Times are going to get worse before they get better.
As grim and negative as this might sound, it’s actually a very accurate statement.
Analysts expect for the United States to hit an all-time low by October 2009. The state of the economy at that time is expected to be the worse this country has ever seen. Americans need not be fooled into believing that because President Bush won’t be in the White House next year that our problems are over, because that’s the furthest thing from the truth. What is true however is that the problems we’re currently facing from an economic standpoint will take some time to resolve — despite whose in the White House. As with weight loss, there’s no magic pill that will get the weight off and keep it off. Instead, one has to determine what led to the weight gain, and then find solutions to those issues before even tackling the problem head-on.
The United States’ current economic climate in general is in tremendous despair. The cost of food is escalating at alarming rates and gas prices continue to skyrocket.
Consider the negative impact that the latter is having on Americans alone. At Recorder press time, the Associated Press noted that the average cost of regular unleaded gasoline in this country was $4.03 per gallon. In Indiana minimum wage is $5.85, so there are people working simply to pay for gas. It’s ridiculous the pressure that Americans are experiencing as a result of negligent decisions made by the current administration. This crisis is affecting people at all levels, not just the working class. I personally know people who make upwards of six figures and are seeking additional employment to subsidize their lifestyle.
People are working two and three jobs for ends to meet, and those ends still aren’t meeting. I strongly encourage you to reevaluate current situations in an effort to safeguard yourself against future disparities.
Here are some things to consider:
Save money — Let’s be honest…saving money isn’t a top priority for many Blacks, but given the current economic state, it’s mandatory. Jobs are cutting hours and even laying employees off because the economy is so bad. Save as much money as you can to protect yourself in the event that you’re not able to generate income.
Have a back-up plan — Even if you’re able to save a nice amount of money, it will only last a specific period of time, so you still need a back-up plan. Many people are looking at side businesses to generate additional money. The good thing about many of these side businesses is that oftentimes you can be your own boss, which is the best type of job security around.
Put the egos away — There are lots of people who need more money to supplement their income, yet they are too egotistical to get an additional job because they’re worried about “what people may think.” Put your ego to the side and do what’s necessary to take care of you and your family.
Hold elected officials accountable — This year has been the most exciting and talked-about political session ever, but don’t get so caught up in the hype that you forget the real issues. Pay attention to what candidates are saying regarding things of utmost concern to you such as insurance and adequate healthcare.
In Indiana, we still have two major offices to vote for in November: governor and president of the United States. The candidates for these offices have plenty of time to come up with strong economic proposals that will benefit the American people. Make sure that you are well-informed of the candidates’ stance on particular issues, because when elected, their decision making policies will directly impact you.
