How many American's have reached a state of economic hoplessness?

Whatever party you are from, wheteher you are rich or poor, employed or unemployed I ask you to question yourself regarding our economy.

If you are poor:

Do you see any way out in the near or long term? Have you given up trying? Has anybody given you a reason or motivation to keep trying?

If you are rich:

Do you think you'll be able to hold on to your money the way things are going? Do you believe your money will continue to have value? Are you just waiting for it to dissapear or no longer matter?


If you are a Democrat:

Do you honestly believe your leaders can fix the economy?


If you are a Republican:

Do you honestly believe your leaders can fix the economy?


If you are unemployed:

Are you still looking? Will you have to take a job where you are still poor?

If you are employed:

Do you feel safe? Are you still spending the same amount?

Does anybody see a serious "out" to this? Or are we just trying to convince ourselves that we can recover? Otherwise, what's the other option?

I'm not rich or poor, probably qualify as upper middle class.

I'm not a republican or dem.

"If you are employed:

Do you feel safe? Are you still spending the same amount?

Does anybody see a serious "out" to this? Or are we just trying to convince ourselves that we can recover? Otherwise, what's the other option? "

I'm employed and feel safe, I spend close to the same.

We are convincing ourselves of one thing or another as money only has value that we give it.

[edit on 12-8-2010 by whoshotJR]

[edit on 12-8-2010 by whoshotJR]

Well, I have to admit, that I am as poor as they come.

I have not had an income for about 2 years, as far as the government knows.

The family is the source of my life. Period.

The government, as soon as I take that handout, I am a slave, I WILL NOT give them the satisfaction.

God bless the family and community!

reply to post by Tyrannyispeace


Thank you, you are a true American. Don't go down without your moralism and ideals.

reply to post by dreamwalker74


theres always hope the minute you give that up-they win.

the real american spirit is
never giving in
never get on your knees
never surrender

victory belongs to those who fight the hardest
fights the longest
believes in the justness of their cause the most
to those who never gives in to the chaos,confusion,fear


for i am an american
you are an american

and for hundreds of years WE AMERICANS
have overcome so many things that have been thrown at us

WE americans have always prevailed

SO WHY DO WE PREVAIL because we have good men
who have never NEVER TAKEN any crap laying down...........


we have been given such an amazing birthright

its HIGH TIME we americans start earning it:p



yeah EARN its a foreign concept these days



[edit on 12-8-2010 by neo96]

reply to post by neo96


The problem is. I don't even know who to fight anymore. It seems we are being set up by everybody.

reply to post by neo96


I don't know who "they" are anymore, do you?

reply to post by dreamwalker74


in my opinion we americans most iminent threat is our current government

they clearly represent a clear and present danger to WE the people.

reply to post by neo96


So no part of government should be trusted? What about community groups, or religions? What about any organized group period? That's who I fear.

reply to post by dreamwalker74


trust noone
fear noone

DO NOT GIVE ANYONE power over you


make them trust you
make them fear you


".......when you fear the government there is tyranny............when the government fears you there is liberty.............."



im sure youve heard that..........



[edit on 12-8-2010 by neo96]

I've worked hard all my life, got into my house the old fashioned way, a down payment and the building of credit beforehand. Didn't really buy it as an investment other than I wanted a place that was paid for at some point.

Now, due to the easy credit that was issued, my 401k has been decimated, my house is declining in value and my job is in jeopardy.

Almost daily, I read headline stories about the exhorbitant wages and bonuses of the criminal banking cartel (knowing they probably pay less in taxes than I do because of the way taxes are assessed in this country). And I read the stories about some of the workout plans proposed for underwater homeowners that got 125% (no down) loans while they live in their houses sometimes years while the banks hide the loss, collecting unemployment, getting food stamps and free or subsidized healthcare.

Then I look at my future with income tax increases, SS tax increases (something I have never expected to receive benefit from), SIGNIFICANT medicare tax increases, property tax increases, sales tax increases and potentially a VAT and I wonder... what's the point? By the time the governments, bankers and insurance/healthcare industries get done with the fruits of my labor will the crumbs I have left to show for my years of service have been reasonable compensation?

