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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
What evidence do you have that we are going into a recession/depression? This country has been in debt to its ears as long as I have been alive, hasn't gotten any better, and we have never really had anything that other countries need/want..Well, maybe rice and medicine!! I realize that we need to do something to get out of debt. I agree with that 100%, but that is not going to put us in a recession. And like I just said, we have had a higher import cost then export for as long as I have lived and I don't really see that changing in the foreseable future.
What puts us into a recssion is money being spent by you, me, society, companies/corporation, and the government. In some cases, people may not have the money, which is understandable because all societies have upper, middle, and lower. In other cases, people freak out and don't buy anything because of the fear of a recession because of these lovely news articles.
I explained it in my last post if you read it. If you and 2 million other Americans feel that we are going through a recession and stop going out to eat, don't buy that TV that you wanted or that new car you wanted, then that will kill the economy. IE, Olive Garden loses customers, then they have to layoff their staff, then those people don't go out to the concert they wanted or don't buy that new CD they wanted, then the person making the CD doesn't get the revenue they were expecting so they don't go on a vacation to Disney World, then Disney World is affected because no one goes there and they layoff half their staff..See how the cycle works and how we can get into a recession?
Companies/Corporations are doing the same thing. They have many openings and needs to fill within the company and they have frozen hiring because of this, which in turn doesn't allow someone who needs a job get a job, or allow someone to get a pay raise that is much needed. It is a vicious cycle.
Let the government figure out how to get out of their debt because they are not helping us out of ours without a penalty of some sort (like flushing your credit down the toilet making it impossible to get a loan).
Now I will say there are some areas that are going through hard times. Parts of California are going through some really rough patches and they are feeling the effect of the high costs of homes and salaries not matching the rise in homes and other costs. I have seen Alabama mentioned on here, but as far as I knew, Alabama has never been a propering/wealthy state in general. But this is common even when the society is doing good.
I don't want to argue with you because you and I both have our opinions on the matter, but this is my perspective and how I see it.
You know who you are :-). And you know me. The short explanation is: the USA has been digging itself deeper into this hole since the 70's. It has simply been living beyond its means. Back to reality, then. Belt-tightening by those who have to will be required, but that doesn't mean months of nothing but rice and beans. Just start sticking to a budget, if you aren't doing so already.
Over the long term the end result will be that the living standards in this country for the average American will decline for a while. For many it will hurt loads -- but they will be able to comfort themselves with the knowledge that they will still be better off than the great majority in the rest of the world. But it has to get worse before it gets better.
And for those who still don't understand how those oh-so-smart Wall Streeters dropped the proverbial straw that broke this camel's back, here's a simple explanation:
http://docs.google.com/TeamPresent?docid=ddp4zq7n_0cdjsr4fn&skipauth=true
We're in a recession now, as today's headline in the NY Times proves: "Bernanke Nods at Possibility of a Recession." I.e., we're in a recession.
If there is another Depression, it's going to hit the average person much harder. Back in 1929 many more Americans lived in rural areas, and more importantly, farmed their land. They were used to much fewer material goods than today's American, and they were far more self-sufficient. They were used to growing their own food, and they new how to cook from scratch. Many more knew how to sew, and thus could fix clothes which were old or ripped. Their homes were simpler, and they could do many of their own repairs. Hell, they even were better at first aid and tending to common illnesses.
Compare that to the average American today who relies on McDonalds for food, Wal-Mart for new clothing when the old wears out, and is lucky if he or she can change a lightbulb, much less change an outlet.
If the machine breaks down, a lot of people will find themselves needing to fend for their basic needs in ways for which they are completely unprepared.
Stock up on dried grains and dried beans, and toilet paper. Don't forget the toilet paper.
...it helped my great-uncles find meaningful work when the local W. Va economy/coal industry went bust and the mostly-white businesses wouldn't hire black folks anyway. It also enabled them to learn skills enough to leave the area and pursue other, more lucrative career paths.
"I honor those single moms working two jobs…why don’t we pay her more in welfare and less to the crack whores that spit out babies just to get more food stamps. You speak of morality, but that is what is void in today’s society. If you are really looking for a way to “fix” our economy…try praying to the God that our founding fathers prayed to.
-- bobisfat "
I'm not impressed by bob's so-called respect. After he managed to eliminate "crack whores that spit out babies just to get more food stamps" (I tried to stop at "crack whores", but the whole phrase persisted) I'm fairly certain that the likes of him would be coming after me next.
I haven't yet read all letters (12 pages, dude!) but I really felt that those two sentences should be held up for more ridicule.
Because, apparently, (I'm on topic) bob's "fix", after slut-shaming proves inadequate... is to pray for a solution.
Andrew, could you possibly switch names to the top of letters? Just to save certain over-worked eyes from the blatant waste of time?
Much of the initial coverage about Fort Hood turned out to be wrong. Is there anything wrong with that?
The accountability imposed by another country for the CIA's kidnapping and torture reveals much about our own.
Fox News' morning show plays to type, talking about whether Muslims in the Army should face "special debriefings"
The survivor and author is upset about comparisons some on the right are making to genocide
Once seen as a lunatic fringe, reactionary anti-women groups are courting respectability
Salon headlines in your mailbox
