I agree with Robin's speculations concerning global redistribution of wealth across the planet. Speaking of John's suggestions, I'm also certainly in favor of all kinds of increased space exploration in whatever flavor we could negotiate out of congress.
Insofar as developing new forms of employment to counter dwindling jobs within the manufacturing sector it seems to me that a more down-to-earth as well as economical approach would be to create jobs in the service, entertainment, and particularly within a growing number of higher skilled labor fields. Despite the ups and downs our economy has endured these fields of employment have been in a steady state of growth for quite some time. I suspect such growth sectors will only continue to increase. The herculean task of retraining growing sectors of displaced workers, and particularly low-skilled labor previously employed within numerous displaced manufacturing sectors, involves a tremendous amount of forethought and planning. Such action is typically managed on a government level. IMO, I doubt capitalism alone has either the kahunas or vision to finance the educational resources necessary in order to grow a higher skilled labor force our nation desperately needs. Most corporate entities are too wrapped up in instant gratification scenarios pertaining to short-term profits. Ironically, much of this "short-term" behavior is to a large extent dictated by the whims of the share holders, meaning we the citizenry who buy stock in order to fill out our portfolios. Mutual fund & Stock holders always look for the highest performing companies to pad their bank account and retirement funds. As to my own duplicity in this shameful deed: Guilty as charged. As previously stated I don't expect capitalism left alone satisfying its prime directive (i.e.: making profits for its stockholders) as possessing sufficient foresight in leading us out of the economic mess we're currently in. I suspect some form of government foresight is essential in order to help funnel and guide some of the nation's financial resources in the direction of educating those who need it most desperately. Perhaps such rhetoric labels me nothing more than just another annoying bleeding heart liberal commie pinko socialist, particularly in the eyes of certain conservative republicans. But no matter. As an old friend of mine, an avid bookseller and Marxist sympathizer once said to me one day when I chided him as to how would I as an artist make a living in a Marxist world, he teased me with twinkle in his eye and replied: "Learn to paint red tractors, comrade." He then tried to sell me another art book. Regards, Steven Vincent Johnson www.OrionWorks.com www.zazzle.com/orionworks
