The only difference between now and then is that people are a little more intelligent and haven't resorted to jumping out of widows like in 1929.
No differnce between 1929 and 2009 crisis. We are all just trying to hangon.

I think if people simply stop being so greedy, the market will get back to some semblance of order.

AFTER ALL ,WHAT IS THE EFFECTS OF ALL THESE STOCKS MARKET CRASH.FACTORIES ARE PRODUCING, TRADE IS GOING ON ,WHY THESE SHOULD STOP.THE GREED OF TYCOONS, IS SO STRONG ,TO HOLD EVERY BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.PEOPLES SHOULD GET RID OFF THEMS.

know one really says the truth, lies, lies, from big bizz an the gov.look at it this way, yes 29 was bad. A lot of even wealthy folks lost everything. not happening this time they get bailed out. How many wealthy familys do you see set on the street? we are skewed this time as working people......

I think one of the reasons is the gas and all ways was who can afford to go any where it cost a normal person his or her check to get to work and back and it makes food and everything else go up get those greedy bastards to lower the gas and levee it there and watch it pick back up people will be able to do something i myself stock at home cause of the gas prices food gone out of sit because of it all of it is do to the greed of it.

There will not be a recovery because the American workers wages are to low and to meny jobs have left the country for good. The American workers can not work any harder nor take on more debt.

I dont figure it out how the gobnt.bailout this corp.with our money and just (1) person is in jail
what about the other hundred or more that still living like millionaries with our money and laghfing at us it make me real mad when the gobnt. going to put then on jail

As a student of and participant in the markets,I can only say the similarities are greater than the differences between 1929 and now.
Then we had "Pools" now we have hedge funds, both unregulated, like Ponzi schemes.
The real trouble in the economy didn't really show up until the early '30's, even then the very rich somehow stayed very rich.
Roosevelt, and his attempted reforms were branded socialism and communistic, economies worlwide were scrambling for resources and raw materials to feed industry and then, VOILA.
World WarII,

free trade huh started this mess the good old usa is in,thanks to the [REP].

It's all about making a buck today. We don't give a @###@ about anyone else.It seems that our philosophy today is "How Can I screw You Over? "
As the saying goes "The rich just keep getting richer and the poor just keep getting poorer" .
The middle class just keep on footing the bills
that keeps our social services and free agencies
operating. The wealthy has all the loop-holes and tax breaks.2009 is worse than 1929-there are more wealthy and more greed aot there today

If people would live within their income and stop using credit cards, trying to live like the Jones, and save for a rainy day, plus, if industry would quit moving their businesses overseas, and lazy folks would get off their butts and work.....at home to make it a better place...then they would have pride enough to try to accomplish something on their own without depending on our government to give them a handout.

America has prospered because America was good. We have ceased to be good. America, the beautiful, God shed his "grace" on thee...but we have left him out of the equations. It(the recession) is not a money problem, it is a moral problem. Depravity, bondage, poverty can be traced in every country that does not acknowledge the ONE true God. Look at the path that Rome took...Every "system" breaks downs...all ours have been hit at once, spiritual, financial, educational, industrial, physical/medical...Lest I sound radical, Jesus is THE way, THE truth and THE light...we all have to choose.

MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY IN 2006. SHE TALKED ABOUT ANOTHER DEPRESSION COMING. BOY, WAS SHE RIGHT.
I WAS BORN THE LAST OF THE DEPRESSION IN THE 1930'S AND KNOW THERE WAS BAD TIMES.
WE NEED TO CUT CORNERS IN OUR LIVES.

clinton is the one who got china in as "most favorered nation" trade status. between that and taking money from that country to get re-elected...don't try to blame the problems of the universrse on bush. ohbahma and team had betteer start taking responsibility for their jobs! heck, the last twoyears bush was a lame duck anyway, with the dems being in control now for over 3 years! they will lose so many seats in 2010! good.

I AGREE THAT WE HAVE A MORALITY PROBLEM AND
OUR SOCIETY WOULD BE BETTER OFF RETURNING TO
THE PRINCIPLES UNDER WHICH THIS NATION WAS
FOUNDED "ONE NATION UNDER GOD" OUR YOUNG PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THERE IS A GOD WHO CARES AND IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY, IF WE HAVE FAITH WE CAN PULL
THROUGH THIS AND A LOT MORE.

the 1929 crash was not the cause of the Great depression it was Government intervention with its parallel in todays USA Hoover pumped money into the economy then Roosevelt pumped money and regulations on buisnesses then 6 years after Rosevelt took office we had the start of the Great Depression 1937. At the rate the Dems and Obama is going we are headed in the same direction IF WE DON'T LEARN FROM HISTORY WE ARE BOUND TO REPEATE IT

I just wanted to say as a middle class worker, we are the ones that are out busting our butts to make ends meet. We have no other choice but to work two three jobs just to make it. As someone commented the gas prices are out of control so there right you can't afford to go places. All you do is work, buy food, pay bills, and stay at home day in and day out. I liked it better when we received the $600 stimulas in one lump sum instead of over a year. Why don't we get bailouts when in desperate time from the government to help us pay our bills. Why not just give everyone $100,000 to spend into the economy and that way everyone gets bailed out of their financial crisis.

Jesus is coming soon!

This 'crash' was brought about by the past decades free credit policies. If the government would simply stat out of the matter, the market would take care of itself. The people who made the bad decisions and investments would learn as those investments which were bad naturally failed. Example: GM. Then new better run businesses would replace them. What the government is doing is the same thing now that FDR tried. FDR's policies actually lengthened the depression of the 1930's so that recovery was impossible until the demands of WWII kicked in. Starting a global war to improve your economy is NOT a good thing. We are still dealing witht he aftermath of the decisions of WWII in the mideast today. If the US government would simply step aside and let the market take care of itself. Market justice would be brutal but swift and then we could move on with a better outlook.

You guys are a bunch of cry babies.. I agree, the economy is doing really bad thanks to greedy and honest lacking people and those who keep fueling/maintaining the same evil economic environment we're living in! Grow up people... Things will never change, unless someone who is not human intervines on Man's dealing/worlwide corrupt form of goverment.

We've already lost our Country-there'll never be another honest election in the USA--Osambo's knuckle draggin' goons (black and white) can enter any voting place and remove the ballot boxes--destroy them and no one in gov't will do anything about it Osambo will turn the USA over to the UN in Copenhagen next month and the majority of Americans that voted for Osambo in Nov. '08 are gettin' exactly what they wanted 'Change' Say goodbye to our Constitutional based America Sad, Sad, Sad.

@Ace sez

...LOL!!! Osambo.. You're a funny guy/gal! You don't seem to get it at all, do you? ;)

THIS IS HOW USA IT'S GOING TO LOOSE IT'S DOMINIUM OVER THE WORD. A BETHER COUNTRY IS GOING TO REPLACE IT.

dan.
You stated "even then the very rich somehow stayed very rich". Well thats always the case. In the lead up to the crash people who are trying to become rich buy up securities and any other assetts they can at inflated prices-often sold to them by the rich, then the economy crashes and the rich get the assetts back for pennies on the dollar.

There are so many similarities between the situation today and the crash of '29, yet things are so drastically different as well. Things that led to the crash in '29 were people using credit like crazy, banks taking too many risks, and people not living within their means. After the first war ended in 1917, the American economy boomed like crazy throughout the 1920s.

But we also have very drastic differences from those times. America is now very, VERY involved in the world. That global market involvment I think actually saved our asses this time around. While we are no doubt in a recession and slowly moving out of it, if we weren't so intertwined with European and Asian markets we would have most certainly had a depression exactly like the 1930's or worse. But that global market involvment actually helped cushion the blow I think. It dragged the rest of the world down with us, but prevented complete disaster.

What is happening in today,s market place is the result of the Secular Progressives/Humanisits(who are not Democrats) odious agenda to destory the free marketplace and the Constitution of this Nation!!!Their main goal is to spread lie upon lie until everyone believes it is the truth and the Creation of a one World System. These are very dangerous people;therefor,it is time for US as a Nation to go back to the ideals of the Founding Fathers and a Faith in God. Stand Up America;because We as a People and a Nation can be Great again. We can DO THIS!!!!!

People...If the working class of this great nation have a backbone to stand on, problably we could teach the egocentric, money minded, poor crusher, financiers that we hold the secret of their success. the working class needs to say "no more" of this abuse and collaspe the economy by calling out for an entire week! United and only united is how we can show, teach and prosper a nation. I believe, we have sold these virtues to the "devil".

The "end" of America is not yet!, but it's day is short insight! National Ruin will soon follow. The principles of this republic are being lay low and will be replaced by principles that where in Europe during the dark ages! Be aware of the involvement of the Christian Right with the State...this union is what will mark the end of "free" America as we know it!, such will bring the collaspe we've all been expecting...we haven't seen anything yet!

In 29 almost 400 banks failed and here we are 2 years in with only 125 failures...

In 29 we weren't a globalist economy so we held the entire weight of the world on our shoulders...

Now we're globalist and we have things that other countries want (like most of the worlds fresh water and a large portion of the worlds food).

As for the US Dollar, this isn't totally bad that the Dollar is taking a beating because it sets the US up in a position where we can totally turn this thing around with a simple tax break to big business because things will again be cheaper to make here than to import and sell here.

Going even further, Our country need to change the way it operates in business or we won't compete with countries like China and we should boycott businesses that moved to China for a seat on their government.

Problem is Human beings are very stupid creatures. We do not learn. We'll continue to screw each other and kill each other for our own selfish greed. We continue to have wars, continue to have poverty, and continue to destroy our very environment in which we depend upon. How we behave will only change if something other than a Human intervines.

Goverment is not the solution it is the problem.Welcome to socialism,you wanted it you got it.Now health care for all plans, means you must buy it or you will be put in jail.He has turned the american people into criminals for being to poor to buy health care.Revolution is needed now more than ever.

This makes me think of my grandfather that passed away. The Depression scared him so much that he never used a bank after it was over. haha Although he didnt have much, he kept every cent hidden in his bed. Yes 2008-2009 has been rough, but we will make it through it and...it will happen again later down the road. I just hope that we learn enough each time so that it doesnt happen again for the same reasons. Yes our government is to blame...along with unions, banks, and both you and i. We all got carried away. Almost everyone. Being negative about it all definitely isn't going to help us any either.

Our leadership over the recent decades as sung the praises of business at the expense of everything else claiming that what is good for business is good for everyone. Businesses (esp. large ones) as exemplified lately, focus on short term gains on their balance sheets with little or no concern about sustainability. They operate entirely in a moral vacuum. Favoring big business is akin to favoring a sociopath. In doing so, our leaders have become one with the beast.

an old woman told me,God gives us these things to wake us up, but, people are not listening.Now everyone is going to pay for somes mistakes.

