Pioneering The Next Economy
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Time to ban together is NOW!
Pioneers of Economic Recovery
Fixing the Economy
Times have changed globally - too many people - to much wealth in the hands of too few - and we have stopped looking at ourselves as the solution. We continually point our finger to government and big companies, both for help and to blame. This article is an example of a solution to get us working together as the pioneers did. To get a better view of the attitude this article is trying to get across I encourage your to read "Saving the middle class" before you read this one.
With Service Clubs and Equipment Rental Stores.
With the global economic situation in the state it is, I believe the time is now for us to learn to work together as the pioneers of this great land did. Since the days of the work bees (having neighbors coming to ones aid to freely build a home or a barn as they did in the past) are over, we need to create that same pioneer spirit, but in a more modern way.
Too long we have looked to Government to help us out. It is plain to see when we point our fingers at government, three fingers point back to us. That translates into a huge cost to the tax-paying citizen. Each finger being worth $25, for every $100 the government takes in, only $25 gets used in a useful and meaningful way and $75 is wasted. Truth is, economic change begins with us from the bottom up, not from the top down.
We must create a spirit of optimism and cooperation from the ground up. We need to do something that is fair to all concerned and that could build better friendships, just like the work bees of the pioneers. Today’s answer is different than a work bee, but we can do it!
Below is a simple workable plan those in the Equipment Rental Industry could follow to do just that.
1- Work with a local service club such as Rotary or Lions
2- Set up a tent on your parking lot; divide the cost of tent rental with participating contractors. (Example – 3+ plumbers, 3+ renovation carpenters, 3+ electricians, 3+ landscapers)
3- Invite the community to come and meet the participating contractors. The guest pass would be a $10 fee, donated to the service club. (Each trade could have their own discount to offer guests who have them do work, but they must come to the event to get the contractors coupon)
4- There could also be a silent auction the service club could put together with items donated by building supplies, flooring, window companies and the like.
The participating contractors would have tables in the tent with their own promotional aids to hand out. Everyone sharing ideas, offering their service and advice to guests in a spirit of cooperation and progress. Of course your facility would display equipment one could rent with a discount coupon given to guests.
The possibilities are endless. From having local musicians donating entertainment, providing snack foods plus any other added feature to encourage people to come. Come and meet the contractors. Come and see the equipment you can rent to do your next home improvement. Come and learn ways to do home improvements and network with others in the community who want to take steps to improve their property. Meet others who are making change happen.
The cost for the event is spread out over all participating. From the contractors who contribute to the tent rental, to the promotion costs becoming nothing but time and effort the service club would gladly do as a fund raising effort. I’m certain, local media would even donate promotional news. It becomes a fund raising event that stimulates a community improvement program. It will stimulate a spirit of progress and hope. A spirit just like that of our early pioneers at a neighbors Work Bee.
By working with others in the community and following this simple yet doable program, we can play a huge part in economic recovery. It begins with a spirit of cooperation that creates a shifting of attitude in the community. Shifting the nations attitude into one of hope and action.
This is an event that could benefit all concerned. The cost is just a little time, a little advertising expense, plus the willingness to step up to the plate and swing.
Middle Class to Zero - looks at a deeper point of view !
Batters up!
P.S.
If you think this is a workable plan – please forward to anyone you know in a service club or who owns an equipment rental store.
Neil Sperling
Home Office: 519-583-2721
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TheSablirab - I wonder too!
Can you imagine if just a few cities did this and it was a success? No doubt it would mushroom across the country.... the first brave ones to try it is all it would take, along with a successful outcome of course.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.... you already started the snow ball rolling!
Community initiative and action sans the government's costly assistance. I can't agree with your statement: "We must create a spirit of optimism and cooperation from the ground up." And the plan you present is do-able. A refreshing and concrete approach to working together as one. Thanks for your valuable insight.
This sounds like a very do-able idea. It would work for many types of businesses. People could also offer services in exchange for services. Great idea! :D
Neil, I'm with the rest, it's a good idea but someone has to act as leader, maybe someone in the Chamber or the local councilman should get together.
Gicky, K@ri and Flight - thank you all for taking time to comment.
You all have the drift - it takes someone to get it started - that's why working with a service club makes sense... they are a TEAM. No-one does much alone.
As for why Equipment Rental business's - "they work with contractors and the general public both" and usually have the space (parking lot) to set up...
Why did I choose the construction industry? .... Because the construction industry as a whole employs MANY MANY MANY people... from carpet, window, kitchen cabinet and bathroom fixtures... from manufacturing to installers - all Beautifying our Homes - Upgrading our Neighborhoods thus Upgrading our whole Country!
Full Speed Ahead - One Inch At A Time
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Hi Neil,
I liked idea. Sometimes, just one special moment makes people feel enough brave TO START SOMETHING. Recently, I put all the things in reverse, figuring out how COURAGEOUS always chooses us :) . I am pretty sure some guys and gals would be employed by this idea .
Wish a big success to all!
