The Biggest Problem with the American Economy

        The problem is that the money is LEAVING the country - the only way to fix this is through the American people - if we keep sending more money overseas then there is less to spread around the US - doesn't anybody else see inflation coming?
        We need to act now - if we buy American products owned by foreign investors - money is going overseas - if you buy from corporations and not local businesses - you are sending money out of your community - if you do not bank locally - you are hurting your local economy
       If we do not change our habits the government is going to end up running every aspect of our lives - where is the freedom in that ?
       Simply put - we are in trouble because our money is LEAVING the country because of the choices WE make on a daily basis. We are shooting ourselves in the foot and crippling our own economy.
      I don't care what party you belong to - your leader's hands will be tied if this problem is not resolved - the answers are simple. I will spell it out again - long version - later today
     Spread this message - we can take hold of this - I know the American people want to do this but do not know how - this can make this easy for them - balancing this is really quite simple if we can get the ear of the people.

Imports Claim Another Victim

My heart sank today after reading about a town in Nevada that will cease to exist (zip code and all) after June 20, 2011. The town was called Empire and was once home of the United States Gypsum Corporation. They have operated there 100 years and produced drywall. They are a fortune 500 company. People will say because of the slump in house building the company had to close the plant - I blame the imported drywall. Does anyone remember the news about all the toxic Chinese drywall that they used in those newer homes in Florida? Why were those builders using imported products to begin with - Oh yeah - the price was cheaper. Cheaper because of the lower standards and now people have lost their homes and have serious health problems as a result of their builders greed and our GOVERNMENTS negligence. That's right - I am blaming the government on this one. WHY does the government allow sub-standard products in our country? Why do American businesses have to live up to such a high standard to protect the US citizen and then the government allow toxic imports in. Double standard?   If we are going to get poisoned then why not by other Americans - at least that way the money would be in our country and we wouldn't be in a recession - or here's a better idea - why not make the imports coming into our country be at American standards - then at least the prices would be even and the American businessman would catch a break - as well as our country not being over run with health issues.
Want to cut health care ???  KEEP POISON PRODUCTS OVERSEAS - our country needs to turn it's nose up to these cheap plastics and protect ourselves from the damage they cause to our bodies.
We have to change our spending habits now and quit KILLING our country in every way possible.
Empire, Nevada - my heart breaks for you. United States Gypsum Co. is reportedly helping the town with free housing, etc...  It is nice to hear someone trying to do their part to help fellow Americans - Isn't it time we do ours and sacrifice the pleasures of imported doo dads and buy what we really need from local vendors and American made if possible?  KNOW where your money goes - even when you bank - who owns the "American" companies we buy from?  Find a locally owned gas station and start using it for God's sake - WE OWE THIS TO OUR KIDS - they would rather have a country to grow up in than a cheap plastic Chinese toxic toy!
Amanda Schalau
Average American

