Bailout the Big 3

Getting off the Vacation Rental subject for a bit, I have been following the troubled "Big 3" automaker fiasco over the past month or so. (Just to go ahead and acknowledge the point, I for one, am for some sort of bail out for these automakers, but on very strict conditions) This whole thing is being so blown up by the media it really is steering many Americans thoughts on the subject down a path that they really don't understand. I am not saying the American people aren't smart or financially sophisticated enough to make an informed decision, but this problem is far more Macro-Economic than I or any average person can comprehend.

I think I saw a quote that the failure of these companies could effect upwards of 3 million jobs in America alone. How accurate that figure is, I don't know, but just the thought of it is unbelievable. Think about it, 3 million people suddenly over the course of 6 months to a year out of work. If you think our economy is bad now, just imagine that.

Now, I certainly think all the CEO's of these companies are absolute clowns, and should be fired on the spot, even it they do get the bail out, but I don't think hating big corporations who get into trouble is justification enough to make an informed economic decision just because "the people don't support it". There needs to be macro and micro financial analysis done and released to Congress (lord knows that don't have the slightest clue) and the rest of the policy makers to make this decision. I think chastising the idiot CEO's on asking for a bailout in the first place is plane nonsense and is just wasting every body's valuable time in a situation such as this.

Like most Americans, I don't care about the CEO's and Executives that got themselves into this mess in the first place, but I do care about the 2.9 Million other workers who will suffer because of the politicians trying to prove a point.

Offroad Outer Banks Adventures

The Outer Banks is one of those places that sometimes just doesn't seem real. There are so many places that I for one, take for granted. I guess because I live here full time and this is now my home, I am sometimes blinded to the sheer natural wonder of my surroundings. Take the 4x4 area, aptly named due to no paved rodes, north of Corolla. I recently saw a Hummer ad in a magazine (Men's Health I think) that featured the new H3 Hummers on the 4x4 beaches of the Outer Banks. You never think where you live would be worthy of a Hummer ad, who brands itself as one of the must rugged, adventurous brands out there, but if you sit back and gage the beauty and uniqueness of the 4x4 area of the Outer Banks, it measures up just fine.

After seeing this ad and taking a couple of day trips to the area, it really got me thinking. Why does it take a Hummer ad to entice me, a local, to notice this beautiful area. Also, why is there not a consistent Vacation Rental brand devoted to the large group that Vacation year after year in this area. Granted there are companies that have serviced the 4x4 area for quite some time and I guess it really wasn't necessary to separate this part of their inventory for marketing purposes. But if me, a local, really doesn't know or appreciate the 4x4 area, how can we expect the general vacationing public to?

Hopefully in the not to distant future you will see a company take the approach and give the 4x4 area the individualized attention it deserves, not only as a travel destination, but as a one of a kind, national landmark.

Who knows, 4x4Vacations could be coming soon.....