Santa John’s View from the Bridge 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 this publication we’ll suggest ways these changes apply to the Graphic-Products industry and small businesses in general.

SJ’s (Santa John’s) Background

As we mentioned for anyone interested, the opinions expressed here are a result of research, education, training, and testing which began in earnest for SJ in the summer of 1960 and continues to this day.

Future Trends

We listed several trends we see coming post-COVID:

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.

(For past discussions, please see past issues.)

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.?

As many of us now realize, oil and gas production, outside of the USA, is controlled by despotic regimes. Russia, Iran, OPEC, Venezuela, and others all fall into this category. The leadership of these regimes use the power of the money they receive to enhance their personal wealth, suppress their people, and influence World politics. Remember the oil embargo in the 70s which contributed to the demise of President Jimmy Carter, a peace-loving Christian. The chaos of war uses much more oil than peace.

The heads of these countries have little concern for the people of the world or the environment. They’re main concern is power.

All of that said, let’s focus on the future.

For automobiles, to name just a few, GM with their unionized workforce has announced the e-Cadillac coming in 2023. Ford with their unionized workforce is working on the Mustang Mach-E SUV. Volkswagen, another union shop, is bringing their ID.4 online. And of course, there is Tesla a non-union shop who is producing as many model-Ys as possible and increasing prices along the way.

For trucks, again a few, the GMC HUMMER EV, GMC Sierra, GMC Silverado, Ford F-150 Lightning, and of course Tesla’s Cybertruck (vapor ware). Opinion – Tesla’s CEO is playing Monopoly and his main focus is colonizing Mars.

For all of the above, don’t take our word for it, Google it.

Coming soon – towing with a Tesla.

Moving Forward

In the past, we at CorelDRAW Help were focused on creating scripts (step-by-step instructions) you can follow to produce products to sell, primarily using CorelDRAW.

Currently, software, equipment, and blank-product manufacturers have assumed the task of training for finished product production.

Going forward, we will focus our energies on how you can start and grow a business. We’ve had some experience starting and building small businesses as noted in previous articles. Our experience may be of some assistance in your efforts.

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!

(For past discussions, please see past issues.)

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.

(For past discussions, please see past issues.)

This Time

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

Some think that Karma is negative, it’s not. Karma is simply manifestation, the seeds you plant determine the abundant harvest you will receive, nothing more, nothing less.

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.

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.