In my view we made GOD money.As long as we place values on money instead of the well being of humans and respect of life we will all suffer the cons.(including the so call RICH)You see, it's all the bad causes certain people make based on GOD (i.e. money)that destroys our air & land.People are distroying people on behalf of GOD. Is this what the real GOD wants?

It's the 80th anniversary of this event, and its my 80th birthday! I was 3 days old (Oct. 26, 1929) when this happened (Oct. 29, 1929) so lived & grew up in the depression years. There are some stories that could be told but no one wants to hear them - they have no interest to the younger generation, and the younger generation doesn't have a clue about how hard it was to even live during those times. You have these 'pie in the sky' ideas of what you think went wrong and it probably couldn't be further from the actual truth! Politic's! Graft! Corruption! Greed! Stupidity! Crime! Ignorance! and basically the same thing then as what happens today, but then it was on a smaller scale! People did jump out of windows rather than face financial ruin! There were bread lines, and what my parents did to support their family wouldn't even be considered today - today you people would resort to crime to solve your problems! My mother took in washing & ironing, baked pies' to sell, worked in the cannery, while dad worked on the WPA building roads & bridges at $40.00 a MONTH and was damned happy to have it! You folks wouldn't work that hard for $40.00 an hour! What does that say about the population of today and their attitude? Back then family was important, nowadays the more illegitimate kids you can pop out and then how you can live off the state is what is important - or your RIDE! Or MUSIC, or clothes or ridiculous hair styles! Work? That's completely out of the question - why work when you can be on the take!
As me if I would rather be around the poor folks back then, then the people of today and I'd tell you 'yes, I would!" At least they could be trusted and believed but not today - today its how can I get my hands into your pockets, or how can I rip you off to make more money then ever before, and how can I ship all these jobs to India or Phillipines in order to make my profit margin bigger? You don't stand behind the crappy products you make, and here we live in the greatest, state of the art technology of ALL times, and people are dumber than ever! They can't think, read, write, junk work ethics (or none at all), and expect a paycheck just for showing up at work - late! They are smart mouthed, sarcastic, rude and undisciplined! And, now, look what is voted into the White House to run this country! Are you idiots kidding? This empty suit will be the ruination of this country -and you'll be sorry too late! He ain't no Franklin Delano Roosevelt, that's for dang sure!

Have some of you looked in the mirror lately and thought it might be time to take back responsibility for running your life. As much as we have become a nanny nation, that doesnt mean we want to keep supporting you and your 10 kids in the trailer park. Global competition forces economies and entire industries to change, so let's get up to speed.

Back in the days when automobiles first started rolling off the production lines, I'm sure someone out there cried about losing their jobs making buggywhips. So should we have stopped using cars and continued taking horse drawn carriages everywhere? Hell no!

If you want to continue making more than they do in China or Mexico, then you better produce something that they can't. If you insist on remaining ignorant, and you still want the job, there's always the next flight to China or Mexico.

As much as these radicals would like to have you believe, THERE IS NO CONSPIRACY.

Perhaps the real problem is some of these people are just idiots, or at best really lousy with a spell checker. (Please see Exhibit A)

Hmmm... Maybe we should focus on fixing our education system first. Better get on that "Osambo".

EXHIBIT A:
- "Osambo's knuckle draggin' goons"
- "What is happening in today,s market place is the result of the Secular Progressives/Humanisits(who are not Democrats) odious agenda to destory the free marketplace and the Constitution of this Nation!!!"
- "THIS IS HOW USA IT'S GOING TO LOOSE IT'S DOMINIUM OVER THE WORD. A BETHER COUNTRY IS GOING TO REPLACE IT."
- "TRADE IS GOING ON ,WHY THESE SHOULD STOP.THE GREED OF TYCOONS, IS SO STRONG ,TO HOLD EVERY BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.PEOPLES SHOULD GET RID OFF THEMS"
- "IF WE DON'T LEARN FROM HISTORY WE ARE BOUND TO REPEATE IT"

I think the bailout should have been divided evenly between everyone that worked and paid into the tax system. Billions of bailout $ divided x millions of workers = economic spending. Someone who works there butt off for $20,000 a year or less would feel rich if they recieved a $50,000(bonus).These people would of paid off the bad mortgages,and the banks would of gotten there money that way. Instead the banks got the bailout and then foreclosed on the homes, and are now reselling them(more money for them). And the leaders of the packs are still getting big $ wages, and they say we need that to retain the best and brightest(right). These people would of then spent the money into the economy on new cars, paid bills, food, business start-ups(you get the picture). But the only ones you see in Washington saying we need to do this and do that with this money are the ones wearing the suits, not Goodwill clothes, the ones pushing pens not production bottons or flipping burgers. When these suits in the Washington houses give themselves a $10,000/yr raise and some people have to WORK for 1/2 year to make that it's not right. I don't care what you do i dont believe anyone is woth more than $1000/day for 8 hours. If your company can afford to pay someone these kind of wages they need to do one of two things. Lower your product cost and or raise your lower paid employees wages.

I think the bailout should have been divided evenly between everyone that worked and paid into the tax system. Billions of bailout $ divided x millions of workers = economic spending. Someone who works there butt off for $20,000 a year or less would feel rich if they recieved a $50,000(bonus).These people would of paid off the bad mortgages,and the banks would of gotten there money that way. Instead the banks got the bailout and then foreclosed on the homes, and are now reselling them(more money for them). And the leaders of the packs are still getting big $ wages, and they say we need that to retain the best and brightest(right). These people would of then spent the money into the economy on new cars, paid bills, food, business start-ups(you get the picture). But the only ones you see in Washington saying we need to do this and do that with this money are the ones wearing the suits, not Goodwill clothes, the ones pushing pens not production bottons or flipping burgers. When these suits in the Washington houses give themselves a $10,000/yr raise and some people have to WORK for 1/2 year to make that it's not right. I don't care what you do i dont believe anyone is woth more than $1000/day for 8 hours. If your company can afford to pay someone these kind of wages they need to do one of two things. Lower your product cost and or raise your lower paid employees wages.

I was born in the '40's. I remember growing up on a farm. Life was hard, but much simpler than today.
We're living in a high-tech disposable society.
An abundance of "glut & greed."
America is destroying America.

I never learned much of anything about the stock market, except I knew my 401K was used to (invest?) and that started tumbling downward the day they finished counting the Florida votes and they announced Dub-ya the winner. I think I only got roughly half of what that 401K had been valued at before the tumble.

Later this same man made a speech about how good it was for the U.S. to hire cheap labor from overseas.

Anyway, I had lost my Programming career by September, 2002 at 58 and could only find Temp work after that, until I finally landed a job flipping burgers at McDonald's for $5.15 an hour (I used to get $60K a year - more when I contracted).

I went through all my 401k money, went bankrupt, lost my house, most of my possessions, and the wife. I started drawing S.S. at 62, which was a life-saver and finally landed a job a year ago as a Security guard at $7.50 an hour.

Things are getting a little better for me now, and I feel like I was living the Great Depression all these years. Thank God for the V.A.; that’s really the only thing that kept me from jumping out a window. Many others did exactly that, or weren't you paying attention? Suicide by Cop actually happened quit a bit at first. Okay, maybe not many jumped out of windows, but the result was the same, never-the-less.

Here is a suggestion lower the gas prices back t two dollars a gallon keep it there. Watch the economy rise if we don't wait until Black Thursday when sales are normally suppose to sky rocket this will show the world where the economy really is. I do believe we are in a depression not a recession and no one is sying it. Black Thursday will tell it all. If Obama would give out the $600.00 stimulus again people will put it back in the economy they pay there bills or buy deperatley needed items like grocerys or clothes and that returns gives company's money.Which in return helps out the government and it helps us out. We haven't even seen that little extra each month we were suppose to get due to taxes. We didn't get it the government gets it back so it didn't help us out any.
Janet in NC

The difference is that the government is more incline to save companies (a cost of billions), money is federally insured, and people live off their credit cards. There was none of that in 1929

If I knew why the pay for flipping burgers was $7.50 an hour I could claim to comment on economics. I don't believe I am Robinson Crusoe in not knowing why the pay for flipping burgers is $7.50 an hour.

Wow, TAG, at last someone who can WRITE! Some of the other comments might actually have a cogent point, but it is hard to hear because they simply weren't able (or willing) to learn how to write in English. Pity. Plus, TAG, you are actually speaking from a place of experience--not theory. Today's leaders and the youth should have read their history books and listened to their teachers and their elders. It isn't cliche, it's true that history will/does repeat itself...lest we learn...

No one has spoken to the power of the press in their comments. Doesn't anyone hold the press responsible for not reporting and resorting to all this editorializing? In any successful government take-over, the first thing that must happen is for the new leader to control the press. Obama has that power; the Dems have been enjoying that position of power for nearly 3 years. The press have become virtual "King Makers." Thanks to the Internet, some of the thinkers are still able to communicate and, it seems the non-thinkers are beginning to listen. If so, the next election will make the necessary changes: ELECT LEADERS; ELECT PEOPLE WHO CHERISH THE US CONSTITUTION; ELECT PEOPLE WHO WILL TRULY REPRESENT; ELECT MORAL INDIVIDUALS [well, maybe that one is asking too much...] ELECT EDUCATED LEADERS; AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, ELECT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT MARXIST/SOCIALISTS.

I'm not sure how to turn the tide on the attitudes of seemingly so many who believe that government should be taking care of them. How does one instill ethics? Work ethic? Moral ethic? God knows I tried to teach my children and I tried to teach them through His words. They're 18 and 20, respectively. I'm not sure, yet, if they were paying attention...time will tell and I may or may not live long enough to witness the answer.

Nevertheless, I pray for our country and urge everyone to do the same--in HIS name!

I bought my house, refinanced it when i could to get the lower interest rates, lived with in my means. Property taxes more than tripled in 5 yrs, electric bills increased, phone bill increased(dont own a cell phone), home gas prices doubled, car, life and homeowners insurance went up. I did go out on a limb to get loans to send two of my boys to college 1st at 4.25% interest second @ 8.5%(lowest i could get) 2 yrs later. Wife was rear ended at 50mph while stopped for anoter accident(young kid only had $12,500 max policy), had to go out and get a loan to buy another vehicle, money from ours had to go to doctor bills,living exspenses to make up for her lost time from work, one year later our insurance still not coming up with our uninsured/underinsured policy money and she still needs surgery for whiplash. Cancelled my health insurance at work in 2008(before accident) it went up 30% that year and only 18% this year because of promised cap. Yet I'm still making only $1.50 hr more than i did in 1993. What's wrong with this picture. Now i've been laid off since Feb 2009. Yet the major portion of the people that caused this mess are still employed and making big money. But let us not forget they are the best and the brightest that are making these decisions that effect the lower paid employees. We really need to support and stand behind them and what they say is best for us. GIVE ME A BREAK. OR EVEN BETTER MY BAILOUT

We are not in a recession, we are under God's judgement. This country has gotten so far from what our founding fathers intended it to be. We have taken bibles and prayer out of schools,and replaced them with condoms. However when someone commits a crime and is put in prison they are allowed to have a bible. Seems a little reversed to me. We have murdered innocent babies and called it abortion. We have allowed homosexuality to run rampant in this country to the point of making a marriage between two men or two women legal and then expect God to bless a nation that spits in His face. God is soverign and calling the shots now. We can either humble ourselves before Him now or we will bow before Him at a later time. It will just be a little late then. This nation will economically collapse because we have forgotten God and the only way He can get our attention is through our economy. Zephaniah tells us that maybe he will hide us under His wings during the day of judgement. I pray this be so.

