Due to the current state of affairs in the U.S. and world, I have been thinking quite a bit about the economy and what, if anything, will ease my own personal financial strains, as well as the burdens of my family and friends. When questioning economies of different countries, it is important to keep in mind the types of leadership and government, as well as the histories of these countries. I am lucky enough to have a friend who lives in Ontario, Canada. One evening, we briefly discussed the health care crisis in the United States. Having worked a number of years in health care recruitment, this is often my first stopping ground…, He was appalled to learn of the steep costs of health insurance and the astronomical fees associated with health care. What Americans have to go through to see a specialist is incomprehensible, especially to those of us that have actually jumped through the numerous, proverbial hoops. It surprised me to learn of the advantages of the health care system in Canada and the comfort it brings to the people. I wondered, once again, why the United States has not moved toward a unified plan or some other kind of reform. Health care is a government-controlled entity in Canada; in the U.S., there is some government control over health care costs due to the incredible dollar amount Medicare/Medicaid represents and state relief. Unfortunately, that is where the government interference ends. Pharmaceutical companies seem to have more ability to raise and lower costs than the federal and state governments of the United States.

The United States has a strong history of capitalism; however, it is not a pure capitalistic society. If it were, it would be truly a dog-eat-dog country. “Survival of the fittest” would be ever present; the weak and the poor could not and would not continue to exist. Two groups that would suffer most would be the underprivileged and single mothers. Being a single mom myself, I now face the loss of health insurance and confronting an adjustable rate mortgage that may break me.

In this modern era of information technology and accepted advanced thinking, the world may be ready to develop a global economy. The days of super powers and world domination are over as evidenced by the incredible development and growth in the tiny port of Dubai. Countries will begin to see that their very existence is dependent upon their ability to produce and host a happy, thriving working class community; a working class that consists of individuals that excel in their work and have pride in what they produce or service they provide. People need to feel valued and of worth, it is a simple need. As long as there is a synapse left in the human brain, the drive to have that need fulfilled will continue.