Economic Indicators

When we mean current economic indicators we have to consider all the facts that have manifested to a point the United States if faced with today. The continuing turmoil in the Mid-East where at any moment the crisis could escalate and ignite global terror not seen since World War II. Where the flow of oil that comes from the Mid-East which the United States still relies on to keep gas prices reasonably stable here is poised again cause gas prices to climb drastically within just a few more months. Already taking effect the prices not only at the pump but in every consumable product is costing more every day. The inflationary trend is only going to continue. When we compound this with the current state of employment, sure, there is a slight decrease in unemployment claims nationally but any decrease is already being negated by the huge layoffs of major airlines and other companies that find it so difficult to maintain profitability here in the United States. We must remember it is our own trade agreements like NAFTA that has encouraged major corporations to look for less expensive means to do business overseas than here in the United States. Consequently, since 1994 the United States has lost millions of middle class wage jobs. When we take into account of the failed results of the so-called Super Committee of this past year concerning our national debt is again testament that the United States continues to flounder in a sea of financial depravation.  Not since the 1930's has the United States been faced with such an economic and social disaster.

Our society today has over 75% of the population earning less than $35,000 per year. That equates to well below the necessary level to support not only themselves but leaves cities, and states without enough tax revenue to support all the mandated expenditures that are currently required by law. Every city and state are faced with massive budget shortfalls which feeds a continuation of economic uncertainty and triggers more financial loss of revenue to each town and state. Other sobering statistics indicate that the United States has ceased to be the financial and economic power that this country was after World War II.

When almost 70% of the population in the United States are currently finding it necessary to use food stamps, credit cards or deplete whatever savings as the primary sources for buying food indicates that food prices are becoming out of reach for the majority of Americans. With over 15 million Americans currently unemployed, another 13% of the overall population homeless and with the current trend remaining unabated we can expect that these numbers will only increase. This leaves that the United States will have to continue to borrow more in order to sustain the current programs that keep the majority of Americans from either starving or losing more of their homes.

The current policies of our Government have only exasperated the many economic conditions around the country. One of the biggest concerns that has not been focused on is the actual number of individuals who are incarcerated and the actual amount of tax dollars needed to maintain the largest prison population of any country around the world. To date the cost of an individual incarcerated is over $30,000 per year. That is the actual cost per taxpayer. With the percentage of taxpayers in the United States steadily declining that figure will also escalate. This will add to the continuing out of control debt that this country is faced with.

Just recently the The American Medical Journal reported the actual percentage of Americans are increasingly at risk of Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and all other health related matters due to the continuing lack of a healthy lifestyle. This percentage has increased to all time highs. Much of which is a direct result of the economic and financial situation of an individual and the continued contribution of the technologies that have made exercise less appealing. More Americans are not exercising to the point of actual benefit for themselves every year. With budget shortfalls in school districts one of the first programs not renewed and funded is Physical Education. That has to be the one program like reading and math that has to have top priority not only for the sake of our youth but for the future prosperity and stability of our country. Unless this country doesn't renew the council of Health and Fitness in all our schools from pre-school through high school this nation will continue to be at risk to all the health problems and financial hardships associated with the many diseases that are a direct result of a lifestyle counter productive for the future of this country. Compounding the problem of our health care in the United States contrary to the recently passed health care bill more and more Americans are still without health insurance while the medical and pharmaceutical costs keep rising. The current way our many health care services are run wouldn't solve the monumental costs associated with the increasing number of citizens who now need health insurance. This in itself has to warrant a complete elimination of our current policies and implement Universal Health Care into the United States.

With all these indicators the prognosis for the future of the United States is grim unless current policies are completely changed. Using lessons learned from history when faced with an unprecedented national crisis like what happened following the crash of 1929 when FDR used programs like the WPA and others re ignited economic forward momentum. Today, a National Economic Reform agenda has to be the new course and plan of direction both for short term economic gains and for the long term future prosperity, stability, and security of the United States. Ten articles of confederation that deal directly with the solutions and programs needed to eliminate the cost ineffectiveness of current policies, eliminate our national debt, and enable every American citizen to have the availability and ability to achieve economic stability and prosperity is the best chance this country has in evolving and prospering in the 21st century.
 
The band-aid fixes of the past 25 years have only accelerated Americas decline. The time for bold initiatives has come. From our diplomacy in dealing with foreign affairs to domestic issues that have lingered for far too long in re-gating the American public into an almost third world culture is not acceptable. When in last months state of the union address President Obama's speech sounded more like a pep talk instead of a rallying cry against the injustices done by past failed policies included with concrete solutions that embodied the realization that the Republican response would only curtail and oppose any suggestion made. The continued stalemate by political parties of the past few years has again only intensified the realm of reality that millions of Americans face very limited opportunities for renewed economic prosperity. Even with the Presidents mortgage assistance program banks will undoubtedly find any reason to hinder homeowners from re modification. The main reason credit scores remain the biggest hurdle for homeowners to qualify for any assistance the government offers.
 
When a political party is so adamant that their views, opinions, and ideals are the only ones that matter. When condescending in their views , opinions, and ideals continue to thwart advances in our society. Where condemnation rules over acceptance. Where compromise is not even recognized. All of these signify that the American experience is almost lost. The racial overtures that have plagued the political process in recent years only continues to hamper positive progress in our society today.
 
The political process today is awash with massive amounts of money where the democratic process is obliterated by millions of dollars that only posture a particular candidate. Special interest groups and lobbyists are the beneficiaries of what has turned out to be a very corrupt political process. But all of these instances are overshadowed by the facts that eminent danger is lurking in the not to distant future.
 
With the continuing escalation in consuming fossil fuels the evidence is to overwhelming to dispute that global warming is causing almost irrevocable damage to the earths environment. In the process the likelihood of famine on a global scale will only be a matter of time. In some countries famine is all too real a reality of every day life. A recent Food and Agricultural Organization reported that the United States grain reserves are so depleted that in the event of an national emergency there is not enough grain even for a quarter of the population. In other words the United States is grossly negligent and so ill prepared when a global crisis hits. It is imperative that the United States acts now to implement policies that counter the damages that current programs continue to do in jeopardizing the security and stability of America.