How many times will this simple observation be a revelation? Uttered humbly and powerfully in 1971 by one of the most influential leaders of our time—the cartoon strip character Pogo—this statement has never been truer than it is today. If you are angry about the capital markets mess we find ourselves in, you need travel no farther than your own bathroom mirror to pick a bone with the protagonist.
Living legends aren’t easy to come by. Actually shaking one’s hand is a very special experience. Seeing the noble and flawed human who represents the legend is really encouraging. The imperfections allow one to accept the truth of the person’s accomplishments.
A few years ago, I began to get excited about the return of manufacturing to the U.S. and now it’s happening. Mind you, I don’t expect it to regain the prominent position in our economy that it had prior to the 1970’s. In those days, the U.S. manufacturing industries led the world. Prior to 1973, we were a net exporter to the rest of the world in manufactured goods, oil, grains and investment capital. We were a net attractor of the world’s intellectual talent. Some of these trends took longer to reverse, but manufacturing changed early on.
The little pastel spoons dip into the gelato. Curly Top asks her boyfriend, “Is our city better today than it was four years ago?”
He ponders a few moments. “I don’t think I know about the city as a whole. My life in particular has gotten better, and the impact of ‘the city’ on me personally seems minimal.”
Curly Top pressed further. “Well, have you noticed more crime in your neighborhood, or less? Does your car hit more potholes along the same routes, or less? Are you paying more in city taxes while parks go into disrepair and libraries shut down? Do you think we even need parks and libraries?”
