Oshkosh '06 Redux

Jay Honeck wrote:
Man oh man. This is America! Folks adapt and make fortunes on ideas and freedom. Folks are not thrown into an
'underclass' situation, most choose it in one way or another because of their life choices, and if they want to make
themselves better off there is plenty of opportunity. We are not a welfare society (anymore?) as much as we used to be.
Some think there is no other way than the old ways - they will be left behind...


As someone who has started three businesses, I certainly believe that
the "American Dream" is alive and well. For those who want it,
success is there for the having.

You are currently running three businesses! How do you find time to post?


However, having worked with the public for many years, I am also aware
that there are a vast number of Americans who are, essentially,
non-functional. This semi-literate, semi-skilled, semi-motivated
group of people were, until very recently, well-employed in American
heavy industry. They are now working as best they can at the margins
of our society, and have been "thrown" into semi-poverty.

The reasons for this phenomenon are many, but the push to make American
industry "green" was certainly a major reason for its move overseas,
where such environmental rules don't exist. As I've said, the folks
who instigated these environmental mandates (which, quite honestly,
have benefited the rest of us greatly) should thank their lucky stars
that this large group of non-functional Americans are truly ignorant of
the reasons for their plight.

I find it hard to believe that this was a major reason among the many
reasons. I think unions played a bigger role than environmental
regulations. I think greedy and shortsighted management played a bigger
role. I think the costs of torts was a bigger factor. I know Cessna
stopped making light airplanes for a decade or so due to liability
insurance costs, not environmental costs.


Matt