I absolutely agree with Terry's comments but, to make it simpler they should have bailed out all Americans over 18 years old with a $100,000.00. Not a $600.00 check(OH BOY WE CAN EAT THIS WEEK KIDS)!!!! That would truly get people buying, going and doing things again. If your gonna through money around to banks and the auto industry, what's the point? No one can afford the cars or the payments the banks are going to give them. HOW STUPID IS THIS GOVERMENT!!!!

I'VE READ ALOT OF THESE COMMENTS ON OUR ELECTED OFFICALS, YOU CAN PAST THE BLAME ON WHOEVER YOU WANT BUT REMEMBER YOUR THE ONES WHO BUT THESE INDIVIDUALS INTO OFFICE AND CONTINUE TO RE-ELECT THEM. UNTIL WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KICK ALL OF THESE INDIVIDUALS OUT AND START WITH NEW WERE GOING TO BE IN THE PLACE AS WE ARE NOW. EVERYONE SAIDS ITS NOT THEIR ELECTED OFFICAL WHOS CAUSING THE PROPLEMS BUT BY RE-ELECTING THE SAME ONES OVER AND OVER GIVES THEM THE BELIEVE THEY CAN DO NO WRONG. ITS TIME WE ELECT SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT OUR SITUATION NOT THEIR OWN. WHY DO YOU THINK THESE PEOPLE RAISE SO MUCH MONEY FOR A JOB THAT REALLY DOESN'T PAID THAT MUCH? ITS THE BENEFITS THAT THEY GET HEALTH INSURANCE BETTER THAT ANY OF THE PEOPLE THEY REPERSENT HAVE, TIME OFF ANY TIME THEY WANT, FREE VACATIONS (TRIPS IN NAME OF THE PEOPLE), RETIREMENT AFTERSERVING ONLY A FEW YEARS, AND DON'T FORGET THE PERTS FROM ALL THOSE LOBBISTES. THE WEALTHY CONTROL OUR SENATE, CONGRESS, AND PRESIDENT, NOT THE PEOPLE. IF A CEO OR PRESIDENT OF ANY COROPORATION WOULD LOSE THEIR JOB FOR BAD PERFORMANCE YOU'LL NOT SEE THEM IN UNEMPLOYMENT LINE, BUT IF A WORKER AT THEIR COMPANY DOES THATS WHERE THEY'RE BE. IF SOMEONE COULD GIVE ME A COUPLE OF MILLION DOLLARS I BE GLAD TO RETIRE.

I'VE READ ALOT OF THESE COMMENTS ON OUR ELECTED OFFICALS, YOU CAN PAST THE BLAME ON WHOEVER YOU WANT BUT REMEMBER YOUR THE ONES WHO BUT THESE INDIVIDUALS INTO OFFICE AND CONTINUE TO RE-ELECT THEM. UNTIL WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KICK ALL OF THESE INDIVIDUALS OUT AND START WITH NEW WERE GOING TO BE IN THE PLACE AS WE ARE NOW. EVERYONE SAIDS ITS NOT THEIR ELECTED OFFICAL WHOS CAUSING THE PROPLEMS BUT BY RE-ELECTING THE SAME ONES OVER AND OVER GIVES THEM THE BELIEVE THEY CAN DO NO WRONG. ITS TIME WE ELECT SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT OUR SITUATION NOT THEIR OWN. WHY DO YOU THINK THESE PEOPLE RAISE SO MUCH MONEY FOR A JOB THAT REALLY DOESN'T PAID THAT MUCH? ITS THE BENEFITS THAT THEY GET HEALTH INSURANCE BETTER THAT ANY OF THE PEOPLE THEY REPERSENT HAVE, TIME OFF ANY TIME THEY WANT, FREE VACATIONS (TRIPS IN NAME OF THE PEOPLE), RETIREMENT AFTERSERVING ONLY A FEW YEARS, AND DON'T FORGET THE PERTS FROM ALL THOSE LOBBISTES. THE WEALTHY CONTROL OUR SENATE, CONGRESS, AND PRESIDENT, NOT THE PEOPLE. IF A CEO OR PRESIDENT OF ANY COROPORATION WOULD LOSE THEIR JOB FOR BAD PERFORMANCE YOU'LL NOT SEE THEM IN UNEMPLOYMENT LINE, BUT IF A WORKER AT THEIR COMPANY DOES THATS WHERE THEY'RE BE. IF SOMEONE COULD GIVE ME A COUPLE OF MILLION DOLLARS I BE GLAD TO RETIRE.

Merlon Bute, the reason the pay was/is $7.50/hr. is because that is minimum wage in Missouri, and $8.00/hr in Illinois! You do know what minimum wage is, right? It means that the state statute says the least amount you can pay an employee is $7.50 an hour (Missouri), or $8.00 an hour (Illinois). It used to be about $5.25 an hour but has gone up over the past few years - where have you been? In a different world?

Amen to Earl Griswald and 'tag'! My mother is 84 and remembers those times well...she and her brother planted 10 acres of potatoes by hand one year during the depression. They harvested them with the help of an old work horse and sold them for about 10 cents a pound and made a profit doing it!! I honestly don't know many people who would be willing to work that hard for a comparative amount of money today. I had a 27 year old office worker (suit and tie) tell me a few weeks ago , in a very superior tone complete with eye rolling, that blue jeans were for farmers...this as he was stuffing his face! I had all I could do to keep from slapping him! He had a girl from my department help him change a tire on his car in the parking lot the other day because he had no idea how!! He is one of the 'suits' that have helped send hundreds of jobs from our electrical connector plant in New York to Mexico (where they work for $1.85 and all the tacos they can eat 3 times a day) and then sell the parts to the American military. Until you see these attitudes change (and I'm not holding my hand on my butt that long) NOTHING is going to get much better for a very long time! Get off YOUR butts, get an education, take charge of your lives and be willing to WORK your way out of this fellow Americans...it really is the only way! Oh, and be willing to help others out along the way too...even if it sticks in your craw that a healthy grown man doesn't know how to change a tire!!!

ron paul

Our monetary system is flawed... there is never enough money to take care of debt incurred. We must abolish the Federal Reserve and have our own Treasury issue our money. Read Ellen Browns' book "Web of Debt" and you'll understand the Ponzi scheme going on right now. We need save and get back to making things the world needs instead of spending our way into oblivion.

My neice, down in Kentucky said that her losses currently are alot worse pecentage than 80 years ago. I knowed from what i heard that things are gonna get worse. Ruby Howard

Sonni. You are right about the elections. Only one flaw. In the primaries you do not have the right to vote for who you want. It is either one party or the other. Say i like this Dem. and that Rep. well i can't vote that way, but yet they say my vote counts? What if i like this presidential canidate and that vice president? My vote does not count. I think we should put all the positions and the names wanting to hold them postions on a ballot, then choose.
I don't think the government should bailout anyone anyhow or way. But if they are going to do it put the money in places that it is truely going to help "we the people" not "we the big corp". If these corps failed then it was the best and brightest they hired. You bet some other company would of taken there place and put more "best and brightest" people in those positions.

Why do the people who feel we or the government should not help the needy and the poor are supposedly the most religious? Why do we need to call our progressive society evil and say that GOD is punishing us for treating people equally? Are we really that far from what our founding fathers intended as you refer to taking Bibles out of schools etc? This country was not founded as a Christian nation. Did you read or take history? It was founded on freedom of religion and many of our founding fathers were not active Christians and Christianity in America did not exist nearly to the extent it does today. God is not punishing America! Unfortunately there are upsides and downsides to a capitalist society and this happens to be one of the downsides, or downturn. It will get better. We will see prosperity once again. The world is changing and we just need to figure out how to get back in the game. It has nothing to do with God or us straying from the intentions of our founders. If anything, we have moved closer to what they intended, not farther. Our founding government was actually quite liberal, like it or not. Was Thomas Jefferson a socialist? Do you even know what socialism really is? FYI the Obama administration isn't it.

WHAT ME WORRY!
12-21-2012 IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

Eighty years apart ; but not Related in anyway ! the 2001 crash was a direct result / assult on the World Trade Centers bye a war faring bunch of Radical Extremeists Muslin Jihadists ; on September 11, 2001 ; unless you have been under a rock in a cave somewhere ; or your li be real head is soooo far up your own posterior you can`t sit down ; you should have this figured out bye now ! Dang it People get real ; tell this Tax everybody to death bunch of D C Idiots to sit down and Shut their idiot yap traps ; they seem to desire another American Revolution ; Brother killing Brother ; Dumbitt stoppitt now ! Just how many iditos does it take t Ruin a Nation seems around 235 + / - .

wha wha

I love it when everyone thinks that Obama will fix this problem by just being "Obama". He is creating a much larger problem by throwing money at a problem and then blaming the free-enterprise system for the evils of an over-reaching government. The people need to realize that any government lives only to make itself larger and unless we want to see a true communist system where we all suffer (except for Obama and his cronies) and all live in communal farms and sites such as this will be monitored and the writers will be sent to Alaskan gulags to work next to anyone else who dared to speak up. Excercising our constitutional rights is not just only our right, it is our responsibility! Just be quiet and let the "gument" take care of our lazy asses! Obama will take care of us????? It is better to die on our feet than live on our kness, but, we need to stand up first to this over-reaching bureaucracy that is now being createdl.

