Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Economic Hostage Stand-Off



Although we have entered the New Year without a fiscal cliff thus far, it is starting to feel like a SWAT standoff until March.  With little movement from both Republicans and Democrats, compromises are a must in order to move forward.  Since many of us have already noticed less in our paychecks from an increase in payroll taxes, and fuel price increases which have remained high since Christmas due to economic uncertainty, resolving this quickly is a must.

Like a hostage in a Congressional Standoff, We the People must demand a resolution.  With economic uncertainty, people quit spending money, which will drive companies out of business, and not stimulate growth, but cause stagnant or negative growth which could lead us into another recession, which Americans Can Not Afford.  With many Americans having already depleted much of their savings to get by over the past few years, unemployment figures still high, and the economy not completely recouped from the recession, We Must Find a Resolution. 

Even the best of hostage negotiators use compromises to defuse a situation, which could be a lesson for Congressional Leaders, but since it appears many of them care more about being re-elected than what is best for the MAJORITY of the population, it could be an insurmountable dilemma if it is not resolved with swiftness.

In the final month of 2012 when retailers count on a significant amount of income brought in by Holiday Sales, in order to sustain through the slow times of the year, they saw the smallest increase in Holiday Sales they have seen since 2008.  Since the boom is calculated from Black Friday through Christmas Eve, and can represent 20-40% of some companies annual sales, its importance is extremely relevant for future growth and financial future.  Although retailers overall showed a 4.5% increase in the Holiday Season, with Target whom is the nations second largest retailer reported that sales were flat from last year, and consumer spending was only up .7% according to SpendingPulse.

With more than 25% of all Americans tied to retail in some fashion, one can only hope a backlash from the Holiday Season shortfall has a minimal economic impact.  Although those of us in the manufacturing industry saw increases in production in the forth quarter of 2012, we pray it is not short lived by the economic uncertainty caused by congressional leaders.  Regardless of political view, a solution to the problem is being demanded by the people, yet they continue to wave at us with their middle finger.  In an effort to make a difference, I personally vow to punish those whom we elect to make decisions on our behalf, when their terms expire and are up for re-election.  Warren Buffet recently made a public statement how he could end the deficit in 5 minutes, by passing a law that says any time the deficit exceeds GDP by 3% all sitting members of Congress are in-eligible for re-election, which would DEFINITIELY Resolve many issues, but the likeliness of that happening is not likely.  Therefore, we MUST count on the Men and Women of Congress to work rapidly together to create and vote an acceptable solution into law to ease the economic uncertainty of the great nation we call The United States of America.

Since the United States of America is populated by more than 312.8 million people according to the 2012 census and there are only 535 Men and Women of Congress, it is time we as Americans DEMAND a resolution.  Although they are guaranteed a paycheck while elected with a pension and medical benefits for life, we the taxpayers, manufactures, retailers, construction trades, technology industries, automobile industry, hospitality industries, etc NEED ECONOMIC CERTAINTY, NOT UNCERTAINTY in order for businesses to flourish and provide jobs to the MAJORITY of the U.S. population.  Instead of holding Americans hostage while Congress fumbles with personal and narrow minded visions, make some compromises so a solution can be made and the lives of Americans can be taken off hold, and rejuvenate strength within the U.S. Economy.  We are counting on you Congress (Hostage Negotiators) to talk out a solution. We can not afford a recession caused by lack of compromise from elected officials.  As a Fiscal Cliff still looms over our heads for March, it is only with your laborious task that a solution be made to avoid such disaster.






Resources:

   >  www.nrf.com

No comments:

Post a Comment