What Will It Cost?

I remember the era (1980’s) in which “scan cashiering” was first introduced in grocery stores.  It did not take long for one to see that a new way of doing business was before us and that the old traditional way of “checking out” would never be the same.  In theory and concept “scanning” at the checkout counter would help to speed things up for customers, reduce the time standing in line, inventory control, ordering of products, control cost and in the long run be a better way of doing business in a changing society.   Since its introduction there have been several adaptions to the “scan cashiering” process, including self-checkout kiosks, various methods of payment, credit cards, coupons, product bar codes and loyalty reward programs. 

Even with such advances in technology or what is known today as a “point of sales” system, some things have not change and that is the “cost.”  Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate having a shorter time in which to “checkout” at most stores, restaurants, convenient stores, airports, malls and certainly at the gas pump.  If fact it is one of the normal perks that one expects while shopping, it faster and convenient.   But even with a more efficient way of conducting our business, the fact still remains that there is still a “price tag” on every item and that is the bottom line.          

Today, in our nation, some things have changed because of advances in technology, research, education, communities, travel, global warming, buildings and health care.  Yes, I agree with you that more needs to be done and should be done in those areas. But what is puzzling to me is that we are short on making advances to reduce infant mortality, incarceration of non-violent offenders, poor community policing, reducing gun violent, expanding diversity in public and private workplaces, hiring US Military Vets, raising the minimum wage for poor families, ending voting restrictions, creating better schools, safer communities, health care for the poor, reducing college debt, women rights, and limit corporate greed and excess.

What is more outrageous and nonsense in my view is the fact or it seems that we have money to build bridges to nowhere, give tax breaks to those who do not need them, invest in personal ventures and spend millions on getting elected for public office.  If we are talking about misplaced priorities and values, then here we are.  Then again, what have we learned, the more we believe we have change the more it remains the same... even with a change in the cast of characters... the results and the cost remain the same... if only we can read the “price tag.”  What do you think?