Weekly Analysis--Week 2

This week for my topic on popular culture I went in search of something that is really going on and is at the top of most Americans’ minds…well at least most of us. The economy and concepts of “GREEN” come into play. Lately, I have seen so many commercials and advertising for “GO GREEN” and I wonder why all of a sudden so many people are rallying behind this concept. I’m not much of a Democrat or even a Republican, I consider myself somewhere in the middle. I do not believe in helping those that won’t help themselves but I don’t believe in keeping the rich rich and the poor poor. Social classes are a part of being an American but in times like these we all need to get together to help each other.

In my search I found a very interesting article, “A Greener New Deal?” written by Alex Weinberg and found at http://www.americanpopularculture.com/emerging.htm, check it out if this interests you. He gives interesting ideas on “going green” that can also help the people and the economy. Basically, Alex speaks about how difficult the road ahead will be for our new President Obama because the American people are looking for someone who can “lower taxes, balance the budget, provide a bailout, increase domestic security, create a new health care system, AND create jobs”? Weinberg also goes into an idea to help with most of these issues. Most of us probably have a few ideas that can help “stimulate” our economy, or lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and maybe even ideas on how to create much needed jobs. Although he is one man and not many people read his article, he does provide a few good plans that if were possibly considered, could work.

The thing is, we need to stop providing these companies and banks with bailouts because what is happening is that they are taking the money and not redistributing it back into the economy which is what we need! Instead they are hording it so they can ensure they don’t go under, but without people to get loans and invest in these banks and companies; they wouldn’t be here in the first place. We also do not need individual stimulus packages. What we need, and it’s a vicious cycle, is jobs so that people can make money and therefore spend money which will stimulate the economy!! It’s a logical solution but somehow seems impossible to manage.

People keep talking about going into another depression but if you get the chance to speak with senior citizens that lived through the first one, they can tell you we are not experiencing a depression, just some really bad times. But if things don’t get better and find a way out, we could find ourselves…..depressed.