Makes me want to give up and get on the dole while there's something left to get and get myself some quality time (instead of working 40+) before TSHTF.

how's this for hopeless?



or how about this?

US Debt Clock

Get the picture, America?

If your weren't peeing your pants already, now we're beginning debt monetization.

There's hope, and then there's reality.

I have a few dollars... so I'm technically not 100% broke. Not sure if it will end any time soon.

I am poor! I have always been poor, the most I have ever made in one year is $25,000, which means I might have cleared 18, and that may be what I spent entirely that year too! LOL I cannot even remember when that was.

I don't work, traditionally, in as I do not get paid for what I do; I have not had any income for two years now.

I don't own anything. I don't own a vehicle, I don't own a house; I don't have credit cards and I don't even have a bank account. If someone wrote me a check their bank better be close by otherwise I would have to turn it down.

Right now I am being threatened with eviction because I was walking my dog along the backside of my neighbors property and he went to my landlady to complain. He threatened to force her to move a concrete irrigation ditch which sits on his property (her ditch, his property). She is Elderly and just lost her husband so had no choice but to put me on "Notice". How fun! I don't think he likes me.

I grow my own food and I am quite frugal but water is my real kick in the pants. My average water bill runs above $100 a month. I guess I could run buckets from the Rio Grande River, although they say fecal matter floats by during certain times of the year?? Not sure why.

I am told that some people do not have it so good (folks that know me), so I guess who am I to complain, but I am not complaining they are! LOL

Would you believe me if I said I never get a day off, never had a vacation in over 10 years. I cannot sleep in and I cannot call in sick! If I am sick nothing gets done here.

I do not collect unemployment, but I did take advantage of some free schooling that the Bush Administration offered when my company moved to the Philippines and I became a "Displaced Worker" in 2004. I picked up an Associates Degree (my first) and kept a 4.0 GPA! I was quite proud of that, and I worked really hard for it. So this degree cost someone something, I never saw the full bill. Thanks Guys! I refused to take out loans and paid for all the costs above what the Government would give me so I am sure my part was a few thousand or so, this is after FASA and the Bush amount.

I am neither Democrat or Republican. I am not registered to Vote. I have never voted except once and that was for Daddy Bush's election, it was only the presidential election and I can't even remember who or why I attempted it. OH NO, was it Perot? Good Lord Shoot me!

I do not carry insurance. Nothing! I will not be paying for it either!

I am not allowed to give blood because I was in the UK during the late 80's and I may have been exposed to Mad Cow Disease, or so they say.

I do not pay taxes, I don't even bother to file. (I guess they feed you if they come get you LOL)

I am just a Househusband, so I get to use a card that can buy what groceries I need above what I grow and what bills have to take care of, there are no luxuries for me other than a roof over my head and I adore coffee. I don't drink and I don't smoke unless I grow it myself. I do use toilet paper, but I don't use paper napkins instead I use cloth. I do have nice things, I find them mostly, but my partner does have good taste in furniture and he got me two very expensive dogs. I adore them and him.

I cook every meal, breakfast, lunch, and dinner; every single day. I am a fabulous cook. I am currently enjoying the weeds. The peach trees are loaded and ripened now and I have to get a ton of canning done really soon.

My clothing comes from thrift stores. On Wednesdays I get shirts for 50 cents, and pants for one dollar. I have not had a haircut in over three years, and that was once in the past five years. I allow myself a new pair of shoes when the old ones fall off.

I think I would like to own a Yurt or a Teepee one day! Then a goat to draw a cart! LOL, best get a girl goat so I can get some milk too.

I am seriously on board with TEOTWAWKI, but then again someone will have to remind me how good I have it as they always do! LOL

reply to post by Greensage


You have know idea how proud I am of you. You say you grow all your own food? I would be very interested in hearing about that. Yes you have it better than many. No not the homeless who have no roof. I speak of those who have far more money. Live in giant houses. Have so many responsibilities, they have to take perscripion drugs to stay sane. You are free. I envy you.

