Tuesday, March 04, 2003

I remember when the automakers all came out with 0% financing after 9-11 and I thought to myself, "They are punting" They figured they could borrow off the future during the short downturn and by now, when the bills started coming due, the economy would be back on track. Except the economy is still sick and as the Wall Street Journal reported today, all three automakers expect steep declines in sales and production in the next few months. This is not a good time for this to be happening! This has the makings of an economic "Perfect Storm" where negative short term and long term trends converge. For the short term we have high gas prices, world wide economic slowdown, fears of war and terrorism and state and local budget crises. For the long term we have an ongoing health care crisis and the transfer of thousands of manufacturing and service jobs offshore. My question is as follows: As we open our borders to competition from countries with low wages, lax environmental rules, lax workplace safety rules and emnity towards human rights, can't we expect our quality of life to slowly leak out as well? 5:22:13 PM    comment []

I can't figure out what is wrong with me today.  I can't concentrate.  I get frustrated with the smallest problems.  I feel like unplugging my mouse and swinging it around like a morning star in my cube.  I feel like chewing up the Visual Sourcesafe documentation and spitting it out on my computer screen.  This all  feels familiar because I used to feel like this all the time, but not lately.  I am back in paranoialand.  I guess it doesn't hurt to visit your home town every once in a while.  We are babysitting Noah tonight and I am looking forward to that because that kid appreciates legos in a deep way.  11:35:04 AM    comment []

Someone doesn't like google.  9:51:29 AM    comment []