Only Luxury Shopping is Up
Summary
Citizens' Advisory Register [future] T-Shirts & Mugs [future] Donations [in progress] Send comments and suggestions |
In Christmas Shopping Down Turn, I pointed out that the financial numbers are misleading economists---that better business numbers aren't translating into a better economy, because the money isn't showing up in consumer's pockets. Now comes an Associated Press article by Anne D'Innocenzio, printed in the Sun, 19 Dec 2004 edition of the S.F. Chronicle. It shows that luxury stores are doing well, but both discount stores and department stores are lagging far, far behind.
Basically, corporate profits are rising while average income falls. The resulting concentration of wealth means that haves are well off, while the have nots are becoming penniless. The inevitable result of this trend is a new feudalism---a Corporate Feudalism. (I have an article in progress on that subject, which I hope to have published shortly---in Europe, of all places.)
About Citizens' Advisory
Corporate money has hijacked the ballot box. The Citizens' Advisory aims to take it back. Our goal is to put people in charge of the political process. The voting-advice system recommended by the Citizens Advisory lets people choose advisors they trust. Done right, that system will enable multi-party coalitions in cyberspace. The system appeals to voters because it's convenient. It appeals to social activists and their organizations because it levels the political playing the field and empowers them with a stronger political voice.