tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300274096976708238.post7023691652319361995..comments2024-03-15T00:28:21.349-07:00Comments on THE WORLD ACCORDING TO KIMBA: CULTURE CHANGEKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15313026985830190914noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300274096976708238.post-69891112246814934282009-02-07T21:25:00.000-08:002009-02-07T21:25:00.000-08:00Certainly the degree of one's pessimism is directl...Certainly the degree of one's pessimism is directly related to the likelihood of losing one's job. There is a strong possibility that my husband will be laid off within the next few weeks, and what makes this particularly distressing is the fact that the enterprise for which he works is actually doing quite well. I think that, in some cases, employers may be using the current crisis as an excuse to further agendas unrelated to any need to economize. If true, it sure does add insult to injury.<BR/><BR/>So, have we become more austere? Fortunately for us, we both come from cultures that already are, by definition, fairly austere. I'm one of those "practical New Englanders," and my husband spent most of his life making do with his Cuban ration card. Which begs the question, is our ability to "overcome, survive, and thrive" truly inherent, or is it learned? The point is, though, that it's not going to kill us to keep our 13-year-old car a bit longer, and in spite of a recent kitchen accident that left burn marks all over our countertop, we've decided not to replace it any time soon. On the other hand, as long as we're still both working, we eat out at least once a week, we still take the toll roads, we're making tentative vacation plans, and we count our blessings on a regular basis. My main concern if he loses his job is what we will do about his health insurance. But the health care situation in this country is a whole other discussion!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300274096976708238.post-21065364795729788792009-02-07T10:52:00.000-08:002009-02-07T10:52:00.000-08:00Thanks for your comment. I do agree, however I am ...Thanks for your comment. I do agree, however I am prone to believe that the general concensus is that we do not have an inherent ability to rise up from the ashes (so to speak) and become the superpower we once were.<BR/><BR/>The past eight years have so destroyed this countries confidence that we are doubting if we, in fact have any "inherent abilities" at all. <BR/><BR/>(inherent ability: a permanent and inseparable element, quality, or attribute)<BR/><BR/>So, obviously, I do agree with you that there is an excessive amount of pessimism, which I do not necessarily subscribe to, but do understand. <BR/><BR/>We are averaging 500,000+ job losses over the last two months. And with that, there are a million families wondering if they will soon be homeless.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15313026985830190914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1300274096976708238.post-8467318119838514302009-02-07T09:37:00.000-08:002009-02-07T09:37:00.000-08:00I wonder if there is an excessive amount of pessim...I wonder if there is an excessive amount of pessimism about the economy and the job loss. Without a doubt the economy is in a very tenuous position but isn't now the time to believe in our inherent ability to overcome, survive, and thrive? <BR/><BR/>Instead of wasting too much time figuring out where blame lies (analysis of past mistakes is necessary to a degree) lets spend time developing solutions for ourselves and perhaps more help the people around us.<BR/><BR/>Now is a time to tighten our belts and push forward believing in our inherent ability to succeed.<BR/><BR/>http://www.weeklypoint.com/2009/02/06/are-job-losses-accelerating/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com