Paradox of Thrift

Yesterday was the annual Chili Bike. Basically it's what you make of it. For instance some people mix beans with some meat and tomato and call it chili, others may use tomatillo, green chili pepper and pork calling it chili too and then there are those that think chili is only found in a can. Personally I like to use well trimmed sirloin, venison, and hot sausage. Like wise, when offered 37 miles of mountain biking I made 45.

While riding I did some thinking about our economy. No longer should we shame the top executives for buying what they want. They are creating jobs by doing such. For example think of the private jet. These are not items sitting on a shelf waiting to be bought. They are to be produced to the consumers' liking. Production means jobs. Union jobs at the factory to build the plane, jobs in the private sector to design the interior, jobs to support the middle man that negotiates the deal, jobs at the landing strip cafe to serve the pilots that WORK to operate these machines. Look at all the jobs you can create, or sustain if you just let the people with money spend it.

I would like to place blame on others but who am I to judge? Let's take a verse from the book of Matthew "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your eye?" It's true. Kelly and I are into saving as much as possible. We are part of the problem because with our saving we are not contributing to consumption. We are not being consumers and without consumers we can't have capitalism. We need to invest in things through purchasing. Buy more insulation for your attic. That way you can keep the guy at Lowe's employed and help your self by saving money down the road over less energy costs. Already insulated? Great, buy some plants to landscape your yard to keep that grower busy as well as the guy at Lowe's. In the end up your home value by as much as 15%. Even if you don't own a home you can buy yourself a bicycle, save on gas and employ people globally!

The answer is usually so simple it is often overlooked.

Big shout out to our teams' good friend Andy for capturing the moment through more than just a lens.