How Do You Feel About The Economy?

[righteousdude2]

As I stand in my driveway, I can look down our street, in either direction, and see many homes where people I once knew and communicated with over the last 18 years, are now vacant and up for sale by the bank.

It causes me to pause and feel a tremendous amount of sadness for the families who had their dreams shattered and broken by the real estate down turn.

The same goes for what I see as I drive through this community in which I've lived for nearly 19 years now. Empty homes; foreclosure sales; economic blight as far as I can see.

How many families had their dreams of owning a home on Main Street USA broken and ruined by the corruption on Wall Street, and the banks that asked for, and received bail outs, while the little people had no where to turn but lose their dreams?

I don't know what is happening in your neighborhoods and communities, but here in my area of Southern California, things are not much better than they were a year or more ago.

The papers and broadcast media (spinning as usual) tell us that things are getting better with each passing day, yet, I have not seen the positive manifest itself, at least not now and not here! :tear:

Just today, the local paper devoted the entire first page, and another page, too, to a story on a regional construction boom at a desert project that was building a state-of-the-art solar-energy plant. However, for all the jobs it was providing, what stuck out in my mind was that these jobs will last for less than two years. What good does a 24-month job really going to do other than get politicians through the election season in November 2012, and increase the unemployment ranks in 2014.

We need jobs that will last longer than a year or two. We need jobs with a future... :wavey:

So, here's the question. What's happening in your neck of the woods? Are things actually getting better, or do you see more of the same, with little hope for improvement?

I just thought I'd ask...

 

[SolaSaint]

You know I'm not that aware of the down turn myself, but I think the Gov't is hiding it well. I think the Socialists have quieted the masses with unemployement checks and freebies. Of course all of this free stuff is from our taxes plus IOUs they print in our name as well. Most out of work people are getting checks each week and it's enough to feed them and shelter them even if they lose their homes, and the Gov't keeps extending this. I'm not saying we shouldn't extend this but I do believe if it wasn't for that we would see terrible problems. Sadly I don't see an end in sight especially if Obama gets re-elected. 4 more of this and we all will be in soup lines. I keep hoping God will stir His church.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Sadly I don't see an end in sight especially if Obama gets re-elected.

Which candidate do you think can clean this mess up?

 

[HAMel]

...an evil has blanketed this country like fog over a valley. This type of fog however will not burn away as the sun comes up but rather, will only evaporate away as the Son returns.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

...an evil has blanketed this country like fog over a valley. This type of fog however will not burn away as the sun comes up but rather, will only evaporate away as the Son returns.

Good analogy & I agree:thumbsup:

 

[JesusFan]

As I stand in my driveway, I can look down our street, in either direction, and see many homes where people I once knew and communicated with over the last 18 years, are now vacant and up for sale by the bank.

It causes me to pause and feel a tremendous amount of sadness for the families who had their dreams shattered and broken by the real estate down turn.

The same goes for what I see as I drive through this community in which I've lived for nearly 19 years now. Empty homes; foreclosure sales; economic blight as far as I can see.

How many families had their dreams of owning a home on Main Street USA broken and ruined by the corruption on Wall Street, and the banks that asked for, and received bail outs, while the little people had no where to turn but lose their dreams?

I don't know what is happening in your neighborhoods and communities, but here in my area of Southern California, things are not much better than they were a year or more ago.

The papers and broadcast media (spinning as usual) tell us that things are getting better with each passing day, yet, I have not seen the positive manifest itself, at least not now and not here! :tear:

Just today, the local paper devoted the entire first page, and another page, too, to a story on a regional construction boom at a desert project that was building a state-of-the-art solar-energy plant. However, for all the jobs it was providing, what stuck out in my mind was that these jobs will last for less than two years. What good does a 24-month job really going to do other than get politicians through the election season in November 2012, and increase the unemployment ranks in 2014.

We need jobs that will last longer than a year or two. We need jobs with a future... :wavey:

So, here's the question. What's happening in your neck of the woods? Are things actually getting better, or do you see more of the same, with little hope for improvement?

I just thought I'd ask...

Think that pur economy will be 'stuck" in place until after the Election, and ONLY way to get it rolling again is to get out of Govt trying to take over/providing jobs, and go back to good ole capitalism and private business creating the jobs!

Christian way is to have incentives to workers and companies to invest, grow, keep more monies, NOT to pay the Govt more, and use own funds to grow/create in order to employ and raise all living standards....

 

[righteousdude2]

There is No One Candidate Who Can Fix This!

Which candidate do you think can clean this mess up?

The fixing fo America can't be laid at the footstep of one person or the office of that person. The fix must come from all Americans pitching in and holding their elected officials responsible for working together to fix what years of DC "bickering" has caused.