America Can Survive and Thrive

    Our country is at a crossroads - our decisions in the next few months could affect the outcome of our economic strength for decades. The answers being presented around the Internet are time consuming, inconvenient and quite frankly ineffective. The efforts are there - people do care and that is what I have been looking for. It has presented to me that America is without hope - doomed to an economic depression beyond all imagination. There will be riots in the streets and starving children. All this because Americans are selfish and lazy. They no longer have the spirit or drive to take action. They have become a mass of followers and prefer to point their fingers and whine. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS.
  Our country was founded by our forefathers setting aside their differences and working for a common good. They carried in their hearts an unwavering sense of patriotism, compassion and brotherhood. They established a foundation for freedom and equality like no other country had ever had before on earth. This fire burns in the hearts of all Americans - it is witnessed when a threat to our country fans the embers and reignites the flames of passion that Americans feel for their country.  We are a country that does not give up - we fight for what is right - we are strong.
  Our attentions are being diverted from real issues that will make a difference in our lives - as the donkeys and elephants continue to trample on democracy in Washington  - we are watching and waiting for an outcome that will make little difference to us if we cannot change the public mindset of social and fiscal responsibility.  The power of the government is only as strong as the people it represents.  We define the government by our actions (not our words) They do not define us. We cannot wait until we are pushed to the brink of desperation before we take action. We cannot allow our situations to worsen while we wait on the red tape in Washington to unravel. The results of our combined actions will be bigger than any legislation passed in congress.  I am talking about the effect it will have on our everyday lives - long term change - for the people - by the people. 
  Think this doesn't apply to you - think again.  You may not be headed for unemployment or welfare but inflation will soon start eating into your stock pile of cash.  If the government can't pay for our military - are you really going to feel that safe living in a country that cannot defend itself from terrorists?  "United We Stand Divided We Fall" means a lot more than people realize.
   Our country needs a renewed sense of hope and pride - we need a united productive direction to prove that we are still cut from the same moral fiber as the great patriots that founded this great country of ours.  Our forefathers were asked to lay down their lives in the name of liberty and freedom and they did this without hesitation. What we can do for our country does not come with such a steep price but is just as important. Do not allow Lady Liberty to stumble and fall on our watch - let's prove that our generation of Americans can be as strong as the great generations of Americans before us.
Shop Local - Buy American - support your neighborhoods - quit listening to the negative banter about a dying cause - know where your money goes and keep it local if not in the country. Quit being a zombies and stay out of Walmart (70% Chinese products)  Start your Christmas shopping now and go to local vendors to fill your orders - Do you realize the run off of American dollars at Christmas time - never to return - Is it possible to have an "American Made" Christmas? Our country cannot survive the flow of money out anymore - what is more important - that silly piece of plastic for little Susie - or a country for her to grow up in.
We take our country back - We are REAL people with REAL values and our children are not spoiled brats that have to have these chinese toys - we can live without the junk until an American company comes along and makes it for us to buy from our local vendor - the % of $ that stays in your community will amaze you if you all get onboard.
I will be putting out the community plans to get started soon - all this is free - I do not get paid - it comes from my heart and what I feel for my country and my community and my family. It is what we are all supposed to do for mankind - help without expectation of payment. There will also be ways for you to get involved by forwarding ideas to local businesses - and how you can start to modify your spending habits in small ways that will make a difference.  I am here to answer questions - solve problems - and lend a hand. Everything that will be put forth in this "plan" has been thought out and easily adaptable to the busy working class American lifestyle. Ease and convenience are key to getting this to work and online ordering is good from some things, but not the answer to everything.  I am getting all the info a patriot needs into one spot - and this is information that will change your communities - for free - I will not be selling anything.
Get ready for our country to move towards recovery - we will survive and thrive!
God Bless America
Average American
Amanda Schalau
If you are interested in helping save the American Economy - please spread

Big Biz Runs for the Border

        The purpose for this blog is education - we intend to educate the American public on how their everyday choices reflect on the economy, to shop responsibly, to poke fun at some of the extreme politicking going on, and above else we want to help our fellow man.  We believe that most Americans do not realize the power they yield at the check out register and that if they had a bit of help understanding where their hard earned cash is going - they would make better choices. Responsible spending will bring with it - a lower deficit, more money in your community, more jobs, better jobs, better education, higher home values, less crime, etc...  All of these things are happening in India right now - they have a growing middle class as the American middle class shrinks.  I wonder if that has something to do with all the jobs our American Big Biz have moved there to avoid our governments regulations? hmmmm
     If you have made it this far through the blog and you are yawning right now then apparently you fail to understand how this is going to affect you. So your job is safe - you are indespensible - you have it made - right?  Wrong!  Think again - the next time you pull out in your BMW I want you to take a look around at your neighborhood. How secure is it going to be as the middle class disappears and your fellow citizens begin to turn to crime? Look at the public parks - how long will the money last before funding is cut to support those little luxuries in life - feeding straving families surely will override cutting the grass. What abouit all those lovely little independently owned businesses that line the streets of your hometown - will they still be there after these big box chain stores plopped down in the middle of town and are given all these tax breaks resulting in the little guy not being able to compete. Now that middle class American citizens are becoming lower class Americans - has anyone thought about their tax dollars shrinking as well? You can't get blood from a turnip you know. So where will these new tax dollars come from - YOU - the future over taxed citizens - because remember - you still have your job - the government still has to get paid - big biz is protecting itself by running over the border. 
     So before you roll your eyes and say it doesn't apply to you - Think Again - spread the message - we are going to continue ongoing education about the money trail. We are not selling anything - but like you, We will benefit from having a better America and it can happen quicker and have more impact if we do it ourselves instead of waiting on Washington to cut through all the red tape!
Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
Average American

