We are all guilty for what is happening to this country....some more than others

I was driving to work today and as the road narrowed I was passed by a 5 series BMW followed closely by a Porsche 911 Carrera. Both of these foreign luxury cars were speeding, driving somewhat recklessly & saying to the world...look at me. I started thinking about the problems we face in this country & one of the greatest mistakes our country made was allowing foreign car manufacturers easy access to our markets. The next time you are in a traffic jam & have some time on your hands...look at 20 cars near you & you'll see at least half of these vehicles are foreign! I understand that the Germans, Swedes & Japanese make fine cars but so do the Americans. The real problem is with our society & the arrogance of the wealthy. They feel they have worked hard for their money & should reward themselves with the best toys the world has to offer. The problem with this is they never give thought to where their hard earned money lands. At first glance it would appear to go to their local dealership but in reality is going to a foreign country & improving their bottom line, not the U.S. I am also aware that alot of purchases are by the middle & lower class as well. I don't want to dwell on these classes too much because they believe that the Japanese make the most fuel efficient cars in the world; so it is a money driven decision. Our law makers have ruined other industries as well. Electronics, apparel & liquor come to mind. We have to have the Samsung T.V., the Hugo Boss suit & the Crown Royal(yes I am guilty as well). But if we did any research at all, we would find that RCA makes great tvs, Tom James sells far better suits & Jack Daniels will due just fine. Once again we find ourselves giving away our country so we can live the high life. Buy American or leave should be our slogan & we should follow it when it comes to our major purchases. I understand that I am teetering on the cliff of hypocrisy by starting an import/export company but I'm not talking about art, crafts & widgets...I'm talking about major purchases that effect our economy. These things are housing, cars, appliances & electronics. We could pull ourselves out of this recession & debt cesspool by giving tax breaks to Americans who are loyal to our manufacturers & levy a luxury tax on the people who don't give a shit about anyone but themselves. The Australians have been doing this for years & it works! Pictured is my Yelosub, a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme convertible & it is 100% American baby...just like me. For the record I have never owned a foreign vehicle & never will! Get with it people or sooner or later there won't be anything left of us & the U.S.A.
Cheers,
Rip Pewett proud purchaser of American made products

You never know who you are gonna run into

I was attempting to nap last Saturday when my phone rang. It was my roommate telling me that he was drinking with two Australian travelers at the street festival I was supposed to be attending. Well, I needed no other motivation that pounding numerous cold beer with friends & convicts. I call all Australians convicts, as that is what they are...convicts sent from England in the 1800's. I rolled up on this motley crew & John the taller of the two says" Yeah, he is a big bloke Barry". Well, I quickly start questioning these fellas about where they are from & what brings them to Nashville. North of Melbourne & music are the answers. We hit it off immediately & proceed to make these fine fellas feel at home in Nashville as their countrymen have done for me on my 3 treks through Oz. I love talking with Australians about their country & learning what I might have missed in my travels there. I sometimes having a hard time listening to people on a daily basis as I think I'm more interesting than most Americans(i know it is a flaw & I'm working on it) but I can sit for hours & listen to Aussies talk about there homeland. I've found cold beer adds to the enjoyment of the stories as well. These 2 blokes are here for a month & they are definitely on walkabout(aussie term for just leaving your hometown for a good bit). They had listened to blues in New Orleans, survived Memphis & now where in Nashville to listen to country music. They wandered upon the Ode to Otha street party & were eating catfish for the first time & drinking Yazoo beer as I was listening to their adventures up to this point. Nothing gets my mind revved up like this. I start talking about what they have to import & what they need me to export. Ironically, they told me I could make a fortune shipping old rusted out cars you see in a person's yard but that didn't seem like my thing. I told them about my past OnMeWay treasure hunting & my future adventures back to Australia & on to New Zealand. We exchanged cards & i promised to look them up my next time in country. And off they went to The Station Inn & I went back to dreaming about my visionquest. I met with my a friend of mine who is a potential investor & it went very well. I have no problem asking a friend to buy me a couple beers but asking someone for $250,000 for investment capital takes me a bit out of my comfort zone. I'm sure it will get easier the more times I ask. No matter what it takes, I will be out of the country on my VisionQuest the day after college football season is over! Yes, I realize my priorities are a little off but they are mine. I would also like to say Suck it Kiffen to our former coach as he enjoys the downfall of USC do to probation. The picture is of 2 convicts John & Gary with 2 yags, Barry & Mark.
Cheers,
Rip Pewett future entrepreneur
www.onmeway.com