The Simple Math; or The Coming Disconnect

he Janesville Gazette lead with a story today on the impact of rising utility costs over the past decade. If you just do the math, it just does not add up. There is a big disconnect coming.

The baby boomers that will enter retirement have a social security benefit that will average $1100 per month. It is easy for utilities and gasoline and meds to eat all that up, leaving nothing to eat or living expenses. It is time for all you independent types out there to review your IRA and 401K results for the past 10 years. O.K. That was a short review. I was refering to the statements that you have been unable to even open for years cause the results were so bad.

Despite 5 or 6 hurricanes, folks are heading to Florida. Down South. Out West. Anywhere. To avoid the energy crisis. And companies are relocating to the West and South to avoid the coming distress of the Northeast and Midwest. This does not bode well for those communities that are on a "growth bicycle". Growth is needed. Government investments cannot be wasted in nonproductive pork. Tax increment is important. Jobs are important. Tax base is important.

Jimmy Carter wore his cardigan sweater and told America 30 years ago that we needed to be energy independent. America just laughed at him. Now, America is paying the price.