$$ America's economy is based on Capitalism and Consumerism. That is how it has always been, but that is also what has gotten us into trouble. Not that Capitalism is a bad thing—it is a great thing. The pitfall is that people and businesses need to continue to spend money in order for the economy to continue to thrive. When spending stops, everything comes to a screeching halt. But more recently, "spending" has been about credit cards and debt. That's where things get out of control. People lose their minds when they have too many credit cards—running around like crazy people on auto-pilot spending more, and more, and more. I got caught up in it myself. So, then what happened? The banks did what they do best. They "capitalized" on an opportunity to exploit the mindless drones.
In the 70s, banks and stores sent out credit cards in the mail—unsolicited. Congress had the good sense, at the time, to step in and end that practice.
Then, in the 80s, if you had a job and decent credit, or even if you were a student with no job (you still had the potential of getting a job after you graduated), credit cards were readily available and the economy was booming.
In the 90s, the Supreme Court removed most restrictions on what the banks could charge customers for late fees and interest, so after deregulation, all hell broke loose. People were having a harder time paying the creditors, the creditors jacked up the interest rates, and the economy started to slow down. Then came September 11, 2001. People felt nervous and insecure—nothing that horrible had ever happened to us before. The economy went from slowing down to standing still. People and businesses didn't feel as prosperous as they had. A lot of fraud came to light because the huxters could no longer maintain the charade, and next thing you know, businesses were "scaling back." There were huge lay offs and now, there is a severe job shortage.
It has become a vicious cycle—no jobs, money isn't flowing and bills aren't being paid. The banks shot themselves in the foot. But they don't care, because, here comes the cavalry—the federal government—and bails them all out of their troubles. In the meantime, the little guy who took on more house than he could afford is homeless and bankrupt. But we know that story, and I have more whining to do, so let's move on. What's next?
eBay knows an opportunity when it sees one. As soon as the economy started to slow, eBay gradually began increasing their selling fees until the old timers finally had enough and quit. But there is a sucker born everyday and the entreneurial spirit is alive and well. People who had never even shopped on eBay before are now trying to sell anything that isn't tied down. Their pitfall: they are newbies, and haven't fully realized the huge chunk of their profits that will have to be divied up to eBay and PayPal every month, so they don't price their auctions appropriately. They start the auction at 99 cents, to avoid the eBay fees, then get indignant with the Buyer who wins the auction at 99 cents. They have some wild idea that hundreds of Buyers will flock to their auction and bid the price sky high. It doesn't work that way because there are millions of auctions running everyday. A Seller is lucky if one or two people even run across their auctions. I've actually gotten emails from Sellers who made comments about what a "deal" I had gotten on their item. Geez–I'm not forcing them to sell things on eBay.
The same newbies scour the garage sales for anything they THINK is "old" and then, without doing any research at all, claim that whatever the item is, it was made in the 40s or 50s. Numerous times I have sent emails to Sellers informing them that I have that identical item and it was brand new in 1995. They don't care. They never change the listing. If they can sell it, they will say just about anything. So, as they say: Buyer Beware.
In general though, people are being more caution with their discretionary spending. Sellers are desperate, depressed and getting cranky! If you mention that the shipping cost seems a bit over inflated (it is), they get all defensive about eBay fees, PayPal fees, bubble wrap, gas to drive to the PO, etc., etc. and call it "handling charges." Everybody wants a bargain and it's a good place to get one. That's the fun part, but no one wants to be blantantly gouged. Moving on..............
You want to know why we have a health crisis? Because too many Americans are working two or three part-time jobs, with no healthcare benefits, just to pay the bills. They are made to feel guilty if they can't buy their children expensive electronic toys and gadgets that they "need," and all of the expensive clothes and expensive sneakers that everyone else's kids are wearing. Plus, they have to support their expensive car (and insurance) that they need to get to all their jobs. Since they are never home, everyone has to have a cell phone to stay in touch and they grab their meals at the fast-food restaurant on the way to their other job and the kids eat snacks, high-fructose sodas and fast food. They hardly get any sleep, and—forget about exercise. So, now we have the shameful reputation as the most obese nation on the planet.
Europeans have always called us "stupid Americans" and maybe, rightly so, it seems. Europeans know how to take it easy. They don't work as much as we do, they play, take vacations and enjoy life. They seem to be content with what they have and don't always need more, and more, and more.
Just talking about all this stuff is making ME cranky—
I need a vacation!!
