Reflections...

We have ridden the border of most of the United States, and now a portion of central Canada. The economy seems to be on everyone's mind, and everyone seems more than happy to talk about the poor economy. From what we have seen, there is plenty of evidence that our economy is on the verge of imploding. It was common to ride through cities and towns, and see commercial buildings and homes abandoned. Most factories we saw were closed with empty parking lots. Throughout the northeast, for instance, the only real visible industry still in operation were small lumber mills. Car dealers were closed. Restaurants were closed. Gas stations were closed. We were looking at what once were thriving commercial communities now beginning to decompose. Our government's only "cure" for this national crisis is simply to increase spending, print more money, and increase taxes. The "tax and spend" policy of the Obama administration is blatant, and the administration is more than willing to lie to the people. The fact is that this tax and spend policy will ultimately affect the poor more than the wealthy, even though all will be affected.

We spoke to many people who were directly or indirectly connected to the tourist trade throughout the United States. Everyone we spoke to commented on the collapse of tourism, and the economic effect of this failing industry. No one, not a single person, had a positive word on the subject. In fact, while we were in Niagara Falls, New York, I spoke to a young Black woman at the hotel's front counter. I noticed she was wearing a visor with the word "Obama" printed in white. I pointed to the hat and asked whether she had voted for Obama. She immediately covered the name with both hands, said she did, and apologized. Possibly more notable, however, was her statement that someone had given her "hell" about the hat just the day before.

At this point in time, however, we are lucky. That's right, lucky. While in Canada, seemingly everyone wanted to talk about the lack of jobs and their failing economy. While traveling to Thunder Bay, we stopped at a restaurant for lunch. We spoke to the owner, a very pleasant woman whose brother lives in the United States. She was quick to complain about the Canadian government's decision to increase taxes, how the increased taxes was killing tourism and her business, and how the government had "lied" to the people. Like in the United States, so called temporary taxes became permanent, and only increased over time. In order to finance their "free" health care, Canada just increased the sales tax from 10% to 13% (effective July 1). There are other taxes, so that the cost of Canadian products is now out of reach to many. We had avoided purchasing anything in Canada, since the cost of most products was 25-50% higher than in the US. "Sin" products, such as alcohol, cigars, etc., were at least 50% higher, all to fund the "free" health care. She said she currently is paying over $5,500 in property taxes on her home, set to be increased by another $158 this year. She stated that her home is only appraised at $150,000, about four times the property taxes paid in California. The high taxes did not do anything to help her or other business people. Instead, it dramatically increased the cost of Canadian products, caused the loss of jobs, and prevented an economic environment conducive to economic growth and new jobs. Canada is already suffering from a "tax and spend" environment. Obama is bringing this disaster to us.