How is the economy affecting you?

[CCS]

Are you unemployed? Under employed? Pay cut?

The unemployement rate jumped to 9.7%. I think Obama is deliborately trying to destroy america.

 

[EasyEd]

Ever consider he inherited a poor economy?

Anyway, it has actually had a good affect on me personally. I mean that from the standpoint that I still have my job, haven't had a pay cut, and was able to buy a house and car for very good pricing. Overall, though, it's not very good. Just last week I had to lay off a good friend from work. I swear I would've taken a pay cut to keep him on and even offered to. It's definitely brutal out there.

 

[squeegee]

Not Obama's Fault at all. The process was already started anyways. You guys know that. Here in Canada it is going bad also but I live in the richest province so no difference so far... I work for the military and my gf is working for the goverment for the low cost housing stuff.. So who cares if it go bad? We still going to have a job.. People in general drama about everything..There are jobs out there...still.

 

[Bryan]

Ever consider he inherited a poor economy?

On the very night Obama was elected, I groaned to myself, wondering how long it would take after he took office for the right-wingers to start criticizing him for this hellish economic mess that he inherited.

 

[Old Baldy]

The wife and I are doing ok. We pay for what we can afford and never borrowed more than we were able to pay. Plus we saved alot, (i.e., like many generations before us).

We are the exact opposite of the younger generation who's main goal in life is to borrow far more money than they can ever pay back. (With guys like Barney Frank, maybe that goal isn't too stupid afterall.)

Let's see now Bryan. Obama inherits a piece of sh** economy from Bush then promptly quadruples the deficit. Increases it so much that it is larger than all the the deficits accumulated by ALL presidents combined in our history.

So far, his stimulus package has been absolutely worthless. It appears to have been all about pork rather than jobs. Well, that's what the numbers show so far.

Then he proposes cap and trade regulations. Then he wants a universal health care program passed by AUGUST of THIS YEAR. Then he is now suggesting we have a SECOND stimulus package. (To a capitalist like me, this is LUNACY.)

It's still early but I'm beginning to think Obama has absolutely no clue on economic matters. Well as far as capitalism is concerned.

If you want a totally socialist or communist country, where the government controls everything, Obama is your man.

I don't want to brag because it isn't really bragging that, with my education and experience on my job before I retired, I am light years ahead of Obama when it comes to financial matters in a capitalist system.

On the other hand, he is MASSIVELY more qualified to run a socialist or communist country than I am.

He has to slow way down and allow the economy to catch up before attempting to institute his communist agenda IMHO.

(In fact, he's dumb for not waiting because he is being soundly rejected throughout the country when it comes to cap and trade, and universal health care. His communist agenda will fail because he is being too impatient IMHO. Of course, I'm happy he is being impatient! )

Now, I'll say it again, I think he is a nice man but he believes in communism moreso than capitalism IMHO.

I don't think communists are bad people just misguided. I'm sure they feel the same way about me also. We just have a fundamental difference in how societies can get the most out of their citizenry.

But then we see the Madoff's of the world and I sometimes wonder about capitalism also!!

We need a third party Bryan...the party of the HONEST AND DECENT for pete's sake!!

 

[metropolis]

Portugal is a poor country and one of the EU nations that has suffered the most with this recession. I can't really complain, though. I have a great job (I'm a civil servant and I don't do sh** the whole day) and a good salary, whereas most of my friends are unemployed.

 

[Nashville Hairline]

Been unemployed for 8 months now and dont expect to get a job until 2010.

I don't blame the politicians much, the problem stems from poor regulation of the world's banking systems, which goes back over about 15 years. Too much lending into a property bubble that would burst eventually.

 

[GeminiX]

So far so good here, my company is not giving anyone pay rises this year, but on the other hand I'm picking up a lot of private work which more than offsets it.

I'm clutching my lucky rabit's foot tightly as I type...

 

[The Gardener]

We need a third party Bryan...the party of the HONEST AND DECENT for pete's sake!!

I agree.