Sonni - thanks, but its just stating the plain, simple, truth. People today don't listen to the stories or can even begin to relate to what happened back then - the run on the banks because of gossip, the stock market plumiting up and down like an earthquake, people uneducated in the ways of Wall Street and the Stock Market, much less be able to read a stock report! Lack of industry as we know it today and wages so low it was pitiful, yet, prices were much, much lower then, too. A loaf of bread could be had for $.10, a gallon of gas $.19 and you had to pump the gas up into the tank and THEN feed into your vehicle (it was a hoot), and income was in line for unskilled labor which was prevalant in those days. Ladies wouldn't be caught dead on the street without stockings on, otherwise you be thought of as a bare legged tramp, and education was unheard of. If people today only knew how very fortunate they are to have access to the things they do, but they don't. The only entertainment was the radio, Amos & Andy, Charlie McCarthy & Edgar Bergen, or you made your own with hayrides (those WERE fun), picnic's, barn dances and home cooked foods brought to the fair! And, 4H, for the kids to bring their farm animals to the fairgrounds to win a blue ribbon! You had your own chickens and had to collect eggs every day! Those roosters are mean! And, you grew your own veggies. Today, someone might grow a tomato but seldom anything else - no interest!
Well, I could spend hours thinking about those days - but the best treat I was ever able to have was a chocolate fudge sundae with caramel and pecans over the top! Then, I thought I had died and gone to heaven!

Interesting to read the above. A glimps here, a flash there, lots of good observations, and a lot of nonsense. So let me add mine.
Folks, I think it's simple. Over the last 40 years we have let our country go astray. We, the working people of America, have lost control. Big money has taken over, BIG OIL, BIG CORP, BIG MILITARY SUPPLIERS, BIG AG, BIG ENERGY, BIG MED, BIG DRUG, BIG BANKS,et al. Google Eisenhower's final address to the nation in 1961 and read his warning,think about it,then read it again! The rot had already begun, as a consequence of the military build-up of WW-II, and Ike tried to warn us. We did not heed his warning. By now, Congress has been bought wholesale by big money and is largely dysfuntional when it comes to issues that would serve the good of all Americans, such as health care reform.
Our job now is to turn the country around and make it work for all of us. Obama was elected because a majority of us saw, or at least sensed, the need for change - away from the control of Big Money and back to the people.
Think about it: Who profited from the Vietnam war, and what did ordinary Americans get out of it other than 58,000 sons dead and half a million hurt? Why did we not go after Saddam during the first Gulf war? Who made the money on this Iraq war, and who's paying for all wars? War is a prime way of extracting money from the people and funnel it into a few well lined pockets. So is control of agriculture, food processing and distribition. And so is control of oil and energy. Let's not forget money itself. You surely have noticed the many mergers, leading to ever bigger conglamorates, less competition, and more control. The federal government, along with intelligence services and the military, have become tools to further the interests of big money, essentially a shadow government that exercises the real control. Loyal troops, such as CEO's who hew the line of greedy interests reap huge rewards, totally out of proportion to any real contribution.
Those knowing history will recognize the parallel to the robber barons, nobility, and church lords of old. History indeed repeats itself. Then they drove a sick tenant farmer off the land, to die in the woods. Today they drive a sick person into bankruptcy by denying coverage, to die where? All the while they fool the people with sanctimonious and patriotic slogans and well paid talking heads to keep them in line, to maintain their place at the Washington feeding trough. And the right fringe is only too happy to comply, echoing and enhancing this deception. Sorry, good Christians out there, God has very little to do with this sorry state of affairs, greed in high places and ignorance and inaction of the rest of us pretty much explains it all.
Think it over. Does the observable evidence fit?

My grandmother was a housekeeper for a man who owned a farm..it turned out to be a wonderful place to raise her 3 kids after my grandfather abandoned the family to starvation. The farm was eventually willed to my mother and her brother...but they worked their butts off on it for many years. I grew up on that farm...and loved every day of it! Mom remembers the day they moved there from Vermont...the man owned a piano and there was a bowl of oranges on the kitchen table. She knew in her five-year old heart that she had landed in the richest house on earth! She also thought she had sded and gone to heaven!

I dont believe the bailout should of gone to anyone that had not put money into the tax system, so all 18 year olds ect, are out unless they did contribute. I raise a garden and chikens. And any extras that i don't preserve for myself i set up a table by the road and give them away. Yes free food. It bugs me when i see a guy(heavy set) in a new car and suit come up to my table and take just about everything on it. I also offer it to my neihbors. Even though i know they are better off than a lot of people. I feel if everyone could give just a little bit to help anyone else this country would start to get better. I know i'm laid off and things are tight, but i'm not the only one suffering. I believe i would be the same even if i did make more than the $25,000 a year that i do. And i know that i could sell it and make money. But to truely give without any strings attached is what we need more of today.

By reading Tag comments, I can see that kids were taugh very well on the depression years. This octogenarian man writes and make sense better than the mayority of people that posts a comment on line. English is not my first language,but I can't see how the language is being wounded without feeling some sadness. Although, I do not agree with his last remarks,I give him a lot of praise for the rest.

Al, you took the words right out of my mouth. Lets stop wallowing in self pity and fearing the wrath of GOD for our alleged sins and take this country and our lives back from big business. The people are supposed to control business not the other way around. Unless you control the company, you have no control at all, education or not.

The greedy bastards who raided the price of oil? You mean the Saudi's?

Or do you mean our congress critters who are STILL fighting drilling for our OWN oil?

Perhaps you were referring to the dimocrats who decided that Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac should keep making loans to people who had no chance of paying them back?

Obama didn't "inherit" this mess, you can't inherit something you caused in the first place, no matter how you try to shift the blame.

ponzi schemes? what do you think social security is? I'm 55 and have accmlulated 1.8 million in retirement savings; none of it is in anything that can lose money and I pay the price by missing out on market "opportunities". I worked for the federal govt for 30 years, lived frugally and never played the market. When I had an interest income of 6k/month, I retired. This is my American dream, built by hard work, luck and a lack of greed. Only invest in the market what you can afford to lose.

The reason conservatives view socialism as bad is it makes them think of cold war relics such as the former USSR. During that time, Americans were taught to believe the Russian regime was evil and socialist views and ideals were evil. In fact, a great deal of democratic nations around the world have socialist views and many social programs including the United States. What would have happened if we never had Social Security, or Welfare programs like foodstamps, housing assistance, and medical assistance. I'll tell you what! 10 percent of America right now would not be able to feed their kids, including myself after having been laid off because my company couldn't get new work and the work they had done they weren't getting paid for because companies, just like people can't get financing. Thank GOD for these programs!

You conservatives who run out of 401K money will eventually need to rely on Social Security, a social program! Having socialist types of programs like these doesn't mean communism. Some of you are confusing socialism and communism. Sometimes government's responsibility is to intervene when capitalism starts to fail the best interests of the majority of society. That is what has happened.

They called it a recession , but in reality
it's a depression. This is just like the 1929 crash only the government; Did not bail out the 1929 crash. They called this a recession so people
don't pull their money. Out of banks and the stock market. To make it as bad as it was in 1929.

hte depression was started by the goverment helping large business and the rich to get larger and stronger. and not care about the little people> or the worker,the family, today it is the rich the big business, and anyone but the AMERICAN THAT CONTRUBITE TO THIS COUNTRY AND HIS OR HER FAMILY.

America complains way to much. Be thankful for the freedom we still have, we're blessed compared to other countries around the world. NEWS FLASH... America voted for Obama then American can deal with Obama. If you dont like what he's doing, stop complaining and DO something about it, not sit there and say something. I agree, American isnt what it used to be, it lost its morals... but look at market graphs, little by little they have been inching UP.

The market has nothing to do with the little people,only the rich. The U.S. has gone from number one down to number 12.We will never go back up because we have few factories left here. Young people are actually leaving the country in order to get jobs. There is not even much freedom left here now. Day by day we are becoming more of a third world country. It won't be long before even the wealthy realize it. RIP America.

Disagree with Pete Barnes and agree with Wanda Tibs and Mrs.Bowers comments. Also, the unions have contributed to this. Unions were suppose to be for protection not outrages salaries for beginners with no expeierence. Union mangaement was not watching the financial reports on CEOs. Just renting airplanes for fifty-thousand a month. Good waste of money by corporate.
Carl W. Cosio

I predicted this collapse years ago. If, and I do mean *IF* we recover it will take at least 10 years. The problem is, America does not have the same ability to recover as it did from the '29 crash. The dollar is off the gold standard (which means it's free to become worthless) and our manufacturing jobs have relocated to China, our future enemy (how stupid are we?). China will get tired of playing second fiddle to us. Since I was a child, I've believed manufacturing is the only way to economic strength. But fear not, America still has a big 'debt' industry. In other words, America's greatest source of revenue now is interest on loan debt. That and the service industries. What a joke. This country will NEVER recover unless the manufacturing jobs come home and, by some miracle, this government becomes honest and fiscally responsible. In other words, we're doomed.

The same situation is coming now, the economy is getting worst every day. The difference now is that: this crisis is worst then the last because this crisis is Global, that means no body trust in American financial institutions to make investment in our banks or companies. So far in 2009 about 105 banks went out of business.
Most of the money in Americans institutions was money from other countries, that is the big problem, that money is not coming back to our banks any more. Emerging economies do not bring their money to us again. So the panorama is coming very black to us. in 1929 the crisis was local, now is global that is high risk. you will remember this as worst crisis of all American history.

America has been losing everything since the free trade scandal. We have very few factories, and this country was made rich by the factories we had many years ago. Our government and country is now made up of greedy people, who try and sell American citizens goods that amount to nothing but junk. This junk is eroding the enviroment and making our country a third world country. American citizens should be up in arms, and demand changes now, it's quite obvious our Government could care less about the citizens. Thanks to the Reps, who turned tail and ran when they seen the product of their making. So much junk is coming into our country, their needs to be a limit so that our factories can expand and make this country the great country it once was.

Yael, I hate to tell you this but you guessed it wrong - I'm not a man! I'm a female and learned to do as much as any man can do - I cook, clean, sew, paint watercolor pictures, rehab this house, make jewelry, have a workshop in my basement that most men don't own, and I know how to use the tools, whether handheld or power! I do most of the carpentry around here, the only thing I won't do is the plumbing and electric! I don't want to do those! I'm a disaster when it comes to those two things - but when my battery is dead on the car I charge it, etc. Yes,I was taught to survive, and I'm a survivor, BUT, the difference being that I enjoy ALL of the things I'm capable of doing and am self taught. I can use this computer pretty well, too, and taught myself to do that - however, compared to today's mindset I'm REALLY different because folks today don't care about learning anything! Sorry, but that happens to be accurate. The idea is 'let someone else do it', and when you let someone else do it you have lost control and desire to rise above and be everything you CAN be. I'd be interested in knowing what part of my comments (previous) that you disagreed with. Please let me know. I'm interested in your point of view.
One of the problems today is the 'let someone else do it' frame of mind. IF you don't take an interest in what your country is doing and how it is doing it, but go for a good talker that promises change but has absolutely NO practical experience to bring about that change, or the extremely necessary insite/knowledge to KNOW what is needed then you have chaos! His history in Illinois is pathetic and certainly not the basis to be the president of this country ! He merely talks a good game and 'lets some one else do it' when it comes to making a cognizant decision on what to do to fix a problem! How would he know? He's never fixed anything!

