Another important change that needs to happen is in how some local businesses treat employees. Many local businesses have horrible reputations for abusing their employees and exploiting their workforce because their pool of candidates is vast. When economic times were plump in the late 1990s, we used to have to enroll people to work for us and nurture them with benefits and awesome company culture. Today’s business owners seem to have forgotten how hard good is to find, and how valuable good help is. In the time I’ve lived upstate, I’ve been disheartened at the number of disreputable people I’ve worked for and how much they take their employees for granted. This is not only a detriment to business but the entire fabric of the Hudson Valley economy.
People are valuable and every single person in this country deserves to have a job, a home, a decent quality of life. Just because the system is failing doesn’t mean we have to keep being part of the system. According to census figures, the Hudson Valley continues to grow in population, unlike other parts of the state and region, and there’s a more robust business culture than ever before. Let’s exploit it, support it and make it work.
I’ve been a sustainable-living activist for years, but now more than ever we have a sense of urgency. The United States of the American Empire are falling, and failing. The worst part is because we are dependent on national corporations and brands we are part of that demise. Let’s break our dependence on giant chain retailers and get off the economic grid. Imagine a Hudson Valley thriving with wealth and abundance with jobs and locally owned businesses. It’s not that far-fetched.
Not with you on the Marx part but I completely agree that supporting local businesses is a huge part of the solution – local shops, local banks, local food. Take that thinking one step further and use a local currency which keeps more more money in the local community. We can not depend on the government to solve our problems when they are the problem. Corporatism is the problem, and Obama is just as much a part of that system as the many Presidents before him were. Right now there is only one person running for president who wants to end corporatism, ensure that we have a sound currency, end the wars, and is NOT financed by big banks. That person is Ron Paul. Do not dismiss him because CNN and Fox tell you he is crazy or unelectable. Do your own research, every person in this nation owes it to our country to listen to what he has to say and make up your own mind about him. He has more individual contributors to his campaign than the other GOP candidates, but with an average contribution of $110. He is financed by the people, not the corporations that are plaguing us. He will work for the people. If the OWS movement has taught us anything it is that the people are motivated and want real change. He is the only one that offers that. Obama is not on our side like we thought he was. He has huge campaign contributions from Goldman Sacs and Morgan Stanley, and his administration is full of Wall St. execs. He is not even pretending to be on our side. His support of Wall St. is blatant and disrespectful to the people that elected him. We have a voice, let us use it to end corporatism. Don’t let the media tell you who is electable and who is not. Anyone is electable is they have the support of the people!
Thank you for your comment… I can tell you this… as I watched the Obama campaign machine roll out, and all the Volvo’s with the Obama stickers on them driven by cute old lefty ladies… I knew… we were doooooooomed! You’re right, unless everyone REALLY votes for someone who is going to impress CHANGE and not be swayed by $$$ …. we’re doomed. Anyway, I do hope you’re feeling inspired to be even more mindful of how you spend your own dollars… It’s a start.
Occupy everything around you, and coordinate with others who want to occupy the same space. Failure to do this will result in you not getting what you want. Anyhow, just my 2 cents on it.