Beer and Hair - How It Begins

   Beer - Before the first European stepped foot onto this great country of ours, the Native American Indians were brewing up batches of beer made from what the land had to offer - corn, water, birch sap, as well as a variety of other things. As the early colonials began to populate the land, different styles of brewing developed and beer quickly became a mainstay in the American diet as opposed to wine like in many other countries. By the time prohibition came along there were thousands of microbreweries spread across the land offering up different styles and taste as varied as the location and craftsmen they were coming from. It was an art form as well as an inexpensive refreshing treat for the working class.  You could tell where you were by the beer in your mug.    When the 18th amendment outlawed the production, consumption and sale of beer, thousands of these micro breweries closed their doors and part of our American culture was lost forever. When prohibition ended 13 years later, the larger breweries bounced back and they are responsible for the production of the majority of the beer produced in America today.
   Prohibition brought with it organized crime, prisons filled to capacity, unemployment, and a loss of legitimate taxes. All this because the government wanted to legsilate our morality. So the government made a mistake - how does this affect you now? It has been almost 100 years and we are still feeling the ripple of prohibition. 
   We lost thousands of small businesses that shaped our country and those businesses were replaced by the larger beer companies that mass produce a lower quality product. Most of these large beer companies are not even American owned - yes they are still produced in America and provide jobs for Americans - however - the bottom line is where is the money going at the end of the day - the money is being tapped out of our economy like beer from a keg.
   As I looked at the history of beer and saw how far it had come through the years, I did note that one of the only good things that came out of the self indulgent 1980's was an interest in micro brewed beer again. Those microbreweries have grown and now offer us a choice between the 100% American beer or the "We make it here" beer that is so widely consumed today.
   And of course - as I pondered the 1980's, I thought back to my preteen years and how I was determined to have the biggest perm in school. This had me thinking of the beauty salon and how the beauty shop and barber shop employees were truly our first form of social media. I am sure that any beauty salon worth it's weight could spread any news quicker thn facebook and twitter combined.
  So my goal today was to start a discussion at the beauty shop about buying a 100% American beer instead of the regular cans of blah.  We decided that if enough people started buying the 100% American beer that it would be good for the economy as well as for a spice of flavor in our lives - but would the husbands go for this - hmmmmm. That is a whole different question - is their patriotism stronger than their desire for the mundane and bland cans of comfort they have clung to since their teenage years? Do they even realize that part of their hard earned American cash is heading overseas with every ice cold sip? Would they be willing to and be proud to sport an ice chest full of American pride to this weekend's ballgame?
We will cross our fingers and hope - God Bless America
Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
Average American  ;-)