Religion is guilty for every evil in the world. Religious ppl form factions - political, social, business-wise - under a false mantra. There r 2 types: those mentally seek, living in schizophrenia, those who "really believe in God" and those who r just 'present' to the prayers. Both kinds r distroyers of the world.
Human intellect is not used efficiently - not even 5% of its potential - because these abstract, fictitious, absurd ideas of God.

I meant 'sick', not 'seek'.

Yes, this happened, and we ought to have learned from it by now. The "bailouts" ought to have been better monitored, only under the stipulations that there were to be NO "Golden Umbrella" payments to CEO's & That failure to adhere to strict conditions would result in 10-20 years in prison, all assets of the recieving/giving individuals taken away and put BACK into the "bailout" fund, ect.
The lesson we have to learn as a nation, is to not live outside of our means, and if others can't, to not panic. My Great-Grandfather (who came from "money" himself) had invested wisely, and was the owner of several lumbermills, farms, and ranches. He was managing quite nicely, living a simple life (much to the patent disgust of my Great-Grandmother, who herself came "from money"), and when this happened in 1929, urged caution, to leave ones' money alone, that this was a fluxuation in the market, and that it would straighten itself out. Had there been no panic, I am fairly certian, this would have been the case to be sure. Unfortunately, he had working for him a very unscrupulous accountant who was making *very* bad investments of his own, at the expense of my Great Grandfathers' fortune. The result was my Great Grandfather had to sell off what he did have for pennies, to bear the wrath of my Great Grandmother (who had to be forced into learning how to be poor, after a lifetime of having everything done for her, if that was what she wished), and to find the body of said accountant in his office the next morning, after he'd shot himself in the head.
The funny thing was, Grandma said "if none of that had happened, you'd have gone to Vassar, and have been married to and divorced from a Kennedy by now".
She repeated, again, how important it was that we learn, as a nation, how to "brutally deal with" these things when they occur, and to NOT live outside of our means.
This includes banks giving home loans to people who are so ill-qualified they should not have them-but get them anyway, Federaly monitored "bailout" activities-to avoid giving money to individuals who do not need (or deserve, really)more money despite ill performance...and to level Federal Felonies at these people, as what they are doing is nothing short of grand theft.
If I perfrom badly at MY job, do I get a huge bonus? If I am let go, would I not only get the bonus, but a sickeningly HUGE severance package....then become employed at ANOTHER place, with (most likely) the same sort of-or better-severance/bonus package? No, I would not. If I took Federal money meant to repair the state of the place where I worked, and instead took myself and 300 of my best friends to Barbados for "training", would I or not be hit with jail time and a demand for restitution? Oh, you bet I would!
Two words that the PTB's in Washington need to hear, and perhaps use: FEDERAL REGULATION.

The problems in this country will certainly never go away as long as Democrats point fingers at Republicans and visa versa. This is just a distraction from the reality that BOTH parties have done nothing to prevent or fix the problems that plague this country. Democrats think the "Robinhood" mentality will fix everything, steal from the middle class and give to the poor. Republicans ignore the middle class and cater to the whims of the wealthy. Notice a common theme here? There is a reason why the middle class is evaporating.. NOBODY REPRESENTS THEM. Both parties accept bribes, pardon me, lobbying. Both parties embezzle our money, pardon me, pork barrel spending. Both parties extort from us, pardon me, tax our income. As long as the politcal parties blame eachother, nothing will change. It's the same thing that goes on in the Middle East with the Arabs. As long as Arab leaders can blame the west for the suffering of their people, NOTHING will improve because, Hey, it's not our fault, things would get better if it just wasn't for THEM! WISE UP PEOPLE!

The problem is - we offer to many incentives for companies here in the US to manufacture outside of the US where wages are cheaper losing many jobs. If we had more of the products that Americans use made here in the US we'd create millions of jobs and billions in tax revenue for the US.

The problem, tha fault is our, US, NOT THEM. As long as Americans refuse to take an active, agresive, participitory role in their government, their democracy, they will leav the decision making up to the worst, most cynical, greediest, part of our population.

The problem, tha fault is ours, US, NOT THEM. As long as Americans refuse to take an active, agresive, participitory role in their government, their democracy, they will leave the decision making up to the worst, most cynical, greediest, part of our population.

The problem, tha fault is ours, US, NOT THEM. As long as Americans refuse to take an active, agresive, participitory role in their government, their democracy, they will leave the decision making up to the worst, most cynical, greediest, segment of our population.

The problem is the government needs to bring over seas jobs back home. The next is lower the Interest Rate to US Citizens like they offer to people that come in from out of the US. The housing industries would bounce back if they would make the lower interest rates available to OURS. Help the lower class and the middle class not helping the Upper class.The upper class are already rich they need to stop taking from everyone else,Give back to there OWN. The car industries need to take a step back see what they charge for vehicles. The Government needs to take along look at all these issues and correct the problem instead of masking the problem. Gas prices are rediculous and we need to figure out other sources. Like maybe opening up the Alaska pipe line and fixing it.What was the point of sending all those people to Alaska to work on it when its not operational?

All of these posters make valid points; if you can follow their threads. I've noticed so many errors in punctuation. Before you all start about the "literary police" remember that if you can't be clearly understood, your message will loose any impact that it is trying to convey.
One point that does come across is that of GREED and it seems that there is little or no integrity. Our nation used to "own up" to their mistakes and responsibilities. This no longer seems to be the case on a large scale. Don't get caught up in the panic. Take care of You and yours, help your neighbor and be good citizens.

When you bet on the quality of air beware of the pollution mongers.

When you bet on the quality of air beware of the pollution mongers.

The problem is the monatary system.Employs get money for labor to live,the employer sales the stuff for proffit,consumers buy it.It is a cycle for us to be consumers.Nothing ever gets better.Bank interest is given to the wealthy to keep the same people with all the money.Bank interest should be eliminated and see how long a millionaire remains a millionaire having to spend his money.Not long.The economy is controlled by the federal reserve.The monotary system doesnt work.zeitgeist.com movement.Join.

I am a small business owner in New York State. My husband, myself,and my grown son all work for our company. We were not handed this company, rather we worked our tails off to buy it (without financing), and because of where we reside, we are struggling to make ends meet and keep our employees earning a paycheck. I believe in paying my fair share, but the idea that all conservatives are the "haves" looking down on the less fortunate is absolutely a LIE. The long term solution to our economic woes is first to live below our means (meaning: save for emergencies) on an individual basis, then demand that our lawmakers do the same. This is still to my knowledge the only place on earth where one has the freedom to pursue a better life with little government interference, but we are frighteningly close to moving toward a nation of way too much regulation. And to respond to "Eric", my 401K has become a 201K, but I'm not gonna sit around for a MINUTE counting on good old Social Security to bail me out.The government has a dismal record of money management!!

Where the Sam Hill did you people learn to read and write? Illiterates spewing propaganda from uninformed sources with poor grammar does not lend crediblitiy to their commentaries. Go back to school before you open your mouths or engage your keyboard. You're pathetic. No damn wonder the country is in the shape it's in. Stupidity reigns!

if you ain't smart and stuff, then i think your story is not worth the time.

i disagree with the point you tried to make above, supply side will never be able to be the same... not true.

Force big business back into the United States by charging large terriffs on imports and get out of the was business too much tax dollars going out the window because we want the oil and gas rights in those areas, looks like China is getting them anyways.

Please look up the "great dust bowl" and what occurred just prior and led to the great depression in the the United States. It may shed great light on both the causes of the great depression then and perhaps even shed some light on what is happening now on a GLOBAL scale now. IT is all ALL connected.

When does inflation stop??? I remember when I was a child and cigarette's where only .55 cents. So my question is when does it stop?? When do stop helping out foreign countries and look more to ours. Do you think it is because we stop producing? It's seems like we are being held hostage; the american people. I have to look at myself and my spending that is the first thing I did. I spend like crazy and throw out a lot of crap. I'm in debt to credit cards banks. Where really does all of our money go and to who?? What countries? Including, inside of of USA. We are supporting foreigners in our country. Everything is so expensive yet they seem to know how to live off very little. We need to look at our families and ourselves first and see what we can do to better ourselves and what we can do for our own.

Cielo-Florida

phuck god. it is dead. christianity should die too as it is what is keeping our country in the dark ages. there is a moral problem in the usa and its called christianity. it makes people believe they can pray away a problem instead of solving it. it makes people believe that no matter what there is a sky daddy who will let no harm come to us. how surprised they will be when harm comes to us because of lack of action. too much trust in "god" will get nothing done.
since when does god deal in dollars? so you guys are saying that god controls money? i thought that was the job of the federal reserve?
we need another hitler, this time for christians.

phuck god. it is dead. christianity should die too as it is what is keeping our country in the dark ages. there is a moral problem in the usa and its called christianity. it makes people believe they can pray away a problem instead of solving it. it makes people believe that no matter what there is a sky daddy who will let no harm come to us. how surprised they will be when harm comes to us because of lack of action. too much trust in "god" will get nothing done.
since when does god deal in dollars? so you guys are saying that god controls money? i thought that was the job of the federal reserve?
we need another hitler, this time for christians.

with all the billions of dolars going into the bailout and into the pockets of military contractors, and you sheep are still blaming average joe for the economic crash?!?! why blame the small man? he didnt get us into this mess. that was all government policy that screwed us. america has always been a land of immigrants. they are not dragging us down. immigrants founded and built this country on their backs. yet how quick we become xenophobic...
we are hurting for many reasons, all purpotrated by big government beng in bed with corporations.
government+corporations=the people are phucked!

I made good money when a Republican was in office and now we got this idiot in office that does not know his butt from a man hole cover ruining the economy. 9 months after he toke office I lost my job, Gee thanks OBAMA-hope and change is not working for me!!!!!

Many people look outward for answers that are clearly right in front of your nose. We've been told this was coming for years (like 30) if you were not prepared it is your fault. Many large events take years to play through, the American people have very short attention spans and are too emotional in their responses. And then there are a few good analyzers that are able to profit. I don't pay attention to the overwrought news centers and I don't pay attention to politics. And I do very well thank you.

I forgot to mention, I don't hire whiners that blame everything on something other than themselves. I want, can do, and will do, and do do people.

You all make interesting points on the Crash of 29 and the present situation we are now in. We seem to be united in a our beliefs on many issues, greed,power,rich, issues that effect us all. The key is how do we unite millions of us to stop all this crap that is going on in our society.

You all make interesting points on the Crash of 29 and the present situation we are now in. We seem to be united in a our beliefs on many issues, greed,power,rich, issues that effect us all. The key is how do we unite millions of us to stop all this crap that is going on in our society.

