Re-Booting America: Part II and a Merry Christmas

Even more shocking events have transpired since I first suggested re-booting our country. As the Federal Reserve, Treasury, and White House race to “save” America, corporations of all shapes and sizes have been brought to their knees. So have many families. People around the globe are being hit by economic, political, and societal turmoil.

Most recently, the Bernard Madoff mayhem has destroyed not only individuals, but entire institutions and even charities. The Wall Street Journal told of a retired executive, driving home one evening when the Madoff news hit. He called his wife, asking her to scan the web to determine if the news was true…and then pulled over, put his head in his hands and exhaled. We’ve all experienced similar feelings, but nowhere near the kind of financial suffering many now face. Even those spared from the Madoff fiasco are being hit by other global dislocation.

Having said that, the good news is we have the mental fortitude to withstand pain, to accept the vagaries of life, and to soldier on in the face of this challenge. We will continue this path in the years to come. Fortunately, with change comes opportunity. We are a proud and determined people, with a willful countenance and desire to brush off the mis-steps, mis-deeds, and/or mistakes…and move forward, seeking success.

There are many lessons to be learned from 2008, and many more in the weeks and months ahead. Why fight it? Sometimes the best thing to do is put the head down and move on. When we decide to right the wrongs of our financial ineptitudes, work for what we need and not necessarily what we want, and rebuild relationships purely for the wholesomeness of life and for what is good, we’ll be in a better place.

Be forewarned: the changeover from consumerism to frugality will mean more dislocation, possibly mixed with reluctance, and a herky-jerky path as our economy and society adjust to the new reality. Again, it will take time. Rejoice in that fact as we struggle to get there.

With that, from myself and my colleagues at InvestWithAnEdge, we thank you for finding us on the web. We will continue to provide guidance, humor, and many profitable investment ideas as we roll into 2009. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.