{"id":5124,"date":"2011-11-27T08:56:13","date_gmt":"2011-11-27T13:56:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/inbox\/?p=5124"},"modified":"2011-11-28T11:10:06","modified_gmt":"2011-11-28T16:10:06","slug":"sunday-opinion-shop-locally-in-a-slightly-better-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/inbox\/2011\/11\/27\/sunday-opinion-shop-locally-in-a-slightly-better-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Opinion: Shop locally, in a slightly better economy\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Happy Thanksgiving weekend edition of Sunday Opinion.\u00a0 Today, as you might expect, it’s mostly about the shopping.<\/p>\n

The Plattsburgh Press-Republican<\/a> used its weekend opinion space to urge shoppers to find local businesses during this holiday buying season:<\/p>\n

The money you spend at Wal-Mart provides sales-tax income for your county. But the profit goes to the Arkansas-based retailer. The money you spend in a locally owned store or restaurant also provides sales-tax income. But, in addition, it boosts the financial stability of local businesses and provides income that the owners can spend here, prompting a multiplier effect.<\/p>\n

You can also find something the box stores can’t offer: a unique gift. Many area retailers offer locally made or specialty items that you won’t find elsewhere.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That view is shared by the Adirondack Daily Enterprise<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Surprisingly you might find better prices. Not surprisingly, you might find better personal service and quality, and shorter lines.<\/p>\n

It is a good time to browse the recent opening of the Saranac Lake Community Store that is owned by people in our area. The Saranac Lake Artists’ Guild is also encouraging shoppers to visit its gallery to see what local artists have created.<\/p>\n

It is a totally positive, interactive shopping experience.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Watertown Daily Times suggests that there may be more glimmers of hope in the American economy, with some analysts predicting that unemployment nationally will decline to 8.9%:<\/p>\n

The employment picture may be brightening: new figures show that last month\u2019s slow gains are continuing in the early part of November.<\/p>\n

The number of people filing for initial jobless claims fell by 5,000 the week before last to 388,000 \u2014 the third straight week of declines in that category, according to the U.S. Labor Department.<\/p>\n

The report does not indicate employers are hiring, but shows that layoffs are slowing, the Wall Street Journal noted.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Glens Falls Post Star<\/a> questions our society’s use of “community service” as a punishment, suggesting that we might be sullying the notion of real altruism by young people.<\/p>\n

The use of community service in criminal sentencing, particularly for young offenders, might be a mistake, since it links constructive acts of charity and helpfulness with destructive ones of criminality.<\/p>\n

Now, when we see a teenager washing windows at the YMCA or raking leaves in City Park, we might wonder what misbehavior he was caught committing rather than feeling impressed with his initiative and community spirit.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There you go.\u00a0 As always, comments welcome.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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