 

[preachinjesus]

As a whole the economy is doing better than it was this time last year. Where we live has not seen any major impact of the large downturn. Our church completed its fiscal year substantially over budget, do we're thankful for God's provision through the giving of our members.

What I see in the US as a whole is part if a larger trend when you begin to shift to a more skilled economy. Some jobs will be left behind. This creates a certain amount of economic pain. (Trumpeter calls it "creative destruction.") It is necessary, but painful. That's where the Church can step in and help people. We see it as an opportunity.

I think we're gonna be stronger. Maybe the after-effects of the S&L crisis of the 90s will finally go away. I don't know if the President can do much to impact the economy in the short-term, but QE1 & QE2 were failures. We need a completely new leadership nationally in DC and that means across both (immoral) parties. That is obvious. But overall I think things are getting better.

 

[freeatlast]

Most people when speaking of the economy only look within their immediate surroundings. The problem is that no matter what is happening right now, or what happens in the next few months or even a few years the economy is in the pits. We are so far into debt that it is now impossible to correct the problem without totally destroying the nation we now see and know, While things may seem to get better for a time it will only be because we are in the eye of the storm and what is coming will be far worse then what we have already experienced.

 

[gb93433]

This is a good time for those who place their trust in Christ to shine and not complain.

 

[righteousdude2]

You Said, I Have to....

Most people when speaking of the economy only look within their immediate surroundings. The problem is that no matter what is happening right now, or what happens in the next few months or even a few years the economy is in the pits. We are so far into debt that it is now impossible to correct the problem without totally destroying the nation we now see and know, While things may seem to get better for a time it will only be because we are in the eye of the storm and what is coming will be far worse then what we have already experienced.

...agree. There are no wrongs in you views and opinions as stated in this response. AMEN.

Hope you and your family were blessed at Christmastime.

 

[InTheLight]

We are so far into debt that it is now impossible to correct the problem without totally destroying the nation

AMEN.

Wow. Just wow.

 

[billwald]

>As a whole the economy is doing better than it was this time last year.

As a part, the rich are getting richer and the "middle class" is evaporating.

 

[righteousdude2]

It Would Be Chaos....

Wow. Just wow.

....to initiate the proper course of action to repair this economic system.

THE THOUGHTS BELOW ARE JUST THAT: THOUGHTS. PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS AS BEING HOW I VIEW OR SEE THINGS, NOR HOW I BELIEVE. THIS IS MERELY A "BUCKET LIST" OF IDEAS, AND AS YOU WILL SEE NONE OF THEM WOULD SIT WELL WITH A LARGE PORTION OF THIS COUNTRY.

I think in order to right the ship, there will be a large majority of people upset and maybe angry enough to take to the streets and it could turn ugly. For instance...Fixes that Would Anger a Majority of People and Businesses:

1. Forgive (and rewrite) all under water mortgages and reduce the amount owed to the current values of HOMES AND PROPERTY in area of the country and communities the homes are located...I would think this would be a very unfavorable move with a ton of folks, especially the Wall Street/Bankers.

2. Round up and deport ALL the individuals and families here illegally (including any legal by birth children who may be involved). This would have to include any races and nationalities. Build fences and enforce immigration laws with military...hot-button issue. button issue. Too hot to touch or consider!

3. Reduce the wages and salaries of all Americans to reflect the true value of the dollar, and by doing so, reduce the cost to purchase services and goods to reflect the reduction of wages and salaries and home values and loan amount...and what part of society would be angered with this kind of fix?

4. Cease, or at least reduce the amount of "hand-outs" on behalf of the federal and state governments. Require that anyone receiving welfare, unemployment, etc., earn the money they are being paid while on the entitlement programs....again, this would set off a ton of anger in many sectors of society.

5. Bring all jobs, sent out of the country, back to the US. Write laws forbidding outsourcing until we have attained "0" unemployment rates.

6. Tap our own resources (oil for one) and stop importing and exporting (our oil products). This could mean a return to off-shore oil drilling, as well as drilling in Alaska. Disregard environmental groups and demands in favor of developing jobs and becoming solely dependent on our own natural resources.

7. Reduce the size of all government agencies.

8. Make all Congressional seats part time, and reduce pay and benefits to reflect this change. Make the elected official do the work they are elected to do, and reduce the size of their large contingent of staff.

Do not pay politicans and their staff retirement benefits. No longer allow retired government, or private individuals to "double, or triple" dip!

9. Stop the practice of lobbying, political gifts, and legally disallow any "pork" in bills. Debt ceiling must be raised higher than the GNP, or the adjusted cost of living (across the board), or both.

10. ???????????

