Why We're Gloomier Than The Economy

[sunshine2777]

That is the fault of the economy? I asked OTHER than gas and food . And, THAT is the fault of the economy too? That's REALLY the fault of the economy. All the things you've mentioned have nothing to do with the economy, except "papergoods" and gas.
20 YEARS ?? You expect no inflation or changes in 20 years?

Other than gas and food, (which I've specifically outlined)I haven't seen anyone claim much, except sarcasm, indifference and nastiness.

We have lived through difficult times. My husband is ready to lose his business, due to gas prices. But, the article has some truth to it.

BibleNuggetLady...do you only warn people about their nastiness when you disagree with them, and when you agree with them, you let it go?:idunno

HisAlways: Your judgementalism is showing quite well.:ohno But I see no compassion. Maybe you should do a check at the door on your heart before dismantling my post down bit by bit like you did.

And if you dont believe that the changes in gas and food prices to such an extent doesnt adversely affect every part of our lives, then you are sadly mistaken. All of our lives are set up around our economy and the prices and the very existence of these things, such as food and gas. If it wasn't we would not be living so far apart from family, having such long commutes, or even have some of the type of jobs we have.

[agga40s]

Note to the OP: I highly recommend that you watch the documentary A Crude Awakening if you believe things are okay and we're all overreacting. It's available through Netflix, or you can see parts of it on youtube. Check it out.

[BeNotAfraid]

:hug HisAlways :hug

I don't mean to come across as attacking you...I'm just a sister who has been there--I've seen through the eyes you are seeing through right now. I've also seen many many heartbreaking situations, and I am afraid they will get even more common. Already we are becoming desensitized to peoples' plights. And as someone facing some tough choices myself, I suppose I am a bit sensitive about this topic.

Even the people who did allow greed to guide their decisions--even they deserve our empathy and we certainly do not need to point fingers or throw stones. After all, who among us has never been greedy or selfish or foolish?

[jds6958]

That was post WWI Germany....I'm sorry, but the comparison is a bit of a stretch, isn't it?

It is not a stretch in the least. Just replace "war reparations" with the monetization of debt and you will understand the parallel. However, the Weimer Republic was immensely corrupt, moreso than the U.S. Our situation will be better managed. Our situation will be a hybrid blend of the U.S.S.R, Argentina, and the Wiemer Republic, each to a certain degree. Argentina, Brazil, Zimbambwe, etc, all do not or did not meet the definition of recession either b/c of manipulated CPI data at the time. Using inflation data based on fact, the U.S. has been in a recession since 2007/2006 at the very least.

Exactly my main point.

My point is that we are currently in a period of stagflation, which could develop into a hyperinflationary depression, which if left unaddressed (no new currency) would develop into an unprecidented crisis. Therefore a focus on whether we are or are not in a recession is missing the point by the media, either by intent or ignorance. I think you may be saying the same thing.

Another "point" I was trying to make......

Sorry missed it...

None of my business, but perhaps these people did not read the "fine print" when they closed on their mortgages? Is bankruptcy an easy way out for some that have overstretched their incomes? Not saying your brothers/sisters, but I do know of people that have done that....my own family sister to name one. I'm just not convinced that all of these "circumstances" are the 100% result of the economy.

Bubbles and bubble collapses are always a result of the economy. The case studies that we can examine are people reacting to changes in the economy or not changing in the way that was expected. Even if we removed all people that "did not read the fine print" , which granted there are some, we would still be in the same position. Regardless of whether bankruptcy is or is not an "easy way out" it is of little consequence to focus on this. BK's will happen and there will be a consequence to the system as a whole. Anyone that is in a position that is not able to satisfy debt through negotiated and/or renegotiated agreement should strongly consider bankruptcy.


:idunno

:idunno

Understanding this is key to understanding the bigger picture.

Gas prices started rising in 1999/2000.

Gas prices are not rising, fiat currency is being debased. The tool we use as measuring value (fiat currency) is unstable and failing us. The amount that oil has increased in "value" can be attributed to slight but accelerating supply/demand issues.

When the "discussions regarding today" are misleading the direction of the populace, which can and will impact tomorrow, I'd have to disagree.

I agree with your statement. The mainstream media has really missed the boat in informing the public. Our economy is in a much more dire state as of right now than the media leads us to believe. And even worse, and to your point, the media is completely off base in terms of their economic predictive value. They are overly optimistic. I have not seen one mainstream article that completely captures the gravity of our situtation, even from the ones that wholeheartedly attempt such a task.

Only the very rich, I believe. There are many people that are not "very rich" that are still unaffected today.

The people that are not negatively affected currently and near term are those invested in strong fiat (not USD), energy, precious metals, agriculture, etc., regardless of one's financial status.

In a poll I read about gas prices, and how it affects "you" on a website, 66% said that they have not impacted them yet.

That article is a great example of the boiling frog syndrome. Few people in this country understand the impact of gas prices on the economy. It is impacting them, whether they know it or not. Either by a falling stock market, increase in food, product, or service costs, or by some other means. Income erosion always has an impact, recognized or not. I suspect that if we had that article's data and study available to us, we could tear it apart. Either by sampling bias, question framing, and/or the points I have already mentioned. When we are having riots in developed countries based on fuel costs and citizens in the U.S. state that they are not impacted when we are taking the larger portion of the impact, then something is seriously wrong.

I do not think that 66% in this country are VERY rich.

I don't even think many that consider themselves rich are very rich, once their paper assets are marked to reality.

I might be misunderstanding your position in some cases, so if I am I apologize.

[Chariots]

I work in the automotive industry, 30% of my customers who financed a car with us are at least 30 days behind which means they are 15 days from repossession. These people need to get to work but I have to pay my bills. Last year we had less than 5% of our customers late at any given time.

