2020 A YEAR OF DISASTER AND MISFORTUNE – 2021 IS UP TO YOU!
Happy New Year, Everyone! I have been waiting to say those words as I am sick of 2020!
Do you agree with the below quote?
“According to any passable definition of a free society, our country is no longer fit for purpose. To those with eyes to see and ears to hear, this has been clear for some time. The simultaneously heavy-handed and ineffective government response to coronavirus is only the most recent example.”
The above is a comment regarding the United Kingdom. For those who believe the U.S. has done a shameful job, or whatever word you prefer, the U.S., U.K., E.U., Canadian governments have all done about the same (INCOMPETENT) in handling the pandemic. With that said, here are my thoughts on the U.S. performance.
THE FRIGHTENING REALITY OF THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
The pandemic revealed the U.S. governments’ bureaucracy has become fat and moves at the speed of a drugged, mentally deficient sloth. Many irrationally blame the inadequate response to Covid on one man, President Trump, but there was more than enough incompetency to spread through the two million federal employees and over four million contract federal employees, not to mention the MILLIONS of State, County, and Local government employees. All the people who supposedly work for our benefit.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with their 50,000 employees, 100% SCREWED up testing, sending out millions of defective and worthless test kits at the beginning of the pandemic. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with 80,000 employees, was clueless about the pandemic’s nature and the risks it faced. Several state governments, especially New York, issued an appalling number of uncaring and unethical policies, needlessly killing thousands. However, the NY Governor did have time to write a book praising himself.
The U.S. was and is unprepared to manage a severe crisis! The general problem at the federal and state levels, we have dysfunctional bureaucracies that cannot handle day to day issues, much less crisis. Recall the unacceptable Katrina response where some stated George Bush “did not like black people”. George Bush was a small part of the problem, just as Donald Trump was.
WE SPREAD RACIAL TENSIONS AND HATRED WITH EASE AND SPEED IN 2020
We saw numerous protests and riots in our major cities incited whenever a Police officer shot and killed an “unarmed” black/brown suspect.
In Chicago, 2020, ~4,115 people were shot and ~700 killed! ZERO killed by Police Officers. ZERO protests or riots because of these shootings and murders. Why is that? I do not have the answer.
FACT: HISTORIC SIN OF RACISM AND HATRED RESULTED IN A COMPOUNDING NEGATIVE FINANCIAL IMPACT ON BLACKS THAT IS FELT TODAY
On May 31, 1921, hundreds of blacks were murdered during what is today known as The Massacre on Black Wallstreet, Tulsa. https://www.history.com/news/black-wall-street-tulsa-race-massacre
Thousands of houses and businesses burned to the ground. “Greenwood District, with a population of 10,000 at the time, had thrived as the epicenter of African American business and culture, particularly on bustling Greenwood Avenue, commonly known as Black Wall Street.” Their life savings and net-worth burned to the ground instead of being passed on to their children and grandchildren. We are still living with the consequences of these and more sins.
I can find many more horror stories in the black communities similar to the Tulsa Race Massacre. And hundreds of thousands of stories where individuals are discriminated against. “It’s about wealth being stolen from people and that wealth not being able to trickle down through the generations.” This ties into what is going on today. You can still see the difference between predominantly White neighborhoods and Black neighborhoods, as far as education, resources, and money.
My Dad and Uncle served bravely in World War II yet were denied V.A. Home loans simply because of their skin color. However, both men persevered, built, and owned their homes!
ANGER AND HATRED IS A WASTE OF ENERGY!
I have learned the hard way; anger and hatred are a complete waste of time. Besides sharing historic racial atrocities for learning purposes, let’s also share the stories of hard work, perseverance, and success. Share that so very many in times far harsher, far racist, and far more dangerous were able due to their hard work, not to survive but thrive. Let’s learn from those stories and move forward!
CONCLUSION
The New Year is traditionally a time for taking a personal inventory. Asking: What works, and why does it work? My goal in writing these blogs is to help you discover what works! We CANNOT rely on our Federal, State, etc., governments to bail us out financially as too many U.S. governments are heading towards bankruptcy. Let’s take ownership of our present and future. We can increase our financial literacy or continue to fall farther and farther behind those who work harder and smarter.
Good riddance to 2020! One year like this is enough.
APPLICABLE PREVIOUS BLOGS
WE CAN FINALLY SOLVE THE RACIAL EDUCATION, HEALTH AND WEALTH GAPS IN AMERICA WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY
INVESTING IN STOCKS IS COLOR BLIND – WHAT IS STOPPING YOU?
AN ACHIEVABLE SOLUTION TO THE RACIAL EQUALITY GAP
MISSING IN ACTION BLACK FATHERS AND RACIAL INEQUALITIES
FINANCIAL LITERACY IS JUST NOT THAT COMPLICATED – TRUST ME!
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ABOUT ME
I am a proud nerd (as my beautiful wife and daughter have told me) investment and finance blogger with an N.C. State, Chemical Engineering, University Rutgers, MBA and Harvard University, Advanced Management education.
I left a corporate career because I desired to make a difference as a speaker and writer. I was blessed to be coached and mentored by strong women and men in my family and professional life. It is my time to serve and give back.
DISCLAIMER
I started my first business at ~13 years of age (a small but brilliantly created plant nursery). I am a successful investor in stocks, options, real estate, and happy to share my finance and investment lessons learned with you.
However, I am NOT a licensed financial advisor. Please do not construe my suggestions on this blog as recommendations for your situation. For individual financial advice, please seek your licensed CPA or fiduciary financial advisors.
I write this weekly blog to make an impact by reaching an audience and demonstrating the need for financial literacy. I will help you get there.
