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Wednesday, April 2, 2008 12:00 AM

The Great Depression: The sequel

Is it coming to a soup kitchen near you? Here's how we'll know if the current recession is turning into something much worse.

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  • Tuesday, April 1, 2008 11:11 PM

    g-r-e-e-d

    +1@traderjoy

    I never get why people just assume that its the rich peoples fault. I agree that the difference in income is too wide, that they do too little to help their fellow man, and that minimum wage needs to be increased more consistently, but ive just never understood the poor.

    Until last year my FAMILY'S adjusted gross income was between 11,000 - 14,000 a year (only for 3 years, im young). So dont tell me that i dont know about being poor. I have a family of 4 (including me). I have NEVER had food stamps, NEVER received unemployment, and have received no other form of help from the government other than tax returns and FAFSA. Some people do need those things but i bet its more around 50% of the people that do receive them.

    traderjoy is right. when i was working at 7-11 i cant tell you how many people came in and bought food (mostly junk food really) with food stamps and then got into a car or truck that was nicer than one my parents drive...and they make $200,000(and no they didnt help me when i was poor).

    The problem, at least on a personal level, is most definately credit card debt and just plain fiscal foolishness. People have no self control and are so damn impatient that they spend themselves into holes. I guess you could say that im poor still (30,000 last year) but all the nice things that i have i saved for over months and months just like in old times. I have ZERO credit cards and drive a 12 year old car with 200,000 miles.

    there are plenty of things we could change in washington to help, but truthfully i dont think either party will solve our problems. Im a conservative, and i think that the Bush tax cuts are great. You cant deny that the tax cuts have brought unprecedented revenue to the govenment. But.. yes i said but... I will agree that bush has squandered all that and more on the war. But on the flip side If the democrats get into office they MIGHT stop the war, but they will increase taxes effectively reducing revenue and then spend probably 75% of what we are now which will put us in the same boat.

    I could go on for a long time about all of this but it really doesnt make a difference. The problem with conservatism is that no one wants to be responsible for themselves and their actions anymore, and the problem with liberalism is that they want to be the overprotective parent and shelter you from all the harms they possibly can and then leave you a scarred sheltered person who depends on mommy for everything.

    anyways my post was way longer than i thought need to wake early so if you desperately need to rebuke me or tell me off (or agree with me secretly where no one can see) email me at

    salon00@yahoo.com its my first time here and i dont know if ill check the site again.

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