The Town Crier

One of the key themes of our New American Colonies program is "Welcome to the New World." This refers to a new and emerging economic environment that will be dramatically different from what we experienced in the recent past. Credit will be tighter, governmental regulations more prevalent, businesses more conservative, and many American consumers...the main driving force of our economy...will be focusing on spending less and saving more. In this case...our "New World" is that of the 21st century!

Concerning the "Old –New World," the original Colonists survived, to a large degree, by trial and error. Surviving in the new and rapidly evolving world of the 21st century will also require a good deal of trial and error, as well as a much stronger focus on personal responsibility. Saving more is a responsible action. Conserving resources and recycling are responsible actions. Supporting, through the power of our purchases, our country's manufacturing, small business, and family farm economic bases is a responsible action.

Many early Americans began their journey to the New World with not much more than the clothes upon their back and a dream of opportunity. They endured a grueling and dangerous 6-8 week voyage, then had to learn how to survive in a different climate, with different soils conditions, new dangers, and without the infrastructure of a developed nation.

While the obstacles facing Americans today are of a much different nature, they are nonetheless formidable. The original Colonists, however, were not deterred by challenge and change, and we should not be deterred either. 

Please provide input, ideas, and comments related to this "responsible" theme and, again, "Welcome to the New World." 

"The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself."

Benjamin Franklin