Power to the Consumer!

Sorry about the gap between posting all!

Lately I've been thinking about the consumer. There is a lot of commentary about bubbles these days. The Savings and Loan Bubble, The .com Bubble, and most recently the hosing bubble. Wild fluctuations over several years of expanding and contracting economies. My brain has really been working on the relation with these bubbles, and the consumer. Can a balance exist? Certainly balance can be achieved, but who's responsibility is it to create that balance, and to what extent?

There are those out there that will shout very loudly that the business community in general, and Wall Street specifically, caused this deepening recession. Governments are another choice to create balance. Obviously right now our government is throwing everything, including the kitchen sink, at the economy hoping it will improve. However, let me introduce you to a third choice. This group rises above the other two. The other two choices are ultimately dependent upon this group. Look into the glare of your monitor. The group is you.

Can you comprehend the amazing responsibility you have as a consumer? You, as a part of the consumer collective, decide what products reamain in the market. If you don't like a company, certainly you can sell your interest in that company, maybe even get others to sell too! Government might be more tricky, especially here in the United States. You do have voice and a vote, but not on everything. The United States is a "representative democracy". You get a say in who represents you, but after that the best you can do is remind them who and what they represent. Not to worry though, he/she will be back in a couple years asking for your support again, and you will have the responsibility again.

The consumer vote must remain strong. The strength of that vote is threatened by misuse of personal credit. Personal credit has marginalized many consumers, and will continue to as long as consumers use it irresponsibly. Consumers should work toward a minimizing their personal debt and create responsible habits when using personal credit. Personal credit allows a single consumer to become the equivalent of 3/8 of a vote or less, and barring and misrepresentation, the consumer did it to his/her self.

In this difficult economy it is more important than ever that the consumers recognize their role and responsibility. Every dollar that is spent, or invested, or saved is an affirmative vote. Power to the Consumer!

Matt Kemper
www.YourCreditCompany.com