[quote]on edge wrote:
Do you guys want to live life clipping coupons and living in your parents basement? The key to building wealth is to make more money.[/quote]
I agree even though I can’t talk, I have no wealth, but I’m damn good at producing more than I consume. However comparing the logic and replacing it with muscles this is what I see.
Key to muscle growth,
Energy expenditure < energy consumed = muscle growth.
So everybody seems to be saying train less so the energy you consume is more than what you use. Rather than saying consume more energy.
There is more to it than “produce more than you consume”.
Because from that, you can either
PRODUCE MORE
or
CONSUME LESS
To change the ratio.
And you can produce more by being more efficient / technologically advanced.
Obviously the ratio is the most important thing, but what has driven USA is the push for increased production (and hence consumption, which has gotten out of hand).
The real thrust of capitalism is to use capital (money, equipment) to increase efficiency of production.
The screw up of consumerism is some bonehead decided to increase demand and mess with people’s heads to get them to want more … what you really want to do to make a country great is to make people want to PRODUCE more, more efficiently, more effectively, not to consume more. You know, the Protestant Work Ethic that USA had once, and still does I’d say.
This work ethic is what politicians are trying to slimeball associate with when they start talking about Joe the Plumber.
What is really needed is an advertising campaign that drums it into kids’ heads that you should be proud of what you produce, the work you do, NOT the things you consume / buy. What you do, not what you have.
Also don’t get caught in the “consume less” trap, it has got to be a combination of produce more, be proud about your work/production efforts not your consumption, hence consume wisely and enjoy what you have … otherwise you get caught in a limited mentality which isn’t helpful.