Ignorance is bliss and there are millions of people in bliss right now....The solution lies in:
1. Letting the free market system work.
2. Stop the Growth (shrink) of Government.
3. Let people keep more of the profits they earn (reduce taxes and fees)

Businesses make profits to stay in business...Yes the oil companies make huge dollars but if you understood Profit and Loss statements, you would know that the margins of these companies is around 5%. Percentage wise, thats not very much. When you talk about a $100Billion company then the profit is $5Billion. It is what it is, so get over it. In my company, if you dont make at least 15% margins, as a manager, you will find yourself in the unemployment line. How come I never see outrage when a hotdog vendor makes a 50% margin on his sales? Surely a 50% margin is more "obscene" than a 5% margin isnt it? Why would you be fine with being gouged for a hotdog with questionable food value while at the same time bitch about paying for gas that provides you with the ability to go wherever you want, when you want?

All of us are getting abused by all levels of government. Taxes and fees are all around us and we all just keep quiet and keep paying. Worst of all, 250 years ago before there was a government to fleece the population, there were businesses conducting free trade and everyone thrived. We can live without government...we cant live without free trade. We all need to get pissed at our Government....these guys have their hands in your pockets and picking you clean and you just smile back and admire their ultra white teeth. You are being duped every day and are nothing but a stooge, if all you can do is wait for your "stimulus" check. Figure it out you boneheads,,,stimulus money is the money the government stole from you last year!! Some of our elected officals resemble a Clown act from some two-bit circus. How can anyone take these guys seriously. Whats worse, we and our kids have to live with the fall out from all of the problems these guys are creating.

We're now in the eye of the hurricance and everything appears sunny . . there is still the other side to pass through. Fasten your seat belts . . it's going to be a VERY bumpy ride. Guaranteed!!!

Instead of bailing out the Ins. companies, the banks, the auto industry,etc., I wonder where we would be economically had the government issued a $10,000. check to every working, (note I said working, no freeloaders please), and retired adult.I definitely believe the economy would have been stimulated much more so than it is now.

we need to bring back production jobs to this country. What companys have been able to survive? Walmart and McDonalds. Give me a break.Look in the newspaper want ads. How many real,fulltime production jobs do you see?None! Think about it!It will take good paying,long term jobs to bail out this country.

CRASH! The only crash everyone better worry about, is not the stock market, an auto crash, but the crash of the astroids attacking our planet. According to history, this is destined to happen. So everybody better start learning to hold hands, bend over and crash your oxo good bye.

Where manufacturing goes, money follows. All of the jobs moved overseas. How can we recover without jobs???

I'm sorry but I don't really understand the present financial crash. I'm told that it was due to lenders making bad loans, however I was also told it was due to the government forcing the lenders to these make bad loans. The government made a bad decision,so we bailed out the lenders. Now these bad people who accepted loans from the government, should be forced to cut their income by 50%-90%. Thank God, I only have a high school education otherwise I would be completely screwed up with the facts.

CRASH! The onlycrash everyone better worry about, is not the stock market, an auto crash, but the astroids attacking our planet. According to history, this is bound to happen. So everyone better start learning to hold hands, bend over and crash your ass good bye!

Plez uze spal chech befour makin a post.

Elected officials that bend over to lobbyists instead of taking care of representing the people he was elected to represent. Corporate CEOs paying themselves tens and hundreds of millions in a company owned by the shareholders...someone should tell them it is not their private company and piggybank for their fotunes. Banks get bailed out, write off bad debts (from bad loans sa a result of predatory lending)and then the consumer still gets harassed and sued for the full balance through a collection agency. The entire system is against the working class.

Read the book Kisses From The US Government: Because Americans Deserve A Few Kisses While Being Screwed. It's a good read, very insightful to a lot of current problems we are going through and it opened my eyes to some things I never even thought about. The Federal Reserve is not even a US government agency and they have never been audited. They are creating money out of thin air that is our national debt. You can get it at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I suggest you get a copy.

The American dream wasnt built on credit card debt!

I agree with all who are saying that we need to start being responsible for ourselves and help others as we can along the way. I think that people who can't take care of their kids need to stop having babies (octomom is an example). If you can't care for and feed your pet adequately, then don't get one. If you can't feed and care for your children, don't have any. I am a social worker who sees many parents who cannot care for their kids, but they expect welfare to pay for everything. They should not have had their kids in the first place if they can't feed them. I think we should all grow a garden every year if possible and bike to where we need to go during the spring, summer, and fall. I do not blame our president for much. We all did this to ourselves, and Obama is not the one running up our individual debts.

hidleberg group....the money and government manipulators.new world order.

Whoever said it above, they are right, "GOD is in charge now"....the sad state of our country is due to a complete deterioration of values and morals. People have become so disconnected from God. There is too much materialism, greed, so many people's priorities are so screwed up. Perhaps this is God's way of bringing us back to the basics, to teach us what is really important. I hope people learn from it...I certainly have and am grateful to have a roof over my head, enough to eat and my health.

The issue of high paid executives is between the executives and the shareholders of the company unless you want to do away with our constitution and go to a monarchy. I hear Chavez, Castro, and Mao will gladly assist in this transition.

You're all fools.

You feel it is the fault of others that these things are happening. Reading all of these- there is not a single reason why any God, or Goddess, would intrfere with the lives of us people on an Earth of such extreme disgust.

It's your generation that did this. We the children of the United States who's minds have not been altered by the teachings as you of ignrance have been taught. Where has your heart gone, that you might never feel the emotions of all those others. The only reason for These of wall street, (uncapitalized for respect it's values I do not) remaining alive, is because of our world. 'Twas a far more beautiful story of those who threw themselves from windows, for they were more humane.
And you. Idiots. Put your faith in these wretched preppies- raised to believe in the standards set by ones of this day- that money is the most powerful, that collage is required to gain a higher status- education is corrupted and teaches to be contemptable beings.
Don't bring your problems upon the young, you've already given us that nonsensical "MTV" which sets standards of normalcy that should not be there. Do not bring your realism among the only beings still able to create- your stress- disdain.

If I were as you all had been, I wouldn't have bothered to put my full name, but because I do not care for a future having to do with deplorable lies and sickened laws- nor shall I ever strive for any occupation other than my Art- Literature- or I shall die myself, I admit, in full, my hatred for what you've done. Don't abuse the freedom you've been given. You're incapable of thinking a better path for us alone, or together.
Listen to me, I am fourteen years old, and if I can see past what by no matter what you shall ever reach, than feel it is time to change your ways.

This is dumb the Economy is in fine shape. they are just trying to scare us they want the ratings that is all the news wants, and if they were to tell us what was really going on well there ratings would drop who wants to watch a show telling us that the economy is just going through it's stages and it goes through this about every other 10 or 20 years, we are not even close to the great depression and we will never be there unless a nuke war starts

This is dumb the Economy is in fine shape. they are just trying to scare us they want the ratings that is all the news wants, and if they were to tell us what was really going on well there ratings would drop who wants to watch a show telling us that the economy is just going through it's stages and it goes through this about every other 10 or 20 years, we are not even close to the great depression and we will never be there unless a nuke war starts

WASTE!! it's all about waste, right now the american correctional system is the biggest waste we have. with close to 2.5 million in jails and prisons costing the tax payers billions every year. with an avg. of 15% ever being productive law abiding people, some spending more than 2/3 of their lives in prison. I say hail to the death penalty and we need to use it more often.

We seem to blame everyone but ourselfs for this recession. We started with our credit cards, we would not be able to repay, and paying the minimum amount due. That was some of us, but it effected a lot of us.
We let large corporations become larger and control that sector of our economy, such as oil, banking wall street and manufacturing. We passed a bill by Phil Graham that permitted wall street to buy sub prime loans from banks in 2000. They bundeled them and sold these loans, as investments, to hedge funds. The loans were then insured under the name of "Credit/Default/Swaps to AIG, who started this insurance gimic in 2002. Banks were looking the other way, when they approved inflated appraisals, the equity in homes was appraised at 80% so banks could sell these loans to Wall Street, which was permitted under the banking act of 2000, who insured them through AIG. When the loans started to default, and values became realistic, the cookie started to crumble and it became a chain reaction. We needed to bail out Wall Street and the large banks or the entire banking system would have been frozen,with no credit(lines of credit) to small business or individuals. What our government did not do when making the loans(TARP)to the banks: is to regulate for oversite of how it is spent, limits on income to executives, and tracking its use.
We can blame others for our recession, but it really comes to lack of planning by individuals and business,(spending much more than we could afford), oversite by our government, and letting Anti-trust legislation, fall in a hole. Large companies control our economy through lobby groups, buying out competition, and moving our jobs overseas, for profit. Profit is the bottom line, and we did everything possible, including influencing our government by big business, to get a better bottom line.
We can come out of this economic recession, and realize that our environemnt, renewable energy, technology, science,language,education, and transportation, are ours eyes to the future. We need to reinvest and reinvent our culture,to our true belief that we are the most opportunity driven country in the world, by our ingenuity, planning and motiviation. We are not held back by others, we are held back by ourselfs.
People need to try to see themselfs as others see them. When we plan a businss deal, we should try to make it beneficial for all parties.We must not be bogged down by blamming others. We can pull ourselfs up,lift our country to the future, and continue to be the greatest country on earth. Hope is good, but taking action is better. Tom

Ok, here's the deal. Recessions happen, so let them happen. Everybody should just sing - they say you should always dress for the job your want, so why am I dressed like a pirate in this restaurant. It's all because some hacker stole my identity now I'm in here every evening serving chowder and iced tea. Should've gone to free credit report.com, I could've seen this coming at me like an atom bomb. They monitor your credit and send you email alerts so you don't end up selling fish to tourists in tee-shirts.

It always amazes me just how stupid and miss-informed the masses are as evidenced by the prior comments. Albeit, some of the miss-information here is from those who know better but are obviously promoting an agenda. But, sadly, most comes from just plain stupid people.

Our economy is not fine!!!! If it was fine then people would not be losing their jobs left and right. Some companies cant afford to pay their employees so they no longer have a job, and it is happening everyday,. So there for we are not fine. We are not at the worst yet, but still not fine!!

Prboomer, I resent being put into a catagory of being stupid, etc. when you have not had the pleasure of meeting me! And, if government would keep its paws out of social security funds then maybe the seniors could realize their little 2.5 percent COLA this year and next, BUT, because the ne'er-do-wells in Washington can't keep their hands to themselves, and the Osambo's can't stay at home instead of taking Airforce One on those vacations, using tax payer funds (boy, what a life), OR the money was recovered that has been paid out to all those helpless, lazy, constantly pregnant, criminals, on all government programs instead of working, then maybe this country would be in much better shape than what it is now. That's right, Osambo, when things get financially tough in Washington, don't take a cut in salary, take it away from the senior citizen - they are gonna die sooner or later anyway, right? Did any of you clowns ever think that one day, you, too, will be old? Osambo will retire with over $200,000 a year for making it to the top, secret service, etc. and the senior get squat!!! THIS is America????

