There is alot of talk concerning the falling dollar and the rise of oil prices being a very bad thing for the US, and I am starting to wonder myself if this is true- at first, I thought "hey, this CAN'T be good".
Well, I am in the used motorcycle/customization/building biz- and both of those elements have been VERY good for business- as soon as I type this note, I am done with my e-baying (without e-bay, I would not even have a MC biz
) - I am out to the shop to work on 4 bikes today. In the middle of winter, in Alaska! 
It is getting more and more expensive to order farkes and parts for bikes outside the US, and is starting, or already is, far cheaper to just have the parts made in the US, local to the customer even, than to pay for shipping plus a variety of other things to move things from one country to another.
But that is just my anecdotal evidence- I am in the position to notice that there are LOTS AND LOTS more poeple considering motorcycles as a commuter vehicle more than a "recreational toy"- in other words, not a "lifestyle" toy, but a real need for transportation.
And at 40mpg + in the city- it has become quite economical and practical for many commuters.
So my questions are:
IN a capitalist system like the one in the US- is this overall trend of higher fuel prices and weaker dollar going to be harmful to big business, but very good for small business manufacturing?
Do you think oil prices will fall at all, do you think they will continue to climb?
Do you think this will lead to a resurgence in American manufacturing as well?
Well, I am in the used motorcycle/customization/building biz- and both of those elements have been VERY good for business- as soon as I type this note, I am done with my e-baying (without e-bay, I would not even have a MC biz
) - I am out to the shop to work on 4 bikes today. In the middle of winter, in Alaska! It is getting more and more expensive to order farkes and parts for bikes outside the US, and is starting, or already is, far cheaper to just have the parts made in the US, local to the customer even, than to pay for shipping plus a variety of other things to move things from one country to another.
But that is just my anecdotal evidence- I am in the position to notice that there are LOTS AND LOTS more poeple considering motorcycles as a commuter vehicle more than a "recreational toy"- in other words, not a "lifestyle" toy, but a real need for transportation.
And at 40mpg + in the city- it has become quite economical and practical for many commuters.
So my questions are:
IN a capitalist system like the one in the US- is this overall trend of higher fuel prices and weaker dollar going to be harmful to big business, but very good for small business manufacturing?
Do you think oil prices will fall at all, do you think they will continue to climb?
Do you think this will lead to a resurgence in American manufacturing as well?
In a capitalist system like the one in the US- is this overall trend of higher fuel prices and weaker dollar going to be harmful to big business, but very good for small business manufacturing?
I don't know much about the trends, but I can definitely see how new and re-purposed technology could have this effect. All, as in your motorcycle comments, necessity drives innovation, and if the economy tanks, there a whole lot more necessity to go around.
I do expect a large negative economic shakeup to occur when we conclude our business in Iraq. That's not based on anything stronger than that it happened the last time. However, just as we have committed more heavily this time, I expect it to be worse than the early 90s. I'm not certain whether the current financial issues are smoke, fire, or red herring, but I do believe hard times are coming.
Do you think oil prices will fall at all, do you think they will continue to climb?
The overall trend is pretty clearly up, barring a technological breakthrough or discovery of a new supply. I do believe they are manipulated for political reasons, so a short term drop might be triggered if it is felt that it will aid one party or another.
Do you think this will lead to a resurgence in American manufacturing as well?
Possibly, in the long term. I think the government has, or will, realize that our economy is vulnerable, and will offer incentives that should help some with this.
I don't know much about the trends, but I can definitely see how new and re-purposed technology could have this effect. All, as in your motorcycle comments, necessity drives innovation, and if the economy tanks, there a whole lot more necessity to go around.
I do expect a large negative economic shakeup to occur when we conclude our business in Iraq. That's not based on anything stronger than that it happened the last time. However, just as we have committed more heavily this time, I expect it to be worse than the early 90s. I'm not certain whether the current financial issues are smoke, fire, or red herring, but I do believe hard times are coming.
Do you think oil prices will fall at all, do you think they will continue to climb?
The overall trend is pretty clearly up, barring a technological breakthrough or discovery of a new supply. I do believe they are manipulated for political reasons, so a short term drop might be triggered if it is felt that it will aid one party or another.
Do you think this will lead to a resurgence in American manufacturing as well?
Possibly, in the long term. I think the government has, or will, realize that our economy is vulnerable, and will offer incentives that should help some with this.
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