People are not repairing items on their vehicles unless it is a go or no go situation. Those who have major repairs are asking me to carry them on the balance of a repair. That is a big no-no in the repair business.

Two major factories in our town (11,000 pop) are laying off big time because their market is disappearing. One of the companies makes electronic control panels. These are industry and manufacturing musts if the economy is growning. New equipment means new controls. Even refurbing equipment will create some demand for controls. I am getting phone calls everyweek wanting to know if I'm hiring. I have never had that level of interest in job placement.

Ask someone in Indiana living and working near the RV manufacturing if the economy there is booming?

Parts of the economy are doing better, I agree. I have a friend in the repo and recovery business. The wrecker service from accidents is way down (due to lighter traffic) but his repo business is really hopping.

As a plus if you need concrete work or home improvements there is no 2 month waiting list to get on. The adverse spring weather still hasn't backed up concrete work in our part of the country. Just seems no one wants to build a house right now.

[dramama]

Jds6958 :thumb
Our economy and articles like the one posted are a gossamer tissue of lies, connect the dots it's obvious we are in deep doo doo.... the media and govt are blowing sunshine up the skirts of the masses. Many take the articles as fact (even though the facts listed are limited in scope and knowledge and sometimes accuracy) because it's easier than learning something about economics and markets and doing some research. They also have complete confidence that the numbers and figures being reported are factual and acurate, I wish I could live in that sunshine. Check out the Fed documents and govt reporting among other things and see what's in the numbers. Get ready for some rough times ahead!!

[HSmomto4]

You know the job my husband works in is seeing a cut back in jobs being bid to them from AT&T. Nothing major yet, but just enough to know things are slowing down. Also, my Mother is the Executive Assistant at the largest car dealership in our state. They have to sell a minimum off 500 cars a month just to make a profit. This past month they sold 208. That is a big decrease in sales! FedEx is another one that indicates how the economy is. They had nothing but bad news today and may cut over night shipments. UPS is expected to follow suit with bad news and cutbacks. They are the best indicator of our economy!

Now you asked why I thought September would be a bad month and it is simply the end of the 3rd quarter. Everything is indicating a huge slow down over this summer. The dollar is showing no sign of strengthening, which will make oil continue to go up as well as imported goods, and people are running out of credit to keep them afloat which will bring a halt in spending. I'm not saying the economy will collapse in September, I just think it will be the beginning of people really seeing there's trouble in the economy.

[HisAlways]

HisAlways: Your judgementalism is showing quite well.:ohno Excuse me...MY judgement? This was your reply to me at the beginning of the thread:
Nice to see blindness, denial and deception is alive and well in America. But I see no compassion. Maybe you should do a check at the door on your heart before dismantling my post down bit by bit like you did. Before you suggest that I "check at the door of my heart", maybe a mirror might be in order. When you come off sarcastic and degrading because you may have a different opinion, I don't feel you have any right to tell me to check "my heart", because I simply pointed out that many of your "personal" situations you mentioned have nothing to do with the economy. And if you dont believe that the changes in gas and food prices to such an extent doesnt adversely affect every part of our lives, then you are sadly mistaken. As mentioned on this thread by others besides myself, not everyone has felt impacts as badly as others have. All of our lives are set up around our economy and the prices and the very existence of these things, such as food and gas. If it wasn't we would not be living so far apart from family, having such long commutes, or even have some of the type of jobs we have. You're entitled to your opinion, as am I, and my life is not "set up around the economy". My life is set up around faith, and hope in Christ. If trying to find positives in a dark world is offensive to some, then so be it. If I am not "warm and fuzzy" after being insulted, then perhaps the insult should be considered also.

[BeNotAfraid]

Excuse me...MY judgement? This was your reply to me at the beginning of the thread:


I think there was a misunderstanding. When I read the post I took that comment to be referring to the Washington Post article, not to you. HTH :hug

[sunshine2777]

I think there was a misunderstanding. When I read the post I took that comment to be referring to the Washington Post article, not to you. HTH :hug

HisAlways: The above is correct. I was not directing it at you.. never even crossed my mind.. I was directing my comment to and about the article, the media and the public in general. If you knew me, you would have known that I would never attack anyone that personally like that... I am so sorry you read it wrong.... it definitely was not directed at you.

However, some of my Personal situations may not have been caused "by" the economy but they will be affected by the economy. Many people I know will have situations affected by the change in the economy with gas and food price changes. I never was "blaming" the economy for my situations however I was trying to point out some adverse affects it is having on them already. And we haven't seen the end of them.

I honestly thought the discussion was on what adverse effects the changes in the economy were having on people, not on what situations were specifically "caused" by the economy in the first place. Although, at the rate things are changing, I dont see how you can separate one from the other. at this point. The economy's downfall and the adverse effect on most of our situations are tied directly together or will be at some point.

I am sorry for the miscommnication all the way around. However, on a side note and not really related, I read judgement all over your comments about my child custody situation and payment of support. I see it often but normally not from strong believers. I am a mom of 3 little girls who did nothing wrong but believed one too many lies from my ex. He is consumed with evil and wants to destroy me using them. So with a sick husband, my age, needing to change jobs and having someone just jumping to throw me in jail at the first chance, I would think you could take a step back and show some compassion at that one. There is more pain in that particular situation than anything else this world or economy could throw at me at this point. :ohnoAnd I dont think you would be the type to do that if someone said they had "cancer" and they couldnt get treatment because of the economy, I dont seriously believe you would point the finger at them and say its their fault. Some situations are no fault of a person's own behavior or decisions but are handed to us by the Lord for His purposes and reason.