If there was no unemployment benefits the situation with unemployment rates would have gotten worse these days.

The biggest difference as I see it between 1929 and 2009 is corporate greed why are stocks going up why is oil going up? all this is being pushed by greed

Some one remind us of the hardship!
If it was that devastating surely I, my children, and my grand children would know of this?
Must not have been that important?

problem is we are depending on too many foreign countries for goods. we import more than we export. thus killing american jobs. also, nothing agaisnt foreigners, we let them come in and take over our gas stations and become doctors while they turn around and send all the money they make home. american jobs are dying because we allow to many foreigners to come in and work for less, because we dont want to "offend" anyone. example: i was told dell was bought out by the chinese. they closed the factory in north carolina and are building a new one in mexico. so take away thousands of jobs here and give them to another country. how is america suppose to make money when all we do is buy from other countrys. budwieser owned by the germans.. hmmm. and we wonder why america's economy is dying.

Time now to rethink spending pattern for some people who are crazy over over priced bags and clothes... recession today is different from 1929, they thought we have gone smarter than our folks yesterday but indeed we keep on repeating same mistakes, we never learn from yester years. At present rich people get richer their pockets deeper to cover them up from lost, most of us in higer percentage aren't. Transparency and governing laws in trade is what we need to think about, it might be really needed... who and how its another question... All we know loop holes and worm holes are in, in this economy and politics it do mix up, in greeds and bribery.

BOB IS RIGHT!!! STUPID FORIEGNERS!! COME OVER HERE, SPEND MONEY TO VISIT, AND GET THE HELL OUT.. JUST AS WE DO TO YOUR COUNTRY!!

All "WE THE PEOPLE" NEED TO DO IS TAKE ACTION. Hit them in the pocket book like they do us. I say it's time to band together and stop the GREED That' all it is Greed. I have been in business for 9 years, profitable each year. GM has been going for over 100 years and can't figure out how to be profitable yet can pay bonuses in the Millions of Dollars and THEN THIS GOVERNMENT HAS THE NERVE TO BAIL THEM OUT.
1.2 Billion Dollars for a FOOTBALL STADIUM TO PLAY ON AVERAGE 4 HOURS X 8 weeks DOESN'T EVEN ADD UP TO A 40 HOUR WORK WEEK. How can anyone justify an expense like that. STUPID TAXPAYERS This country is out of Control with GREED. WE, THE WORKING PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE IT BACK.

it's real simple folks...
work, make money, pay bills

don't have children you can't provide for
dont' spend money you don't have
get an education of some sort, to improve your chances of a better job

no one owes you anything

work for it!!!!!

it's when we don't work, don't make money and don't pay bills that causes problems. or over spend on credit. guess what, we are feeding the corporations we are so angry and resentful to!!!!!!!!!!! stop buying a bunch of crap to make you feel "successful" and "accepted" by society - please your boss, your family and friends.

look up the word "wealth" - it has nothing to do with money.

To those who suggest we get back with God in order to once again be a prosperous nation: it seems we as a nation were more "religious" during the Great Depression than we are now. I believe we need to re-prioritize our way of life, i.e. living within our means, stop believeing we need material things in order to be happy, etc. However, not everyone in this country subscribes to just one religion or ideology. I believe we can be just, moral people without God. Whatever higher power we do, or don't, believe in, we can still be good, decent people. We all have a choice. I have no problem with others worshipping (or not) any way they choose. I do, however, have a problem with others telling me how or what to believe.

Was a Patriot a law abiding citizen?

Have we really learned anything? Really people? In the US markets, stock prices prices are reflected/measured in dollars. Back in 1929, our dollar was backed by gold. Today, our dollar is backed by paper. So, we hold on to stocks that are based on a currency backed by paper. Yeah, your stock may look like it is going up, but in relative terms, you haven't gotten anywhere. Keep dreaming people. There is one person representing us in Congress that is actually looking out for the common people in the United State. His name is Ron Paul. Check him out at www.ronpaul.com. He is sponsoring a bill HR 1207 - educate yourself on this bill and write your congress representatives in your state to support this bill. (And not the watered down version in the Senate!)

Canadians and Americans have a choice. They can keep on buying cheap foreign made products or they can reject foreign made products and demand Canadian and American made products from our retail outlets. If we buy products made in our own country the price will be higher but we will have jobs. We can keep on buying the cheap foreign made products but that will only encourage companies to keep leaving our country and taking our jobs with them. Foreign governments will not fund our schools, health care, old age pensions or welfare. These programs are funded by our governments and our governments are funded by the taxpayers. Who will fund the government when the jobs are gone.
That cheap foreign made item is costing you your future and the future of your children. Do you still think you are getting a bargain.

Canada is our #1 trade partner.If we traded with Mexico like we do Canada the US would prosper.We need another trade partner.One that isnt all the way on the other side of the world.

Too bad people don't really read and try to understand Eric-he hits it on the head but most are too busy screaming at someone else to pay attention.

What is it with the out of touch, clueless twits who can't wrap their head around the fact that things happen to people that are out of their control and sometimes they need help. The only response we seem to get from these people is to stop being lazy, get an education, and work! This isn't possible for everyone and many people who are in these situations are educated, some better than you. You think everyone is like you! If you can't relate to and have compassion for people, you are out of touch. Yes, some people take advantage of the systems we have in place, but the sysems serves a legitimate purpose. Not everyone on welfare, unemployment, or social security is lazy and those people shouldn't be viewed as a burden on our society. Some of those people have been a huge benefit to society and some will be again. Stop labeling and stereotyping everyone who gets help just because you are too selfish to believe you should pay into a system that allows our society to help those who need help. I hope some of you who gripe about never need it and plan to work till the day you die, cause unfortunately for some, it will be that or be supported by the system.

Hey Tag happy 80th birthday. Don't be so cynical of the generations subsequent to your own. Beings your 80, you likely collected all the social security you paid in and are now "on the take". God help us if your ill. It seems that every generation is on the take including mine and those subsequent to mine. No generation wants to give back and you surely know there are those planning to take even more or for that mater what's left. These days the words "Undermining Selfish America" better describe today's USA. It is awful that our young men and women are giving life and limb for their country knowing that the most serious of wars lurks just beneath the surface in their homeland. We have been sold out long ago by the greedy and powerful and what is left is not enough to regain who we used to be. I remember my mother telling me just how tough it was back then and I told my mother perhaps so but the debt you carried was must closer to zero then it is today. Not to get off subject but part of the problem the lack of controlling the cost of living. In 1929 you could likey earn .40 cents/hour and in 2009 $40.00/hour is an above average rate. Most may think its is a high rate. In 80 years that's 100 times higher. What do you think the hourly rate will be in another 80 years? Point is we cannot keep raising hourly rates and if the cost of living would progressively drop rather than progressively increase we could afford to live on much less. Homes, airfare, new cars, fuel its seems there is no problem dropping prices when no ones buying. A "sale" only proves that the actual set price can be reduced anytime. Why do you think Wal-mart is so popular. Milk or bread, we don't pay the cows and or the fields, its people. The unions are always asking for more and get more for the same output. The real reason prices are where they are is because we all think we need to earn $40/hour or more. Degreed individuals need even more just to pay back what they overpaid for tuition and that's the only reason. We will still have teachers, engineers, doctors and lawyers and bankers because people got to work. When I see highly educated individuals applying for entry level positions what does that tell you about the college investment.
CEO and politicians need to be independantly investigated. Their salaries are public record but they all seem to be gaining millions at the expense of others. Perhaps that's the real war our military need to be fighting. So Happy Birthday Tag and I think I want to propose a new Bill that senior citizens must relinquish all their worldly possessions to the federal goverment when they die so the goverment can sell it and keep Social Security alive at least until I can collect the $258,000 dollars I paid in. Think I'll move to Brazil.

Hey Tag happy 80th birthday. Don't be so cynical of the generations subsequent to your own. Beings your 80, you likely collected all the social security you paid in and are now "on the take". God help us if your ill. It seems that every generation is on the take including mine and those subsequent to mine. No generation wants to give back and you surely know there are those planning to take even more or for that mater what's left. These days the words "Undermining Selfish America" better describe today's USA. It is awful that our young men and women are giving life and limb for their country knowing that the most serious of wars lurks just beneath the surface in their homeland. We have been sold out long ago by the greedy and powerful and what is left is not enough to regain who we used to be. I remember my mother telling me just how tough it was back then and I told my mother perhaps so but the debt you carried was must closer to zero then it is today. Not to get off subject but part of the problem the lack of controlling the cost of living. In 1929 you could likey earn .40 cents/hour and in 2009 $40.00/hour is an above average rate. Most may think its is a high rate. In 80 years that's 100 times higher. What do you think the hourly rate will be in another 80 years? Point is we cannot keep raising hourly rates and if the cost of living would progressively drop rather than progressively increase we could afford to live on much less. Homes, airfare, new cars, fuel its seems there is no problem dropping prices when no ones buying. A "sale" only proves that the actual set price can be reduced anytime. Why do you think Wal-mart is so popular. Milk or bread, we don't pay the cows and or the fields, its people. The unions are always asking for more and get more for the same output. The real reason prices are where they are is because we all think we need to earn $40/hour or more. Degreed individuals need even more just to pay back what they overpaid for tuition and that's the only reason. We will still have teachers, engineers, doctors and lawyers and bankers because people got to work. When I see highly educated individuals applying for entry level positions what does that tell you about the college investment.
CEO and politicians need to be independantly investigated. Their salaries are public record but they all seem to be gaining millions at the expense of others. Perhaps that's the real war our military need to be fighting. So Happy Birthday Tag and I think I want to propose a new Bill that senior citizens must relinquish all their worldly possessions to the federal goverment when they die so the goverment can sell it and keep Social Security alive at least until I can collect the $258,000 dollars I paid in. Think I'll move to Brazil.

