Everybody (including politicians) is naming different individuals as responsible for our recession.

“I” am responsible for the recession. After World War II and starting in the 1950s, the economy was booming as the need for everything was great. And in the competition for our need, the factories were booming and Main Street businesses were competing for the dollars. In order to compete in the price of the products, factory owners turned to countries such as Japan and China, where labor costs and standard of living were lower, to produce these products.

Companies wanted to create a lower cost in order to compete. And, since “I” wanted to purchase everything, “I” bought at the cheapest price possible. “I” went to larger box stores, who in their purchasing power could sell the product cheaper than main street stores. Main Street became empty buildings.

The owners of the large manufacturing plants made extra profits by moving their plants overseas to Third World countries and by controlling Wall Street. So, when did the recession start? After World War II. Who is to blame? “I (insert your name here)” am.

Bob Laudie

Iowa City