Branka
I've always like the concept of barter, it's best for a smaller community, but could easily work (with computerization) for larger numbers of people. But the IRS hate it.... how do you collect tax on a fair exchange of time and effort?
Love the hub, thanks for visiting me, I'm about to return the compliment!
Branka - Thanks for the visit to my Hub..... see you at Adland!
aquasilaver - interesting you made comment re: taxes. Not once did I say in the hub that one should be bartering.... that however IS a hidden message I made deliberately. I applaud you for catching that! Thanks
Hi Neil,
This is a really nice read and idea. I have been using pretty much the same thing with my members.
We as a people should try and help each other, everyone would be in a much better place in life if we would work as a team and open our hearts and minds.
Neil,
I like your idea. I also think it is workable. I know if everyone waits for a BIG GOVERNMENT solution they are doomed to disappointment. BIG GOVERNMENT is the problem not the solution.
Steven Steele - Thanks for the post. Yip it works in home business and MLM for sure.
Tom - and so many people just don't get it! Thanks for posting!
Thanks for sending me, Neil.
Great article! You have a new fan.
--Shannon
Thanks Click - I been your fan some time now
Great Hub. it's nice to see someone thinking of other people during tough times.
You're entirely correct about Big Government. I'm optimistic that things will eventually come around, but not in the same way that you're thinking. I believe that the times we are entering, actually the times we've now entered, are unlike any the world has seen despite the apparent similarities to past cycles. We've not in a cycle Neil, we're in the end times. "Lift up your heads and look up for your redemption draws near".
I admire you go-getter attitude.
ediggaty - Thanks.... but thinking of only oneself is utterly boring!
HsProf - I do not believe the end is anywhere close to now. Maybe and end of an era. No doubt in my mind it is a beginning to more change.Thanks a bunch for taking time to read and share your thoughts.
Great Hub! My boss used to work in the States. He said making money there was easy. I am all for people going out there and setting up their own business! People out there have good ideas and are dedicated, they just need a little help, a little Push. I think the best crop of new Startups are forming now even as we speak!
Thanks my cheeky friend - much appreciate your support!
this is a great idea. we have relied too much on the government and they have proven that they cannot handle the workload.
Rgraf - I thank you -- hope you passed the link to this idea along! Team work will help!
Love - Light - Laughter
Neil
Exciting concept, Neil. You are right in that we have become lazy and expect 'government' to do it all for us...and when it can't, we just sit back and moan, blaming government = vicious circle! We have lost the idea of taking the initiative ourselves. Perhaps we have to start looking after ourselves more and not expect everything on a silver platter.
Marieryan - Government has become a puppet to the mega rich. The Mega rich and the government is basically the same people in control. They dish out news trying to show how they are helping the masses but if you look deep it is an illusion. They help those in power and the rest of us pay. The middle class is being squeezed away, and lets face it, the middle class is where the best life style really is and thus the most valuable part of the economy. We need to work together. Period!
Neil - you are so correct and I for one have felt the brunt of this mass govt. and mega rich control the last year. Lost my job in Jan/09 - began creating and manifesting a new world for me as everything seemed to disintegrate, friends and family included.
So while delving into the emotional depths of despair for nearly a year, I tried to follow the "employment insurance" programs which wanted me to work 40 hours a week and learn college level retraining 40 hours a week in order to receive a 28 thousand grant for 2 years. Mighty nice of them to offer me support in my time of need. I'm 10 years from regulated pension retirement. I have locked in pension from working for the govt for 17 years and have it invested - can I get at it now when I need it? Only 25% when I turn 55. The govt. has our retirement money and they've wasted and floundered it right now - if all us babyboomers retired now that we're out of work - the great depression would resume like when everyone went to get their money out of the bank - money is worthless. Plain and simple - yet it's what we're working with and it's value is diminishing daily. - Value for service rendered is what's needed in this world .
So I have arranged to removed some rrsp funds, locked in funds and was fortunate to have an income to live on the next year when my unemployment insurance beneifts run out next week after a year off work (only 37 weeks allowed but because of conditions - an I haven't been unemployed in 30 years - govt is extending 20 weeks).
And I decided that in my "retraining" of my life I would become a reflexologist, BodyTalk Practicioner and relax in comfort in a nice bed and breakfast in the country.....and I always wanted to do a humanitarian trip and love the warm sunny climates as relief from our canadian winters......so you are right - it all starts with us - no matter what our situation. I pulled $2,500 from my pension and paid for a trip through FotoCan to volunteer 2 weeks at an orphanage int he Dominican Repulic. Next year, I'm thinking Peru.
In any event, I will provide reflexology services, humanitarian services and enjoy some relaxing downtime on a beach near the ocean. What can be better than that!. Oh - and in doing all this - I also got a job - casual/on call but in my field of records and information management.