I know there are probably more suggestions on how to reign in spending and fix the country, but, in doing so, there are going to be a lot of people whose toes will be stepped on (quite hard in many cases); law suits; etc. When you think about ways to fix the nation, try treating it as a "Christmas " list of things you'd like, even if they sound absurd and far out.

When you think about the few things I listed above, it may honestly and realistically take a combination of the above, and even I would view or see these changes as being a form of "socialism!" Also, it is quite possible that any, or all of the above would push a large portion of our citizens to the brink of civil war.

I do not think there are any fixes that wouldn't involve a lot of personal and financial "sacrifice" and I just can't see the people in this nation rolling with the flow that is needed to get us back on track.

Sorry if you disagree with FAL and myself on this, but I do see that the necessary fixes (are too hard) will divide this nation and set off social, economic, political, and intellectual discontent and unrest; tearing this nation apart.

I'd love to hear some other views on how to fix this nation, without setting off a majority of the population?

IMHO - The solution is to keep on printing money, raising the debt limit, and just hope and pray that one day everything will "right" itself! :tear:

 

[carpro]

We are so far into debt that it is now impossible to correct the problem without totally destroying the nation we now see and know, ...

I disagree.

But I do agree that politicians lack the courage to take the necessary steps. As a result, this country is on a downward economic slide that will be halted only temporarily from time to time.

I'm glad, at least I hope, I won't be alive to see it's complete demise.

This much is true, a nation can't spend it's way to prosperity. Nor can it tax it's way to prosperity without changing it's spending habits.

It all begins with spending.

 

[freeatlast]

I disagree.

But I do agree that politicians lack the courage to take the necessary steps. As a result, this country is on a downward economic slide that will be halted only temporarily from time to time.

I'm glad, at least I hope, I won't be alive to see it's complete demise.

This much is true, a nation can't spend it's way to prosperity. Nor can it tax it's way to prosperity without changing it's spending habits.

It all begins with spending.

I hope you are correct and not me, but I see absolutely no way to fix this without destroying what freedoms we have left. I agree that a dictator could fix the problem but not our current political system. Again I would be blessed to be wrong.

 

[InTheLight]

....to initiate the proper course of action to repair this economic system.

So you advocate fascism with a dash of socialism.

 

[billwald]

>1. Forgive (and rewrite) all under water mortgages and reduce the amount owed to the current values of HOMES AND PROPERTY in area of the country and communities the homes are located...I would think this would be a very unfavorable move with a ton of folks, especially the Wall Street/Bankers.

Are you free and clear or do you have a mortgage on your house or property? (Would you profit?)

>2. Round up and deport ALL the individuals and families here illegally (including any legal by birth children who may be involved). This would have to include any races and nationalities. Build fences and enforce immigration laws with military...hot-button issue. button issue. Too hot to touch or consider!

You would violate the Constitution and pass retroactive laws?

>3. Reduce the wages and salaries of all Americans to reflect the true value of the dollar, and by doing so, reduce the cost to purchase services and goods to reflect the reduction of wages and salaries and home values and loan amount...and what part of society would be angered with this kind of fix?

How is true value determined except by free market transactions?

what is your income and how much should it be reduced? It annoys me when someone tells me that my pay should be reduced while keeping their income and expenditures a secret.


>4. Cease, or at least reduce the amount of "hand-outs" on behalf of the federal and state governments. Require that anyone receiving welfare, unemployment, etc., earn the money they are being paid while on the entitlement programs....again, this would set off a ton of anger in many sectors of society.

Say 100,000 black women now have an abortion every year. If they should stop aborting, would you provide day care while they worked for their welfare money? For example, a full time Head Start program would free them up for 6 hours a day. What occupation would you suggest for an 18 year old school drop-out?

>5. Bring all jobs, sent out of the country, back to the US. Write laws forbidding outsourcing until we have attained "0" unemployment rates.

How about a 50% import duty on all imported products?

No country except Russia (?) has ever had a zero unemployment rate.

>6. Tap our own resources (oil for one) and stop importing and exporting (our oil products). This could mean a return to off-shore oil drilling, as well as drilling in Alaska. Disregard environmental groups and demands in favor of developing jobs and becoming solely dependent on our own natural resources.

Then you support new wind and solar installations? You would double our energy costs

>7. Reduce the size of all government agencies.

AGREE as long as we start with military/CIA appropriations.

>8. Make all Congressional seats part time, and reduce pay and benefits to reflect this change. Make the elected official do the work they are elected to do, and reduce the size of their large contingent of staff.

Who would want the job? Maybe we should force people on welfare to run the government.

>Do not pay politicans and their staff retirement benefits.

OK for new hires.

>No longer allow retired government, or private individuals to "double, or triple" dip!

