The Dead Company Club

YIKES. This was the prescient license plate of a former investment broker who can’t afford the car anymore. It’s my G-rated exclamation when I read about the growing stacks of worthless stock certificates, old employee IDs and the latest additions to the club.

American pastimes closed indefinitely

Closings have gone way beyond what you read in the headlines. Our pastimes and culture- loosely defined – are getting hammered. Across the country bookstores, opera houses, gyms, race tracks, daycare centers, even museums are getting whacked. Gone. It’s a true Catch-22. These businesses exist on discretionary income. But if your company closes, you don’t have discretionary income which causes these companies to close.

“Discretionary” redefined

And what the hell is happening to state and local government jobs? Schools are closing. DMV offices – yes, the quick service centers in New York – are closed. Prisons! Freakin’ prisons! And how about this one: Virginia closed 18 highway rest areas in the midst of summer travel. Only 19 are still open. The average distance between rest stops now: 120 miles.  The new state motto ought to be “Virginia is for lovers (and people with strong bladders, parents be strongly advised.)” Are these really discretionary services?

Get a GPS

If you’re thinking “Oh, I’ll just stop at the next exit,” let me share some experience. The facilities at fast food stops and convenience stores aren’t designed for summer travel volume. You’ll need a GPS to find your way to the nearest library or state park to use their services – if they haven’t cut back their hours. At least Garmin, the GPS leader, will still thrive. Ironic that their stuff is manufactured in Taiwan. Now that’s a pisser.

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