So you see - when we are aware of the mass control, think outside the box, believe in ourselves first and foremost, work for the better good of all, we bring into being the very age of aquarius we were all born into - and - I am myself an aquarian. Many thanks for pointing me to your blog from the traffic exchange, Neil. Your idea is excellent. I myself am doing similar - but no tent. I am offering a free reflexology session to anyone that donates clothing, supplies or cash to my humanitarian effort - you can see more at my blog here:
http://countryroadswellness.blogspot.com/
Thanks and
Laugh, Love, Live
Linda
Linda - Wow - thanks for a cool post complete with a personal story that I'm sure touches many who are or have been through trials.
Keep going - Full Speed Ahead, One Inch At A Time.
Hi Neil,
I saw your banner at a traffic exchange and could identify with it right away. The plan is very workable as the people I associate with has been working this for some 40+ years. We work it on an international level.
It is good to see others with the same concepts working together for the good of others.
Sherwood Lummus
I couldn't read all the comments before I NEEDED to respond...EXACTLY!!!! Geez, and what an awesome-lay-it-out-in-detail approach. I had tears in my eyes through much of this because, as you know...EXACTLY!!! Wow...I LOVE THE UNIVERSE!! I will be meeting with and interviewing the coordinator for our Fort Hood Earth Fest that goed on this coming Friday and I am so excited about it. She has not only agreed to the interview but also to introducing me to some of the other folks that will be there. I am still tryin to get my daughter into the whole thing but I think that the better she keeps feeling inside, the more able she will be to see the beauty beyond herself.
Anyway, I am inspiring local hope...or rather, going to continue to try to do so, and I am very glad that you have shown me a pretty cool way to do that. And in words that I understand too!! HUG
Smashing idea. Not that it shouldn't be more frequent regardless of economic situation--we need to take our money out of giant corporations and give them to the smaller guys to keep the economy balanced.
And the Government better on track.
...I hate lobbyists.
Creative, innovative and great idea. Success is helping ourselves.
Neil,
I like your ideas. You're like a true Marxist, or Socialist, because you've realized that helping the poor and middle-class doesn't have to (and maybe shouldn't come) from the government. Churches and personal charity accomplish the same goals. So does small business capitalism. It's only this too-big-too-fail corporate oligopoly merger with the government that stifles competition and healthy, community-based cooperation.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks,
Dan
Neil I love your optimism but being a very,very working class lass I would be barred ? or have I got it wrong?regards from jandee
Ange - glad you are excited.
oscillationatend - you definitely got my drift.
Danial - You labeled me wrong - I am against both business and government control but all for small business and entrepreneurs.
jandee - you are a Gem. You are not barred at all. Maybe I need to define my opinion of what is middle class. Most working class is at the lower end of the middle class. I'm almost lower class based on income myself but I am not poor in mind. The lower end of the middle class work and get by, save a little plus help our kids. The lower class in my books don't get by without help and they definitely do not have a good attitude. Their hands are out all the time to receive and take but they don't give.
..I think you should pioneer the next economy because anyone with over 8 million followers with just 13 hubs must be doing something right!
epigram - LOL -- 8 million sounds a bit of a stretch. Thanks
Some good ideas here, a great hub.
However, the reason people look to government for help is because the government takes a big chunk of your paycheck. No wonder people are looking to the government for a handout. If they had all the money they paid in for taxes they probably would not need any help...just something to think about, but its true and the middle class pays all the taxes for everyone else too.
Next, we have to learn how to keep the wealth in the family. The middle class does not inherit much wealth these days because the greedy medical industry has made sure they get every last dime out of grandma and grandpa before they die. Years ago, before women were in the workforce, the elderly were cared for at home, and their wealth was tranferred to the rest of the family when they died. Now, they are housed in nursing homes, and all they worked for their entire lives will pay for their last days, by design I think. There should be a better way for everyone involved.
Next, we have to get back our manufacturing base and make it employee owned so that big business can't pick up and move the factory off to another country for slave wages.
You are right, WE have to stick together. WE have to support each other in new and unique ways. WE have to buy what we need to live from each other, and WE have to make it affordable and better to buy and support each other than it is to buy from big business.
WE need to start some kind of a club, kind of like a Sam's club, where you will get the best deal if you buy and do business with members of that club.
The middle class has to support and look out for each other. Maybe we even have to barter with each other and set up our own kind of system of money with each other, whatever it takes, we need to unite so that we can survive and thrive.
Everyday when we watch the news we see the results of letting big business and big government run our lives, and the results are not good. I think we can do a better job taking care of ourselves in the future, but we have to band together to do it.
God save the middle class!
magnoliazz - you got it correct. I love your ideas as they are right on with mine. Thanks for dropping by and taking time to comment - much appreciated.
Neil Sperling: Thank you for putting the personal and community components back into the business world! There is no reason why this cannot succeed since arborists do the equivalent with well attended volunteer environmental educational activities and workshops for the community.
Voted up, etc.,
Derdriu
derdriu - a return to the basics would be a great place to start - not the basics in politics as much as the basics in community. Thanks
TheSablirab 2 years ago
I love this idea; however, it all comes down to choice and I wonder if people would agree to this, but would they implement this idea? I find it to be a marvelous idea, but I wonder if people would actually choose to do it.