As a result of the Gulf oil spill - now approaching day 100 - two Seattle area industries have done very well in response to the event. Boom and skimmers are being produced in the area. Part of it goes back to the Valdez response and having the capability to respond again, even though Washington (state) it is a considerable distance from Louisiana.
Nevertheless, in a major tragedy such as this, when so many lives and livelihoods have been disrupted, it is good to know that free enterprise is alive and well. This often is the case - that Americans rise to the occasion and produce what it necessary to accomodate and renew.
One of the business owners in Washington that is producing the boom was heard to say that he was sorry that he was making money off of someone else tragedy. That is an appropriate response, but we also are fortunate that we have the ingenuity and enterprise to produce solutions. That is the American capitalist spirit. Not that we are taking advantage of an unfortunate situation, but that we have the resources to address the recovery.
Same thing for the Tennessee floods, Oklahoma tornadoes and hail storms, and other occurrences.
Never underestimate the power of free enterprise to find a need and meet it, and let's do all we can to protect it through encouraging our elected representatives to go real easy on regulation and taxation.
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Steve Hoffacker - Consultant, Coach, Author, Blogger, Photographer, Motivator, Teacher, & Strategist - for Realtors, Real Estate Sales Professionals, Home Builders, New Home Salespeople, Entreprenuers, Small Business Owners, and Independent Sales Representatives.
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Steve,
It is so true, every tragedy brings opportunity. After Katrina, it was hard to find builders and contractors in other parts of the country.
Steve, I've noticed that whenever someone's sorry about profiting from someone elses misery, they're never sorry enough to give away their profit :)
Ron and Alexandra,
You're right. Thanks. :)
Steve
Jon,
Funny how that works. :)
Steve
He shouldn't be so sorry... He didn't create the problem, and he isn't making it worse. Not only is he working hard to lessen the effects, but he is providing jobs while he does it.
I say good for him...
See Mr. Bastiat's quote today!