Santa John’s View from the Bridge – March 2022
by Santa John McDaniel

The View from the Bridge is an opinion piece which explores how political, societal, and other changes will impact the future. In these articles, we’ll suggest ways these changes apply to the Graphic-Products industry and small businesses in general.

On the Pandemic Front

Our sources indicate that there are two more variants coming. One we are experiencing now, another later this winter. After that COVID will become endemic and may require an annual shot similar to the annual influenza shot.

On the War

What we are witnessing are the horrors of physical war. Like what you see? Very few do. The Universe is asking, “Is this the future you envision?” Know – this too will pass – Ukraine will prevail – Putin will not survive – Russia will join the democracies of the World.

We The People

Being a boss in corporate America and heading several small businesses, we were frequently required to interview new employees. From our perspective, We The People have forgotten that the president, governor, all those politicians at any level of government work for us.

In short, Mr. / Ms. Politician, on your application for employment include your qualifications, previous experience, and most of all, what is your platform. In other words, what are you going to do for me and other people? Finally, are you an honest person? Can we rely on your word? Above all, don’t sow fear!

We are in charge! Act like it!

Looking Ahead

As we emerge from this pandemic, we are prompted to assess the cultural and economic changes we have all experienced and observed.

Future Trends

We listed several trends we see coming post-COVID: (For previous trends, see past issues.)

1. Working from Home will increase. Fewer people will travel back and forth to an office.
2. Vaccination may become an issue in employment and travel.
3. Entrepreneurship will increase. More people will have the opportunity to become self-employed.
4. A basic minimum income for all will be enacted. Think Social Security for all.
5. Universal healthcare will come. Think Medicare for all.
6. Social Security (basic minimum income) and Medicare for all will stimulate the economy.
   Small businesses won’t have to compete with large companies who provide health insurance. And no one will need to work for starvation wages.
7. Linux and Unix operating systems (Android and Chrome) will come to dominate home computers. Windows and I/OS will become niche operating systems.
8. Having some web-presence will become a business necessity.
9. Some businesses in the Graphic Products industry will become fulfillment centers. They receive orders from the web, produce product in-house, and ship it to the customer. No contact.
10. As we have mentioned before, transportation is going electric. Every major car maker is planning electric vehicles. Who needs gas, oil changes, tune-ups, etc., etc.?
11. Electric generation will become local. You’ll see it in your home, your subdivision, your city, your building, etc. Solar panels and batteries eliminate the need for high-powered transmission lines and transformers, which have contributed to fires in the West.  The landscape will be much nicer once all those ugly power lines are removed for scrap metal.

This Time:

As we have mentioned before, transportation is going electric. Every major car maker is planning electric vehicles. Who needs gas, oil changes, tune-ups, etc., etc.?

If you are planning a vehicle purchase, consider electric. We’ve had the privilege of driving electric vehicles for 3 years. We had to switch back to a diesel vehicle to pull our land-yacht. As soon as we can make the switch back to electric, we will.

For your business, electric vehicles will save operating expenses. They may give you a competitive advantage, until your competitors convert to electric. Choose gas or diesel vehicles and you will continue to share your profits with oil-producing oligarchs.

Creating – Your Future Life, Income Stream, and a Business

First, it’s important to understand some of the rules of Creation. We’ll cover each of these in more depth. This time – #6 – Karma doesn’t care. What goes around, comes around. You can count on that! 

1. Each of us creates our future moment by moment.
2. The past is history, the future is a dream, now is what matters.
3. Life is all about experience.
4. Life is terminal; you’ll never get out of it alive.
5. There are two major forces in the Universe, Love and Fear (False Evidence Appearing Real)
6. Karma doesn’t care. What goes around, comes around. You can count on that!
7. My right to swing my arm, ends where another’s body begins.
8. Like everything else in the Universe, Humans are drawn toward Love.
9. After 78 years on this planet, I know that all the things I’ve experienced in this lifetime have been for my good, even if I didn’t see it at the time. I know that in this Universe, all things work together for the good of ALL.

– This Time

Karma doesn’t care. What goes around, comes around. You can count on that!

Many people think Karma is negative, i.e., “Karma is going to get you for your negative behavior”. The reality is that Karma is simply manifestation. What you focus and act on is what you will bring into YOUR reality.

One example of the negative effect is Putin. He murdered his way to the top and has used murder to stay in power. As a result, he sees everyone around him as a potential murderer out to get him. He has created a paranoid prison that he lives in daily. In his mind everyone is out to get him, and he is probably right. It’s the reality he’s created, that he now lives in.

On the other hand, think of someone you personally know or someone you know of that expresses love toward others. They don’t live in the same paranoid prison as Putin. Your reality is manifested by your actions, that’s Karma.

What is your interest in the Graphic-Products Industry?

In today’s world, most graphic products begin life as computer art. Some artists create and sell computer art for use on the web. Some create and sell physical products using their artwork, think t-shirts, mugs, awards, etc. Others create graphic products as a hobby or to help organizations to which they may belong.

 Answering a couple of questions might help you evaluate your interest.

1. Do I have any interest in creating digital art?
2. Does my interest in digital art include producing hard copies?
3. Is my interest in creating personalized products for Fun or for Profit?
4. What do I do, or does my business do? Are you an Artist or Commercial Artist?
5. If I’m a commercial artist, who are my competitors?

In Short

Thank you for your attention. Keep in mind that we don’t know what we don’t know. So, don’t take our word for it. Meditate and find what is right for you.

As we’ve said before, working from home may become the norm. Commuting to an office, not so much or so often. (Great for reducing air pollution, not so great for oil producers and gas stations.)   

The economic transformations COVID-19 has initiated will last long after the dis-ease is brought into balance (i.e., suppressed). These changes will favor working people and small businesses that work from home.

For 2022 and beyond, we pray for peace.

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, we will know peace.

Thank you, see you next time.