Saving America is More Than A One Man Job

    I was tweeting the other day and ranting about the economy and how people should shop local and buy made in America products - when I got a reply from @NiceGent - his site promotes US made products. Go to it and click the link for a listing of where to find a variety of thing made in the USA.  Anyway - back to my point - he used the word "we" all have to do our part. I have been going about this project head strong that I was going to get this done. I, I, I - me, me, me. 
   How dare I look at this in that way - I did not come up with the concept of "buy Local" nor did I think up "Buy American" - what made me think that I could turn a nation's thinking around all by myself? Was I so arrogant that I thought I could do this single handily? Seriously - I was in for a reality check - people have been working for years to get this message out - why do Americans like myself and @NiceGent among countless others continue to have to remind fellow Americans WHY they should be more aware of where their money is going and how this is going to help their communities as well as their country survive?  What is it that we are doing wrong trying to get the message across and how can I make a difference in this large group of people with the same goals?
   What talents that have been given to me by God will further the cause? How can I make a difference doing the same thing that so many other are doing? Should I give up? Is this a lost cause? The answer of course is NO.
    The reason there are so many people trying to do this is because it is important. I was given the gift of gab by our dear Lord and I intend to use that talent to the fullest - I have also been blessed with common sense. My desire to see this thing through to the bitter end is fueled by human loss - a powerful incentive to say the least.  I have the ability to organize reasonable efforts that can be implemented immediately.  And the last thing I can bring to the table - I was in insurance marketing for 15 years - I was a head hunter of sorts - I can link up individuals and organizations that will benefit each other. I am not a threat because I sell nothing and I am doing this with pure intentions.
   So moving forward in America's quest to fix the economy - I will be finding better ways to utilize my talents - not just begging the American public to Shop Local and Buy American. If I intend to make a splash in this cause - I will have to start helping the others that already have begun this monumental task of spreading awareness. The impact of my work will not be seen in the number of my followers - but in the added success of those who are supporting the cause by offering American products. I am here at their service and the American public's to help make our country a better place.
Sincerely,
Amanda Schalau
Average American
The next blog will be on How YOU can help in small ways!

Have Big Business & the Government Turned it's Back on Us?

   I grow tired of the red tape and the excuses that are being presented to me about why "Buy American" cannot and should not work. The truth of the matter is that people who say it should not be done are the big businesses that have found a less expensive and more efficient way to operate. Yes these companies have sold out their fellow Americans for a few bucks. They decided that the bottom line was more important - what they have failed to realize is that their customer base is going broke. They start peddling their services and products overseas and then they are okay again but we are left holding nothing but a pink slip. These companies that have supported American familes for years - that built their wealth off of our population have turned their backs on us. - and why?  Because the USA government imposes stricter labor laws and environmental standards than the third world countries do.
  What does this mean to you - do you think you matter to that big business or to any of those political parties now? You don't - The political parties are going to follow the money trail - the businesses just threw you away.  The political parties are going to cater to big business to keep their bankroll.
  The only thing you have left is your fellow Americans left out to fend for themselves. All is not lost - we can band together and take back our country with simply beginning to buy American made products - demand that is the way it has to be = teach your children - or the greed that has consumed our leaders will rear it's ugly head for generations to come
  We are becoming a nation of very rich and very poor - there will be no middle class - I refuse to watch this happen to my great country when all we have to do is buy American.
Think about it - let's take America back. One purchase at a time.
Amanda Schalau
Average American

We Need A Hero!

    This past weekend I decided to see The Pirates of the Caribbean - for some odd reason I, like the rest of the world, am fascinated by Captain Jack - even though he is a vulgar drunk that looks like he would stink if you were too close to him. I was raised in Louisiana so I guess I am not offended by this because I have been to Mardi Gras several times. As the previews began to play, I took note of the types of movies that were headed my way this summer. The list included "Hung Over 2", "X-Men", "Super 8", "The Green Lantern", "Mr. Popper's Penguins", "Transformers", The Zookeeper", Captain America", "Harry Potter", and "Cowboys And Aliens".
    The audience sat with looks of anticipation on the edge of their seats, absorbing the previews and was delighted with what Hollywood had to offer them over the next few months. I, on the other hand, looked at this in a different way. What I saw was a line up of fantasy films spotted with a few comedies.  It was a reflection of the times that we are in.  When the economy is on the downside, Hollywood knows that America wants to escape from the reality of life. They know we are looking for fantastical heroes that will save the Earth and make everything alright. We long for those wonderful characters that always prove that good prevails over evil.
  It was that way in the 1970's with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg giving us "Star Wars" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" when there were issues with oil and gas prices. In 2008 there was a summer of "The Hulk",  "Iron Man" and a Batman movie - all there to deter attention from the recession. And now we face another summer of fantasy flicks to help ease our minds of the economy and the national deficit.
   Seeing the way that  Hollywood and  Americans handle their entertainment choices in these hard times it is no wonder that it is easy for the country as a whole to turn a blind eye to the problems our nation is facing.  Distracting ourselves with fantasies and not facing the realities is allowing politicians and big businesses to make decisions for us and to go unchecked. Believing that good always trumps evil has enabled these people in power to make terrible decisions on our behalf because we believed they would use these powers given to them responsibly.
  It is so common to hear people complain about the state of things in the economy - but then turn back to their daily lives and do nothing. They wait for someone else to take action for them and save the world from a terrible injustice - just like in the movies - they are waiting for their Super Hero to come along and save the day.

