We ARE the Stimulus Plan

How to simulate the economy seems to be the front and center conversation in the media and in homes across the country.  When AIG isn’t dominating the headlines and people are really thinking about solutions, they think of economic stimulus plans.  Most agree that creating jobs is task #1 and the thinking goes that if more people are working, more people are positive and therefore more people are spending money.  Basically any Government stimulus is simply supposed to spark OUR (the consumer) spending so there is more money in the system and we can return to our times of prosperity.

But wait, taking government stimulus money and repaving roads (like Bev Perdue is doing here in North Carolina) is wasting the taxpayer’s money.  It creates short term jobs but not long term employment and confidence. 

In essence, the government leadership is probably the least qualified to stimulate our economy and create jobs and confidence in the working population.  So who then should take the reigns?

YOU.

You, the American worker.  You the American entrepreneur.  You the American genius.  Why?  Because it’s always been YOU that has stimulated this economy, not government programs! 

How do we do it?  INNOVATE!!  Every age of innovation has created more prosperity than any government stimulus plan since the “New Deal” of the 1930’s.  Think about it.  The last time you were probably feeling flush and having the time of your life was in the 90’s.  The technology boom was in full swing and we were all jumping on the World Wide Web.  The age of the internet has spawned more innovation than we’ve seen in the last 50 years.  So it starts with innovation.  I’m watching Steve Wosniak on Dancing With The Stars and although he’s a really bad dancer, the guy is a certified American Genious.  He created the Apple Computer and launched the company behind your iPod, iPhone and i-everything. 

As innovation spurs new product development, consumers buy and buy and buy.  So I’m advoacting a “new” New Deal based on radical innovation.  In the last 5 years, there has been little innovation.  The IPhone created a stir, Blackberrys get smaller but there has been little to get the consumer inside us all excited and spending money.  More than ever, we need to innovate and create some excitement in our world.

But Phil, I’m a Recruiter – what can I do to innovate?  Anything you can think of.  Remember, part of the New New Deal is that people need to get working.  Let your mind go and takes some chances and risks – these are the building blocks of innovation.  Start that new recruiting business, moonlight helping unemployed people figure out how to get the jobs that are out there – do that one thing that you’ve been thinking of for years but that little voice in your head always says “no one will buy that”.  They will if you take the chance.

This country was built on the risk-taking, innovative backs of the people of the country.  We have to stop looking for help from our Government and take control of our own stimulus options.