Hello again! All four of my “loyal readers” may have noticed that it’s been a couple of months since my last contribution. Extreme amounts of travel and activity in the “day job” have had me running around like crazy. In fact, I’m writing this article while flying on a big airplane over a big ocean on a seemingly endless flight! The good folks at Recharger were kind enough to give me a break for a couple of issues to let me catch my breath. Thanks guys.
It seems like for the past few months two major stories have been occupying the U.S. media space and news. The primary elections for president and the economy. I bring up the election because it is a very interesting study on the issues that have taken the forefront of our minds lately. At the start of the election cycle, nearly a year ago, the primary issues were all centered on homeland security and the war in Iraq; clearly issues that have engendered great passion and debate. Back then, it seemed impossible that any other issue could or would displace this great big, all-consuming story.
But guess what? Something did. The economy.
Kicked off by the credit crunch and collapse of the sub-prime lending markets, a sense of unease and sometimes panic started to affect our financial markets. People’s home values started to fall. Their access to borrowing and subsequent ability to buy new things — big things like houses — became more difficult. In a general sense, many people began to feel “poorer” than they did a year ago.
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This article will be available online on 10/01/2008