But wait - what's that?!?
It's faster than a spending politician!
More powerful when you buy locally!
Able to leap tall piles of imported products in a single bound!
Look up into the sky!
It's Jobs!   It's Opportunity!

It's Captain Buy American!

 Sincerely - Amanda Schalau
Average American!
  

If The World Ends - Washington is Off the Hook

        Because the world is supposed to end tomorrow I decided that worrying about America's future today is just a waste of time.  Why should I be bothered with all the spending in Washington if no one is going to have to pay the bill anyway?  Who cares that there are millions unemployed and will not be able to find a decent job because we have sent all our jobs overseas? I mean we really should be thanking our government for all those unfair trade laws that made it impossible for the American companies to compete and keep their workers employed. Bringing all those imports in was helping us out. We should thank them for all the time they afforded us to stay home and relax with our families in these latter days before armageddon. Without all the unfair treatment towards the American businesses - there would be millions of Americans wasting their time at work today.
       Apparantly - our government has had it all figured out from the beginning - No Jobs and No Money didn't matter - they knew the whole time that we wouldn't be needing to work for the future - there would be no generation after us to have to clean up the mess. They are so smart - now I know why we elected them.
       I wonder if they know what they are going to do if they are wrong and there is a tomorrow?

Flag Burners Beware -

The link below is of a guy who tried to burn the American Flag on the LSU campus - Yes he had the right to assemble - but the ones who stopped him had the right to assemble too - I for one am tired of these stupid protest - tha flag represents his freedom so why would he burn it ? - get the HELL out of the country if you hate it so much.     If you need that much attention then go get therapy - get a grip

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUb_qvHX_wc&feature=player_embedded

People need to think how their actions really make them look stupid - remember 9/11 - it's just not popular to burn flags anyone. Go hug a tree or something useful.  Or find a new crack dealer because whatever you are smoking is making you stupid

Spelled Out Again in Black and White

Someone else thinks like me !!!  I am not alone!!!!

Did y’all see  Diane Sawyer's special report. They removed ALL items from a typical, middle class family's home that were not made in the USA .   There was hardly anything left besides the kitchen sink. Literally. During the special they are going to show truckloads of items - USA made - being brought in to replace everything and will be talking about how to find these items and the difference in price etc..   It was interesting that Diane said that if every American spent just $64 more than normal on USA made items this year, it would create something like 200,000 new jobs! I WAS BUYING FOOD THE OTHER DAY AT WALMART and ON THE LABEL OF SOME PRODUCTS IT SAID 'FROM CHINA ’ FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF THE MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN 'FROM CHINA ' I WAS SHOCKED SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS I BOUGHT THE LIBERTY GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE SINCE IT'S FROM CALIF. Are we Americans as dumb as we appear --- or --- is it that we just do not think while the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior and even toxic products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets? 70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended. Why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? DO IT YOURSELF, AMERICA !! Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without.   The point is do not wait for the government to act. Just go ahead and assume control on your own. THINK ABOUT THIS: If 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!! Most of the people who have been reading about this matter are planning on implementing this on May 1st and continue it until June 1st. That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their American exports. Then they might have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it. Remember, May 1 thru June 1!!!!!! START NOW. Send this to everybody you know. Let's show them that we are Americans and NOBODY can take us for granted. If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives, WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET! Pass it on, America .