Hey Tag happy 80th birthday. Don't be so cynical of the generations subsequent to your own. Beings your 80, you likely collected all the social security you paid in and are now "on the take". God help us if your ill. It seems that every generation is on the take including mine and those subsequent to mine. No generation wants to give back and you surely know there are those planning to take even more or for that mater what's left. These days the words "Undermining Selfish America" better describe today's USA. It is awful that our young men and women are giving life and limb for their country knowing that the most serious of wars lurks just beneath the surface in their homeland. We have been sold out long ago by the greedy and powerful and what is left is not enough to regain who we used to be. I remember my mother telling me just how tough it was back then and I told my mother perhaps so but the debt you carried was must closer to zero then it is today. Not to get off subject but part of the problem the lack of controlling the cost of living. In 1929 you could likey earn .40 cents/hour and in 2009 $40.00/hour is an above average rate. Most may think its is a high rate. In 80 years that's 100 times higher. What do you think the hourly rate will be in another 80 years? Point is we cannot keep raising hourly rates and if the cost of living would progressively drop rather than progressively increase we could afford to live on much less. Homes, airfare, new cars, fuel its seems there is no problem dropping prices when no ones buying. A "sale" only proves that the actual set price can be reduced anytime. Why do you think Wal-mart is so popular. Milk or bread, we don't pay the cows and or the fields, its people. The unions are always asking for more and get more for the same output. The real reason prices are where they are is because we all think we need to earn $40/hour or more. Degreed individuals need even more just to pay back what they overpaid for tuition and that's the only reason. We will still have teachers, engineers, doctors and lawyers and bankers because people got to work. When I see highly educated individuals applying for entry level positions what does that tell you about the college investment.
CEO and politicians need to be independantly investigated. Their salaries are public record but they all seem to be gaining millions at the expense of others. Perhaps that's the real war our military need to be fighting. So Happy Birthday Tag and I think I want to propose a new Bill that senior citizens must relinquish all their worldly possessions to the federal goverment when they die so the goverment can sell it and keep Social Security alive at least until I can collect the $258,000 dollars I paid in. Think I'll move to Brazil.

Maybe it would have been better if they had all left town.

They should have taken Wall Street, 'Put them in a box, tie them with a ribbon and thrown them in the deep blue sea'.

And start all over again.

Hey Tag happy 80th birthday. Don't be so cynical of the generations subsequent to your own. Beings your 80, you likely collected all the social security you paid in and are now "on the take". God help us if your ill. It seems that every generation is on the take including mine and those subsequent to mine. No generation wants to give back and you surely know there are those planning to take even more or for that mater what's left. These days the words "Undermining Selfish America" better describe today's USA. It is awful that our young men and women are giving life and limb for their country knowing that the most serious of wars lurks just beneath the surface in their homeland. We have been sold out long ago by the greedy and powerful and what is left is not enough to regain who we used to be. I remember my mother telling me just how tough it was back then and I told my mother perhaps so but the debt you carried was must closer to zero then it is today. Not to get off subject but part of the problem the lack of controlling the cost of living. In 1929 you could likey earn .40 cents/hour and in 2009 $40.00/hour is an above average rate. Most may think its is a high rate. In 80 years that's 100 times higher. What do you think the hourly rate will be in another 80 years? Point is we cannot keep raising hourly rates and if the cost of living would progressively drop rather than progressively increase we could afford to live on much less. Homes, airfare, new cars, fuel its seems there is no problem dropping prices when no ones buying. A "sale" only proves that the actual set price can be reduced anytime. Why do you think Wal-mart is so popular. Milk or bread, we don't pay the cows and or the fields, its people. The unions are always asking for more and get more for the same output. The real reason prices are where they are is because we all think we need to earn $40/hour or more. Degreed individuals need even more just to pay back what they overpaid for tuition and that's the only reason. We will still have teachers, engineers, doctors and lawyers and bankers because people got to work. When I see highly educated individuals applying for entry level positions what does that tell you about the college investment.
CEO and politicians need to be independantly investigated. Their salaries are public record but they all seem to be gaining millions at the expense of others. Perhaps that's the real war our military need to be fighting. So Happy Birthday Tag and I think I want to propose a new Bill that senior citizens must relinquish all their worldly possessions to the federal goverment when they die so the goverment can sell it and keep Social Security alive at least until I can collect the $258,000 dollars I paid in. Think I'll move to Brazil.

WAKE-UP PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES!!!

Read the book, "The Creature from Jekyll Island", people! Seriously people, more you argue back and forth and not understand economics and/or not see how the system is being manipulated, you are playing into the hands of the people pulling the strings. Read the book and then see if your viewpoint remains the same.

Everyone is talking about this being like 1929,
well it is more like 1930 when they had a
rebound in the market and it turned and headed
for the cellar. Look real good and remember
the 10,000 Dow, you're not apt to see a number
that high again on the Dow for many months !!!

Help is on the way, hopefully:

H.R. 1207:
Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009

Nothing will change as long as Republicans and Democrats remain in charge people. If you vote for either one you are voting for the never ending expansion of government and more laws, more regulations, more "reform". I'm sick and tired of all the programs and reforms, they are taxing the middle class into slavery to pay for all the reform and programs. Look at social security people, the coffers are empty! Do you really think they will redeem themselves with this helth care "reform"? No. They will FUBAR it just like everything else they touch. The only way to turn things around and save America is to take a look at the other parties, our media and the Republicans and Democrats like to make anybody who votes or likes these third parties as beiing crazy or extremist because they fear nothing more than a third party arising to give them a fight, specially one who wants to stir up the pot and put in harsh term limits for all the politicians like the Libertarians do. I hear so many people say "well, I really don't care for eather one but you have to vote for the lesser of the two evils otherwise you're just throwing your vote away." That's exactly what they want you to believe people, WAKE UP, we have other CHOICES!!! I say if you vote for either party you are throwing your vote away! You want "CHANGE"? Throw the crooks out of Washington!!

Mr Bute asks why the pay for flipping burgers is 7.50 per hour.Perhaps it's because people need that much per hour to live. In Australia the minimum adult wage is over 14 dollars per hour, regardless of wether you flip burgers or any thing else. As a matter of fact that Australia has come out of the recesion, the first western economy to do so, so it is not the level of workers wages that cause economic problems, workers spend their money.It is the actions of banks involving themselves in risky investments, stockmarket speculation without proper foundation and the sheer greed of those with money to accumulate more for no purpose ( or if there is a purpose it escapes me.) Regulation by goverments will allways be needed to curb the unreasonable actions of these institutions and speculators. It is interesting to note that the richest country on earth at the moment is China with massive reserves of money, and a huge portfolio of American treasury bonds and yhis is a socialist goverment,it makes you wonder.

Just think for a moment...if our government can give every American, 18 years old and older, a one million dollars each, excluding the bad guys and gals, I believe each American family will have a home to raise a family, provide good education for their children, able to afford health insurance, and is still left over money to invest for success. Well, our population today is about 370 million people and that is just less than one billion dollars. Don't you all agree?

Your grandfather is shaking his head and saying I told you so after many warnings to me over the years of how devasting the 1930's were and here we are all over again, GOD BLESS AMERICA

Your grandfather is shaking his head and saying I told you so after many warnings to me over the years of how devasting the 1930's were and here we are all over again, GOD BLESS AMERICA

Many good comments. Mostly we are angry and feel we are in deep do do with no painless way out of this mess. There isn't! Real change begins only when we as individuals and summmarily as a nation hold ourselves accountable for responsibilities and the choices we make. Lets also make our voices clearly heard on election day. Corrupt governmental practices will no longer be tolerated. It's time for the overhaul folks. Less government,less taxes,less restriction on individual rights,less socialization and redistribution of my and your hard earned wealth. Wall street ,the federal reserve and some of our elected are clearly a den of thieves. Think AIG, Goldmen Sachs, Chris Dobbs, Barney Frank, Fannie Mae, corrupt congressional sweethart legislation ,bailouts, lies and more lies to decieve and escape the wrath of the people and the punishment they so deserve.

Agree with etcarpenter, but that is wishfull thinking thou,

Agree with etcarpenter, but that is wishfull thinking thou,

Agree with etcarpenter, but that is wishfull thinking thou,

Tag,
I applaud your can-do attitude, and I do believe you have stated all issues well, and only wish that I had a fraction of your knowledge and experience, which I know would help me understand life and the state of america today. I do not follow a lot of the politics because they only confuse me, often the best I can do is learn as I go and make the most of what I have (which isn't much compared to the majority, and is probably a whole lot more then others). From my standpoint, you are speaking with care and honesty;intrigity and pride that can only come from the heart.

Todays economy, from what I see, is fed by greed and corruption of the mind, if we could somehow manage to get back to basics and recall those harder days of yesteryear, then maybe, just maybe we could learn from the past to improve the future instead of stumbling around and making this place into an age of chaos.

I think bush and ben laden are the two to blame.
after that we can add the banking system.

I think bush and ben laden are the two to blame.
after that we can add the banking system.

As long as greedy people are there some smart wealthy non ethical person will make use and keep the market afloat. There are zillions on the block to get sucked!!

What ...why you all crying?...A tragedy is just an opportunity.. I am getting 8% on my money...HOW? Because many others are failing and I reap the rewards of tragedy. Not a very nice statement.... That means put your money in ...high paying ...well do your own research...Time to check were your money is...and just how much you will lose. You can always gain from others loss...Yes I know...sad but true.

I believe that no one should be allowed to be a politician and run our country or any country for that matter ...unless they have already demonstrated an ability to run a successful, honest and compassionate company. Think about it ...the noisy, yappy, talkers and the real deals are few and far between ...prob. 100 to 1. Hence our country heads for the toilet. Morals are absolutely essential at the top or things such as countries collapse..
Dick Cheney//Haliburton // Rumsfield//Gilead//Tamiflu //, etc come on those conflicts of interest are at the very top and pathetic to our human race.

We are very much a batch culture (microbiology) with our exponentially growing population.... so you better believe in a higher power in my opinion.

What Was The Glass-Steagall Act?

One comparison I make between now and then is, that before the depression and during the depression, young people (not heads of households) could affoard to go to free colleges and purchase inexpensive text books. I started NYU in 1950 and paid $10.00 for one unit. Now the tuition is $1,000.00 a unit. Now the cost of a text book may be $75.00 or more.
So, midde class and lower class teenagers cannot affoard to go to college in order to create a professional, working class, when the economy stableizes. Those that make loans will be in debt up to $100,000.00. So, what are they doing with their time?

Maybe if we would all stop complaining and get going we would all be better. Stop buying other countries stuff and buy american made. Like Walmart brings in from other countries and puts a big price on it. If would stop buyng the jobs would come back to us. So STOP BUYING from other countries, BUY AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS. We did it to our selfs.

It seems to me there are several reasons for the state of the economies. While Bush was in office, the interest rates were forcefully lowered to boost the economy, it should have been raised in order to slow the economy. However, due to greed and in inordinate amount of money being made, this was impossible to curtail. Additionally, the American dollar is based upon nothing, except for the feelings of its holders, if they are happy all is well spending is up and the economy booms.....credit, credit, credit.....its time for Americans to pay their bills....Bancruptcy is rampant, there was a time when we would have been ashamed of this. Now it is commonplace. America as a whole needs to pay its bills and stop spending (government) we will be paying off this crazy national debt for the next hundred and fifty years.

People just vote in 2012. Get it right for a change.