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Notes from a Garage

With John Gardiner

The world economic crash…..and seeing John Mayall…..

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

I’m watching the world money markets with a kind of mild amusement. Crash, crash, crash….that’s the sound of people losing lots of money….lots of money. And everybody seems surprised – everybody but me. I’m not surprised at all. I could sort of see this coming. Yup. Western economies, certainly in North America, have exported so many good paying jobs over the Asia that it really shouldn’t come as any surprise that we’re in deep trouble. We had that bad crash in 2008 and everyone’s been waiting for the American economy to recover, but it just ain’t happening. You know, in my mind what we’re seeing is classic capitalist economics. Money is sort of like water – it always flows to the lowest point. The cost to produce consumer goods is so low in Asia that that’s where the money has been going. Our standard of living in the West is going down, down, down, while the standard of living in other parts of the world is going up, up, up. And there’s no real way to stop it that I can see. The only way to really get the American economy to recover would be to erect huge tariff walls around North America and to start manufacturing our own stuff again. And that’s not going to happen any time soon. The powers-that-be on the planet – the folks who are in control – make huge gobs more money in a global economy. They’re the ones who are benefitting from the production of cheap consumer goods. The ordinary plebes – folks like us – think we’re benefitting because we’re awash in cheap consumer goods, but the reality is that we’ve sold ourselves down the river and watched as our jobs have gone overseas. I’ll wait until I see what the economists in the world have to say because I’m no economist. It just seems like it’s not rocket science….you export that many good paying jobs and something has to give. In this case, it’s been our standard of living that’s been giving. And it’s been sliding downward for the last 20 years. And there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight…..

Was off up the road this past weekend to attend the Kitchener Bluesfest, something we’ve been doing for the last few years. My main purpose in going this year was to see legendary British bluesman John Mayall. I cut my teeth playing John Mayall songs back in the 1960’s and Mayall’s band, the Bluesbreakers, was a launching pad for many great musical careers, including Eric Clapton. Kitchener Bluesfest is a highly unique event because it’s basically a free festival. There are three main stages and all of the entertainment provided is free – you just walk from stage to stage and grab a chair and enjoy the music. And, my, how this festival has grown over the last few years as the word has spread. Indeed, it may become a victim of its own success as the size of the crowds grow. This year, for the first time, it was actually difficult to find a good spot to see most of the acts as the venues filled to overflowing. Still, it’s what can be accomplished with a great group of volunteers and a whole lot of corporate sponsorship – which is what Kitchener Bluesfest has going for it. My wife and I had a great time and really enjoyed it. We spent most of the day on Saturday and Sunday there and we were pretty well “bluesed-out” by the time it was over. Heard some great music, saw lots of old friends and just really had a good time. And getting to see John Mayall was a huge thrill. He’s the master and it was great! Still, I’m beginning to think that large outdoor festivals are for the young…..hot, hot, hot, tired, tired, tired….lots of walking, lots of waiting…..this old guy had trouble keeping up….Still, I enjoyed it and am looking forward to next year.

It’s been a great summer so far in Chatham-Kent. I’ve been out at most of your big events, including this past weekend’s Optifest and Old Autos Car Show in Bothwell….There are a lot of great events in Chatham-Kent. WAMBO this weekend…..get out there and check it out…..

Out of time for another week and hoping your summer is going well. We’re reaping the bounty of our garden these days and that’s pretty great. Take care and remember…..”Hew to the line; let the chips fall where they may.”



John Gardiner is a 25-year-veteran of the community newspaper business, but he is also a prolific writer of moralistic short fiction he refers to as "emotional thoughtscapes" or "adult fables". Samples of his fiction can be found at:

He has also produced a noteworthy piece of humanist philosophy which can be found at: http://www.xs4all.nl/~aboiten/ad502.htm He welcomes comments on his work.