You’re On Your Own, Economy
2 recent news pieces have made me decide to stop helping the economy by making purchases or trips that I don’t, strictly speaking, need.
First there was this story: http://www.news1130.com/news/local/more.jsp?content=20090316_091532_8788
It said “We’re still shopping and we’re still dining out. A new poll finds despite the economic downturn, many of us are still spending. Nearly half of Canadians surveyed by Harris-Decima for Scotia Bank say they have not changed their spending habits in the last six months… just over one third of Canadians admit they’re spending more these days.”
This made me think the Canadian economy is doing fine and no longer requires my help.
Then there was this story:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/03/16/bc-borderprotectionism.html
The short version of which is basically a guy that sells things in Canada made by Americans and therefore creating jobs in the US, was not allowed entry into the US because the border guard decided he was stealing American jobs even when he was in fact doing the opposite.
This made me think that if the US wants to go protectionist and allow this kind of behavior, they don’t need my money either.
Now I still want a decent vacation this year, don’t get me wrong the economy good or bad isn’t going to stop that but I may put Edmonton and Toronto back on the list of possibilities given that border guard story – I’d still much rather go to California but I’m ever so slightly less in love with the idea, but only slightly.
But extra trips to Krispy Kreme or making an effort to dine at my favorite restaurants or buy things I don’t need can be suspended. To quote C.J. Cregg, “I’m moving the goal posts and declaring victory”. I pronounce the Canadian economy fixed and the American economy can go to hell for all I care. If Six Flags goes under someone else will probably come along and buy their parks anyways – the parks themselves are profitable, it’s the company’s asset and debt management as well as a falling stock price that got them into trouble. Now I’ll focus on rebuilding my savings and only buying things I need like new shoes and a new umbrella. Maybe some sweet Rock Band DLC if they ever get the Wii caught up with some decent offerings like R.E.M.’s Losing My Religion, The Killer’s Mr. Brightside, Lenny Kravitz’s Are You Gonna Go My Way, Duran Duran’s Rio and Girls On Film, or Foo Fighter’s The Colour And The Shape album.