Was unemployed for nearly ALL of 2008...until I found my current job.

I have a Bachelor's in History & Political Science, and after being here since Feb of 2009 I've yet to recieve a raise and don't even make $20K/yr.

I often wonder though, if this isn't more a product of my being a white blonde woman living in the South than an issue of Economy....hhhhmmm.

reply to post by starsyren


Have you looked into getting into the political field? Yes the economy sucks, but they pay lobbyist representatives quite a bit.

As to the second statement,

White and female? yes

blonde? not so much

Really the only question is are you willing to move to advance?

I dunno, man, our income has been halved. We're now lower than middle class I am sure.

I don't see a lot of hope though, no. Not anytime soon.
We're just hoping we don't sink further.

We work harder than ever..

BUT....

first bonuses got cut, then pay, and for the last year it seems every day we are ready for my husband's plant to close up.

I've had health issues the last few years but never applied for disability. Now it is too late and I really don't want anything from the govt. anyway. Doc says what I have normally never lasts more than 5 years, so there is hope for that. I CAN walk now - 3 years ago I could not do that.

So on a personal level - LOTS of hope.
Concerning this country - HA. Nope. Something HAS to change.

If I were in charge, I'd get rid of the drug war, bring the troops home, quit sending foreign aid all over the place, and beat congress if they didn't pass legislation to keep jobs in the US. I'd have to put a tariff on cheap crap from China too, so US goods could at least compete. I mean, fair is fair, and these other countries are not playing fair when they can hire kids for 10 cents an hour.

reply to post by dreamwalker74


No, not free yet, I am just as much a part of the collective as the next guy, the only real difference being is that I am actively trying to engage the future.

There are some days I wish it would all just come crumbling down (society) so I can really get on with it.

I have transformed my world here, but I am at the mercy of others when it comes to becoming evicted. I may have to dig every plant and every tree and find a new location and that won't be easy. I may have to abandon half of what I do just to survive, and hopefully make it back here to retrieve what has remained. I will ultimately face the same thing everyone else will face, I am just more practiced, but I am barely scratching the surface.

I thank you for the compliment, but I am afraid it is a bit premature at best. I really should create a blog of my gardening and adventures.

I can recommend a book, "The Encyclopedia of Country Living", by Carla Emory If ever there were a bible to survive it would be how our Grandparents, and great-grandparents survived. This would be the way!

Thank you from a fellow slave!

reply to post by dreamwalker74


My situation at the moment seems to be abnormal from most people I know. I make steady money but by no means as much as I used to make (this results for a personal choice to change jobs and move out of the city, and literally from no other factors). I own my car and my home. I have no children or spouse. At the moment, I mostly just profit, as my income though meager far exceeds my spending (which is at this point limited to necessities and a few utilities). I'd classify myself as lower middle class. I'm not poor, but I'm not making a ton of money. My situation is more the result of a spartan lifestyle with very little spending required. If I was supporting a family, I doubt I'd feel as good about it as I do. I feel safe, but that's relative, in that I know if I were to lose my source of income today, I could probably survive comfortably for 2 years provided that I do not increase spending for any reason. Anything beyond two years makes me nervous at the moment.

I feel pretty blessed about my situation considering how bad it could be. The change of job and scenery may have cut my pay in half, yet I have saved more money over the last year than I've ever saved in my life. My cost of living may actually have been cut by four times or more as a result of moving, so that offset the income loss. I'm happier with what I'm doing now than I ever was before, so as far as I'm concerned, the last couple of years I've seen a net gain in the quality of my life.

I'm an independent and I have no faith in the leaders of either party as stewards of the economy. Republicans and Democrats are two sides of the same coin, and that coin is worthless.

I think that the only out to this is a complete rethinking and restructuring of our approach to trade and currency. What we do now doesn't work, and will never survive in the long term. I don't have a more definite answer than that at the moment, as I'm still trying to fully frame the problem.