspiracy theorists, who are looking like realists right about now, are having a field day theorizing about this. However, I digress.

What I do acknowledge is the universal law that the more we feed into something the bigger it becomes, and the quicker it comes into reality. This is where the media's consistent coverage of our "economic woes" comes into play. The mainstream media reports have been giving a largely one-sided analysis of our current financial state, using language that is putting some people into panic mode just listening to it. However, for the most part, the media has failed to give a detailed checklist of the out-of-control government spending that would obviously put any budget in the red.

People's fears are being played into 9/11 style. Most people logically are adverse to poverty and having a lack of necessities. That is why playing into this fear, while skating away with the loot is a disaster waiting to happen. The question is how do we stop the monetary hemmoraging that seems to be an intentional blood-letting? (If you have any viable ideas, please post them in the comments section).

The only answers I could come up with are as follows:

(1) If we believe the philosophies that are expressed in the Holy Books, and books like: "The Secret," and "What The Bleep Do We Know?!" our thoughts are powerful. Our thoughts become things. Therefore, it would probably behoove us not to mentally and emotionally feed into this manufactured panic. While it is good (and sometimes necessary), to be informed, let's turn off the "Bad News" stations every once in a while. Being spiritual beings, we should also always remember the power of prayer.

(2) Let's attempt to address our personal and community economical status in a rational, methodical way. Cut down on spending, if necessary. We can also acknowledge that while it is nice to give and receive, Christmas gifts aren't the end all be all.

(3) Let's spend our money with businesses that are likely to infuse our dollars back into our community, so there is a circulation of money within our community instead of an economic drain.

(4) Share the wealth. This doesn't necessarily mean dollars. Share resources, time, skills, and tangible items other than money. You may be able to set up a barter with someone that will be just as valuable as an exchange of legal tender.

(5) Let's stay informed of the facts, as opposed to the emotional posturing. Let's present these facts to our elected officials letting them know that the community is either pleased or displeased with the integrity that they use to disburse their budget.

Again, if you have anything to add, please feel welcomed to post it in the comments section.

Peace & Prosperity!