There is an ongoing crisis in Argentina. The nation is in a difficult fiscal and economic situation: “with ballooning inflation, a plunging peso, a poverty rate that has risen from 29% to 35% and an outstanding $57 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund.” There has been speculation that its new leader, President-elect Alberto Fernández, would “scuttle the IMF program” and increase the probability of default on debt. Optimistically, matters can eventually get better without getting substantially worse.
There are, of course, different disciplines that scrutinize such situations in different ways. Matters are both political and economic. Either way, and despite careful attention, one’s own influence or ability to affect change might be trivial.
While maintaining a willingness to consider democracy as a dominant form of government, it may not be what we tend to have. Even if an office holder is a member of the Democratic Party, he or she can simply not respond to constituent correspondence. Yes, depending on the community, there may be an opportunity for involvement in civic meetings. However, overall, there might be a tendency toward leaders who campaign for election and give tertiary status to the longings of their constituents.
The illegal immigration issue is difficult to ignore. There is some controversy involving sanctuary cities. Migrants also can be good people doing the best they can to escape particularly difficult and adverse scenarios.
The point is that, while one may not be able to affect change through his or her representatives, he or she can be cognizant of situations and how they may be beneficial. If you drink coffee [Starbucks (SBUX) has a presence in China, but there is not much of a technological barrier to defend the business there against insurgent competition such as Luckin Coffee (LK)…] you are probably aware of labels such as “Fair Trade” and sustainability. Products such as Chock Full o’Nuts do not appear to adhere to such methods; perhaps explaining the lower price. However, if you pay up for whole beans, they may be sourced from nations such as Honduras or Guatemala that evidently are a source of refugees or economic migrants. The purchase of coffee probably does not make Central Americans rich, or meaningfully improve conditions, but is an act of support toward challenged places.
It would take some research to learn what Argentina’s exports are. Though not an expert on viticulture, the South American nation is known for its grapes. What I am getting around to, anyhow, is that with the decline of the peso (depreciation and devaluation do not mean the same thing) against the dollar, we here in the US have added purchasing power toward Argentina’s exports.
Without much effort, you might find that a tasty wine can be had for cheap. Maybe cheap enough to consume several different bottles of Malbec and form a palette about what variety tastes the best. At the same time, patronization of Argentine exports is a token support to its economy.
Professional economists–presumably macroeconomists, not micro–may view these things as happening in the aggregate, without the input of individual decision makers. This blog evidently has readers all over the world, and supposedly could influence rational persons. Thus, it might be worth your while to peruse wines and observe, if, in fact, Argentine Malbec is at bargain prices. If you buy the wine, presuming exchange rate savings are passed onto the consumer, it could be relatively cheap as well as being a form of support to a nation that is amidst some difficulty.
Incidentally, it is my contention that, because of advances in technology, the supply of agricultural products should continue to be robust. Year after year, we are likely to have bumper harvests of corn, wheat, and soyabeans. Further, the advent of plant-based meats and substitute dairy products should further reduce food scarcity. Chances are the corn on the cob is inexpensive, if you hadn’t noticed, but it is not the result of a political-economic crisis.
Alternatively, you may have a congressperson who responds when contacted. You could write or call and express your feelings about our relations throughout the Americas. If that is not the case, then, rather than campaign against your representative for his or her job, you can keep an eye out for savings on certain imports.
There are, of course, different disciplines that scrutinize such situations in different ways. Matters are both political and economic. Either way, and despite careful attention, one’s own influence or ability to affect change might be trivial.
While maintaining a willingness to consider democracy as a dominant form of government, it may not be what we tend to have. Even if an office holder is a member of the Democratic Party, he or she can simply not respond to constituent correspondence. Yes, depending on the community, there may be an opportunity for involvement in civic meetings. However, overall, there might be a tendency toward leaders who campaign for election and give tertiary status to the longings of their constituents.
The illegal immigration issue is difficult to ignore. There is some controversy involving sanctuary cities. Migrants also can be good people doing the best they can to escape particularly difficult and adverse scenarios.
The point is that, while one may not be able to affect change through his or her representatives, he or she can be cognizant of situations and how they may be beneficial. If you drink coffee [Starbucks (SBUX) has a presence in China, but there is not much of a technological barrier to defend the business there against insurgent competition such as Luckin Coffee (LK)…] you are probably aware of labels such as “Fair Trade” and sustainability. Products such as Chock Full o’Nuts do not appear to adhere to such methods; perhaps explaining the lower price. However, if you pay up for whole beans, they may be sourced from nations such as Honduras or Guatemala that evidently are a source of refugees or economic migrants. The purchase of coffee probably does not make Central Americans rich, or meaningfully improve conditions, but is an act of support toward challenged places.
It would take some research to learn what Argentina’s exports are. Though not an expert on viticulture, the South American nation is known for its grapes. What I am getting around to, anyhow, is that with the decline of the peso (depreciation and devaluation do not mean the same thing) against the dollar, we here in the US have added purchasing power toward Argentina’s exports.
Professional economists–presumably macroeconomists, not micro–may view these things as happening in the aggregate, without the input of individual decision makers. This blog evidently has readers all over the world, and supposedly could influence rational persons. Thus, it might be worth your while to peruse wines and observe, if, in fact, Argentine Malbec is at bargain prices. If you buy the wine, presuming exchange rate savings are passed onto the consumer, it could be relatively cheap as well as being a form of support to a nation that is amidst some difficulty.
Incidentally, it is my contention that, because of advances in technology, the supply of agricultural products should continue to be robust. Year after year, we are likely to have bumper harvests of corn, wheat, and soyabeans. Further, the advent of plant-based meats and substitute dairy products should further reduce food scarcity. Chances are the corn on the cob is inexpensive, if you hadn’t noticed, but it is not the result of a political-economic crisis.
Alternatively, you may have a congressperson who responds when contacted. You could write or call and express your feelings about our relations throughout the Americas. If that is not the case, then, rather than campaign against your representative for his or her job, you can keep an eye out for savings on certain imports.