Economic Recession, Consumer Depression

Just Total B.S. on Economy

We've been sold out by turncoats, liars and traiters. The unemplotment rate is a total lie, it's two or three times whay is stated, the numbers have been cooked. The biggest economic problem is the constant off-shoring of jobs. First it was manufacturing in the 70’s-80’s, then technical jobs with H-1 temporary visas to foreign nationals in the 80’s. Outsourcing, temp workers without health benefits in the 90's, yada yada. Now even the telephone support jobs are India or somewhere else where you can not get someone who speaks proper English. My wife actually spoke on the phone to someone who said he was Sanjay or something Mahoney in an effort to anglicize his name. The list goes on and on. Why is it even legal to operate a business in the USA using the infrastructure and protections under law of this country, yet make everything offshore by people living in hovels.

Richard Thompson of HI @ Oct 19, 2008 00:09:39 AM

Consumer Spending

I own a small business that use to thrive. Now I have noticed that since mid-September my business is worst than it has ever been in 6 years. Customers are not spending and holding back their incomes or spending it on gas. But what does that do for the small business owners? We still have overhead to pay regardless. So if we go under that removes the spending in rent, ads, products/supplies, employees salary, accountants, cleaning services, repair/maintenance services, expansion, our spending, etc. all money to other business that could go under as well. What happens then?.....

Small Business Owner of VA @ Oct 07, 2008 07:32:00 AM

Conservation, yep that's the key.

Yes, just conserve your money. That's the answer for sure. Who needs a job or an income when you can just conserve yourself into financial independence! You don't need food. Conserve those food dollars and check dumpsters around your city. You'll find plenty to eat. Conserve those housing dollars. Don't get an expensive mortgage when a cardboard box will do the trick. Who needs to spend money on new clothes when burlap sacks are so inexpensive? Obviously you're just a spoiled American if you have a reasonable expectation of job opportunities, affordable food and housing, and reasonable costs of living. Sheesh!

DJ of IL @ Oct 06, 2008 19:14:58 PM

dagnabit!

Listen, we need to take a deep breath and relax. This is nothing; wait until Iran builds a nuclear bomb, then we will have something to worry about. Until then, think good thoughts, brush your teeth, and go to bed early. Tomorrow is another day.

billme of IN @ Oct 05, 2008 21:20:21 PM

Great Insight!!

This is one of the very first article that I think is providing the true picture of whta is happening and what will happen and has avoided all the standard cliches of the talking heads.
Looks like a behavioral economist has shown light of the day where most of the "me too" economists have been mudling around in the darkness, touting consensual opinions (with ulterior motives??) but without any deeper thinking.
Great Job!!

Sam of MA @ Oct 05, 2008 18:41:09 PM

NAFTA was introduced by Clinton, not a republican.
Obviously the system is not working here. Certain industries would be cheaper and better if they were government regulated and non-profit.
In Mexico petrol is cheaper because it is not for profit. It's government controlled. In Canada, everyone has healthcare, because it's non- profit system that everyone pays into. Lobbyists in Big Pharma are not making the rules there. Lobbyists have been calling the shots in the US for quite some time, and look at what is happening as a result: Total collapse. The dominoes are falling.

Michelle of HI @ Sep 24, 2008 22:01:58 PM

Answers

I really wish someone just knew what the hell was really going on in the US!

anonymous of MO @ Sep 17, 2008 18:58:31 PM

what is the difference between a consumer depression and an economic depression? what is a consumer depression anyway? I have heard that before.

Bootsie of @ Aug 12, 2008 11:19:27 AM

Consumer Depression

things are bad-unpopular war, high inflation, civil unrest, race riots, cold war with Russia, unemployment rising, unpopular president, financial crisis, no faith in government institutions...2008? Nope 1968...methinks we are going to make it through this crisis as well...leave it to a behavior psychologist to behave badley-we've seen it before-we'll see it again..

doug white of VA @ Aug 12, 2008 09:48:42 AM

Whiners? Spoiled?

My friends aren't whining. They're worrying. Many of them have been laid off and are actively job-hunting. The available jobs are at much lower wages and rarely offer insurance benefits. Imagine paying health insurance for your family on reduced pay. Some of them are juggling 2 and 3 jobs each. No one is taking any vacations or buying anything non-essential. Those of us who have the space are raising vegetables and chickens. I've been self-employed since I was laid off and I know it's only a matter of time before my major line of work is outsourced to another country. No health insurance.
I think about going back to school but how can I pay for it? The cost of everything is going up. We don't see people like ourselves represented in the news.
Someone commented that "the government doesn't create jobs". Actually governments are hiring all the time. Those of us who are struggling along are paying the salaries and benefits for these people. How long before there are more people on the wagon than the people to pull it?
Dang- I think I had a point but I'm too tired to write coherently.

Josephine of WA @ Aug 11, 2008 16:13:35 PM

Just Total B.S. on Economy

Consumer Spending

Conservation, yep that's the key.

dagnabit!

Great Insight!!

Answers

Consumer Depression

Whiners? Spoiled?

Rick Newman

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