What makes for a return of investment?

I have not written for several days because it has been a challenge to sort out topics from the massive amount of economic rhetoric we are hearing at this time of year.  The Stock Market followers are confused about the meaning of the market activity because anticipated ups are downs, and the impact of bonds in relationship to stocks is not responding in any past patterns.  So there are lots of comments about volatility, being patient and being diversified.  All these are terms for be cautious, wait and see, and do not think that you can make your millions overnight in trading.

Yesterday President Obama talked about creating an economy from the middle class out.  Most people don't know what this means from a technical standpoint, but I would like to think that what he is challenging us to consider is that in the long term, we must meet the needs of the masses of people, not the "bosses" or the 1%.

We are an impatient people who have not believed in long-term investment.  We have wanted quick returns of investment.  And this has been able to happen in the past when our economy here in the US was more isolated.  But as we are more and more connected to the global economy, the need to think differently, more broadly, and with eyes on the everyday needs and not fantasies of fairy tale wealth becomes essential.

Earth is a container of resources all of which are essential in some way for life of the planet.  As human beings we have seen ourselves as in charge of these resources. But we have created such imbalance, that we no longer can manage the resources for our own needs, let alone the needs of the planet.  We need to stop, listen and learn about the connections to life systems, global systems and resource systems.  Can we make choices within these systems which create long term positive effect that protects resources for all, that reverses the pollution of water, air, soil?  Are we patient enough to slow down our consumption so that we can reduce the burden on resources while we change our way of caring for these resources?

What changes do I need to make in my daily life as my part in caring for our planet resources?   What changes to each of us need to consider?  I live in the Northwest where people are concerned about recycling, and pollution reduction.  In the Northwest energy  and water conservation are in many conversations and choices.  Yet, in the downturn of the economy, it seems like choices which in the near term cost money are being eliminated or postponed, when we need to consider whether even in a slow economy we can look at long term investment in a larger picture than just return of dollars.  Can we count the improvement in air quality as we reduce particle emissions in terms of increased health of people and reduced health costs?  We need to learn to count our investment returns via the connections and impacts over the long term.  This may be our greatest US economic challenge.