How would you define "double dipping" for private rich people who don't work for hourly wages? Especially for those to sit on each other's boards of directors? Or are your rules only for the working class?

>9. Stop the practice of lobbying, political gifts, and legally disallow any "pork" in bills.

A member of congress would be prevented from voting on any bill which would create jobs in his district?

>Debt ceiling must be raised higher than the GNP, or the adjusted cost of living (across the board), or both.

Say again?

 

[righteousdude2]

Apparently...

So you advocate fascism with a dash of socialism.

...you didn't read this, and I can't understand how you could miss it?

"THE THOUGHTS BELOW ARE JUST THAT: THOUGHTS. PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS AS BEING HOW I VIEW OR SEE THINGS, NOR HOW I BELIEVE.THIS IS MERELY A "BUCKET LIST" OF IDEAS, AND AS YOU WILL SEE NONE OF THEM WOULD SIT WELL WITH A LARGE PORTION OF THIS COUNTRY."


I do not "advocate" anything but freedom as we have it, but, are also on the verge of losing it!!!

 

[righteousdude2]

One More Time...

>1. Forgive (and rewrite) all under water mortgages and reduce the amount owed to the current values of HOMES AND PROPERTY in area of the country and communities the homes are located...I would think this would be a very unfavorable move with a ton of folks, especially the Wall Street/Bankers.

Are you free and clear or do you have a mortgage on your house or property? (Would you profit?)

>2. Round up and deport ALL the individuals and families here illegally (including any legal by birth children who may be involved). This would have to include any races and nationalities. Build fences and enforce immigration laws with military...hot-button issue. button issue. Too hot to touch or consider!

You would violate the Constitution and pass retroactive laws?

>3. Reduce the wages and salaries of all Americans to reflect the true value of the dollar, and by doing so, reduce the cost to purchase services and goods to reflect the reduction of wages and salaries and home values and loan amount...and what part of society would be angered with this kind of fix?

How is true value determined except by free market transactions?

what is your income and how much should it be reduced? It annoys me when someone tells me that my pay should be reduced while keeping their income and expenditures a secret.


>4. Cease, or at least reduce the amount of "hand-outs" on behalf of the federal and state governments. Require that anyone receiving welfare, unemployment, etc., earn the money they are being paid while on the entitlement programs....again, this would set off a ton of anger in many sectors of society.

Say 100,000 black women now have an abortion every year. If they should stop aborting, would you provide day care while they worked for their welfare money? For example, a full time Head Start program would free them up for 6 hours a day. What occupation would you suggest for an 18 year old school drop-out?

>5. Bring all jobs, sent out of the country, back to the US. Write laws forbidding outsourcing until we have attained "0" unemployment rates.

How about a 50% import duty on all imported products?

No country except Russia (?) has ever had a zero unemployment rate.

>6. Tap our own resources (oil for one) and stop importing and exporting (our oil products). This could mean a return to off-shore oil drilling, as well as drilling in Alaska. Disregard environmental groups and demands in favor of developing jobs and becoming solely dependent on our own natural resources.

Then you support new wind and solar installations? You would double our energy costs

>7. Reduce the size of all government agencies.

AGREE as long as we start with military/CIA appropriations.

>8. Make all Congressional seats part time, and reduce pay and benefits to reflect this change. Make the elected official do the work they are elected to do, and reduce the size of their large contingent of staff.

Who would want the job? Maybe we should force people on welfare to run the government.

>Do not pay politicans and their staff retirement benefits.

OK for new hires.

>No longer allow retired government, or private individuals to "double, or triple" dip!

How would you define "double dipping" for private rich people who don't work for hourly wages? Especially for those to sit on each other's boards of directors? Or are your rules only for the working class?

>9. Stop the practice of lobbying, political gifts, and legally disallow any "pork" in bills.

A member of congress would be prevented from voting on any bill which would create jobs in his district?

>Debt ceiling must be raised higher than the GNP, or the adjusted cost of living (across the board), or both.

Say again?

....I did not present these ideas to be questioned, per se, as potential fixes that I knew would bring the kind of questions, separation and disagreement that you have sort of hit on (a little). Thanks for some of your ideas. But, as you see, by your questions and distrust of my motives for some of the ideas, it is not an easy fix?

What I had hoped for, and did not get from you, a "think tank master" was the following: "I'd love to hear some other views on how to fix this nation, without setting off a majority of the population?"

So, say again? Back in your court! What would you see as possible ways to fix this mess?Instead of asking question about my Christmas bucket list, what would be your fantasy bucket list to fix things. Keep in mind, anything you present would set off instant disagreement by at least half of the population.

You will see, what I was trying to show, fixing the country IS NOT EASY! Like FAL was saying...