Chapter 2 q. 1

• Do the issues affect your life? Directly or indirectly? On a daily basis, or more generally? Now or in the future?

Absolutely. For this article you cannot argue that the issues affect all of our lives. Because people act in their rational self-interest we are forced to study economics. If every country decided to turn to communism, this problem wouldn't exist. It relies on the peoples choices, causing everyone to question how people are going to spend their money and how it will ultimately affect the economy. It's scary to think that people have so much power over money, and how much it impacts the world on a daily basis. Everyday businesses struggle to maintain their set goal of customers. Stats are super important when determining rational self interest because they tell us what people are most likely going to do with their money. I hate how powerful money is and how it can cause corruption in even the dearest people, but it has to be recognized that not many people seek to benefit others in this day and age. I am sad to admit that money and self-interest are extremely powerful in determining how successful we are as a country. It is ultimately up to our generation to be educated about the economy and how destructive it can be. I don't think that many adults these days know how to benefit the economy, including people in high political decisions. It's a real bummer that people are left on the streets and that people who are well off do nothing about it. But, on the other hand, how is it that homeless people are penny-less? In many cases it is because of addiction to certain things, for example, tobacco and alcohol. These two substances are highly addictive and can cause people to over-look the responsibility in ownership of currency, causing money to indirectly fall out of their pockets. It is a vicious cycle between free will and responsibility, and I am so grateful that I know the difference.