I don't view the politics of this situation as being Democrat versus Republican, or Socialist versus Capitalist. I think its more an overall case of grand larceny. All of the labels are just orwellian-speak for the latest "schtick" for entrenched oligarchs to extort more money. Its all about crafting policy NOT to solve problems, but instead to create "deals"... deals for the drug industry, deals for the trial lawyers, deals for the oil companies, deals for the investment banks... etc.

We do need a third party... one with enough moral backbone to break up our little Paraguay on the Potomac that's been festering for a few decades.

On a side note, a local legislator has initiated a California bill that would require drug testing for all state legislators:
http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_12845587?source=rss

I think it would be a BRILLIANT idea to take this to the Federal level, make ALL Federal elected officials, bureaucrats, and even lobbyists submit to a drug testing regime.
I bet there's enough blow in DC to kill off an entire species of whales.

 

[oni]

I think it would be a BRILLIANT idea to take this to the Federal level, make ALL Federal elected officials, bureaucrats, and even lobbyists submit to a drug testing regime.
I bet there's enough blow in DC to kill off an entire species of whales.

Yes, great idea!!!

It seems the only people that get drug tests in the US are sports people and people in lower paid jobs! :whistle:


CEO's / Traders / Bankers / Politicians..............etc

 

[yvakin]

I think it would be a BRILLIANT idea to take this to the Federal level, make ALL Federal elected officials, bureaucrats, and even lobbyists submit to a drug testing regime.
I bet there's enough blow in DC to kill off an entire species of whales.

Yes, great idea!!!

It seems the only people that get drug tests in the US are sports people and people in lower paid jobs! :whistle:


CEO's / Traders / Bankers / Politicians..............etc

:agree:

They should drug test those who's getting unemployment checks and welfare.

 

[oni]

Drug tests for all................................................. Magic beans for every household.

 

[Old Baldy]

http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_12845587?source=rss[/url]

I think it would be a BRILLIANT idea to take this to the Federal level, make ALL Federal elected officials, bureaucrats, and even lobbyists submit to a drug testing regime.
I bet there's enough blow in DC to kill off an entire species of whales.[/quote:2ad7h030]

Can you imagine an honest guy like Harry Truman running for office now. He wouldn't stand a chance. Here's a little snippet describing the sort of man he was:

What happened to Harry Truman after the presidency--very interesting!


Harry Truman, from Missouri , was a different kind of President. He probably made as many important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 42 Presidents. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.


Historians have written that the only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence , Missouri . On top of that, his wife inherited the house from her Mother.


When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.


After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves.. There were no Secret Service agents following them.


When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, 'You don't want me.. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale.'


Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, 'I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise.'


He never owned his own home and as president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food..


Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth.


Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices.


Political offices are now for sale.


Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, 'My choices early in life were either to be a piano player in a wh*** house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference'

 

[socks]

I got laid off several months back and my wife and kids have been surviving on her income alone. It is tough right now and we had to make some adjustments but many other Americans probably have it a lot worse then we do.

 

[patagonia]

Best of luck to all of you guys.


Old Baldy, great article on Truman.

 

[Harie]

The economy hasn't really effected me at all except in a positive way. My wife and I could afford a much, much better vehicle because of the downturn in the economy. In fact, I think we saved roughly $10,000 on the purchase of our SUV because of the poor economy.

At my job - I got a fat raise and a promotion in Feb, plus my pension is still 100% funded. Working for the govt during a boom economy seems like a stupid move...But the stability more than makes up for any minor monetary discrepancy in pay between Federal and civilian jobs.

My wife's job is stable, but the company is on a spending freeze, so she didn't get a raise this year, but that's not a big deal at all considering that she only works part time.

 

[powersam]

I've had to let a few staff go, and have made HUGE cuts in non revenue generating expenditure, but I am still in business and still making a good profit.

 

[patagonia]

powersam, what business are you in ?

 

[oni]

powersam, what business are you in ?

Cottaging........................ :whistle:

 

[patagonia]

recession proof business.