What THEY Want You to Believe

       I know that I have been focusing most of my blogs about manufacturing jobs being lost to overseas, but people need to understand it's no longer only manufacturing jobs that are moving overseas. Technology today has made it easier for most all  types of jobs to be located almost anywhere. This means that  thousands of software development and call-center jobs that used to be located in the USA  have outsourced their business overseas. So our service based economy is suffering and beginning to collapse.                                  Many economists would have us believe that globalization benefits Americans by lowering prices on goods and services.  You can pretty much get an everyday low price on anything these days at your local super centers that make it impossible for the local small businesses to compete. The economists say that this allows these BIG businesses to use the money they save from outsourcing to create other higher-skilled, better-paying jobs in the United States. But if they are outsourcing the manufacturing and NOW outsourcing the service parts of their companies - HOW exactly are we benefiting again? ;In the same breath, they say, 'the countries gaining jobs benefit from stronger economic growth and greater stability'.  So isn't that the answer to our country's problems right now?
    If the answer to a stronger economy and more stability lies in having more jobs - manufacturing and service oriented alike - then why again do we allow things to get outsourced overseas?  If we have no jobs how are we going to buy all these discounted goods from overseas? If we had jobs - couldn't we just pay a few cents more for the American made products?  
     And why did we pass the Buy American Act if BIG companies get to apply for waivers and not follow it at all.  Obama said last year in Feb or May I believe that we had to increase our exports to balance the import/export trade - Why can't we just start making our own things here in the USA?
    The answer is so obvious - the security and economic health of our country depends on us demanding American made products - and our government needs to make it easier for this to happen. But we have got to do our part too - BUY American - from a local business - keep your money in your local community.
That was your Wednesday Rant
I have a plan - stay tuned!
Sincerely, Amanda Schalau

My Most Important Message To Date

       Someone said to me - "Our country has it's up and downs, we will bounce back, we always do" and that got me to thinking.  Times are different now - people cannot really believe that this is a passing phase and everything will be fine in a couple of years after we get a new crop of politicians in office.
      If you look back at all the times when the USA was suffering from a failing economy - people have to see that we were a different country then - a different group of citizens with different skillsets.  The 1920's and 30's for instance - people farmed back then. When the economy  took a turn for the worse - people still could eat and survive. 
      Our country started out as an agricultural oriented country, then it moved to a manufacturing oriented country, and now we sit at being a service oriented country. And those service jobs are being outsourced overseas because it is cheaper to do business that way.
     America sits now with no real manufacturing base to fall back on. The reason behind that would be the trade deficit - put in plain terms - EVERYTIME WE IMPORT IN GOODS - WE EXPORT JOBS OUT.  We bring in alot more than we send out (unless you are talking about $$$).
     The way I see it is that either we as a people bond together and start buy American products only - or get ready to plow the fields because we middle and lower class citizens are on our way to growing our on personal food. The government will not be able to keep us all on food stamps and if they do not change the way they handle the import export trade - they may have a revolution on their hands.
    We have got to spread the word to everyone the importance of buying American made products before we fall so far back that we are unable to recover.
     Remember the average American is the one who counts and the ones making our choices have no idea what it is like to be an average American.  The policies that have been put into place make things harder to operate businesses in our own country - and have made it easier for foreign countries to get their goods in here at lower costs. 
      Unemployment to the ones making the laws is just a number - to the middle and lower class - it means whether or not the kids are going to eat,  it also means whether or not the other desperate unemployed citizens are going to turn to crime to survive.
    The only ones who can stop the downward spiral is us. We have to care about our futures and not be drawn in by lower priced foreign items and begin demanding all our necessities be met with American products.  They have made it to where I cannot survive in this world without being forced to use something that is made overseas or deal with an operator that is based in India.
That was your Tuesday morning rant - I think I am on day 14 - it's all running together now
I am still working hard on organizing this "movement" or "cause" or whatever you want to call it - It started as a summer project for Lauren - but it is taking a life of it's own.
Please keep up with this blog - follow us and be ready to take action with us. All we are asking is that you help draw the line and say NO to throwing away our country's wealth so that we can bring back the JOBS and support our own people first.

Always Sincere - Amanda Schalau
ALocalWay@aol.com