Comments on: One simple question

By: Leslie

Leslie — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:54:02 +0000

As an expat living in Japan, many of my Japanese friends find it hard to understand why I do not move back to the States, the land of 'milk and honey' and the American dream. This article says it all for me. I can only hope and pray that the upcoming election really does mark a radical change in my country so that someday I may reconsider the option of moving back.

By: JC- Los Angeles

JC- Los Angeles — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:49:13 +0000

It's a shame that the American people don't have one leader who will man up and admit his or her shortcomings. How about Alan Greenspan going back on 60 Minutes and telling the American people that he was sorry and wrong? Maybe even donating some of his book advance to just causes? Or how about the highly paid Wall Street executives or mortgage banking executives who were all wrong? They should man up. Or how about President Bush saying "I deserve some of the blame?" Right? Or the Catholic church saying sorry, for once? Right? Were the Olympic athletes who cheated sorry before they were caught? or just after? How about someone owning up to the gasoline debacle? Surely someone is responsible? Right? FEMA? Brownie took that fall but didn't really man up on his own. Barack Obama's finances were a mess before he received a book advance for memoires on, on, on? I'm not quite sure why he's writing memoires at this stage of his life. Do we need someone running the country who can't run his own finances? As I said before, Tom Brokaw did a fantastic job depicting "the greatest generation" while unfortunately, today's leaders accomplishments wouldn't fill a single chapter in a new narrative. It's time the American people received an apology from our leaders and time for one person to take responsibility, man up and straighten things out once and for all.

By: Annie Kate

Annie Kate — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:23:19 +0000

Our government sends billions of dollars of aid overseas to other countries and lets corporations send good jobs overseas as well – it seems like the government takes care of everyone in the world except its own citizens with the taxes we can ill afford given the cost of health care, food, and gasoline and heating. We need to take care of our own first and then help out others. As our incomes shrink so does our tax base and one day we won't be able to take care of anyone.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

By: Patty Harris

Patty Harris — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:01:51 +0000

Why isn't our government doing something to change what is happening. People are trying and doing their best to hold on and survive. It keeps getting worse. What is it gonna take for someone to wake up – what can we do – start a revolution. This is utterly horrible. Yes, people want change but it will take miracles to turn things around and I have yet to see any politician live up to their word and do what is right for the people. Vote! That is a joke. We just vote for who we think is best and they turn on us to pad their wealth. For the first time in my adult life, I am ashamed of this country and what is happening.

By: C. Anne

C. Anne — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:57:30 +0000

Powerful statements on the status of the US. Sad, but true. I officially lost the last of my discretionary funds about four months ago. Energy costs have me the most worried. I'm cramming to save for oil next winter, where it will cost approximately $1,200 per tank, and 2 1/2 tanks will be needed to make it to next spring. I can't be the only one getting scared.
New England weather can really stink. We got 85 inches of snow last year, and have hit 99 degrees a couple of days this summer, and it isn't August yet. I'm concerned about my neighbors, struggling to keep the lights on. I've been helping a friend by bringing food, as my friend's situation is even harsher than mine. I might be able to get through this tough spot if I thought this was a temporary thing. But I don't think it is.
Our country's resources have been squandered, and we are all at risk. Send a message-Vote!

By: jlafay

jlafay — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:33:28 +0000

Ditto.

The impetus of change is no longer only visible to the smaller demogapgic populations. Aging boomers whose majority has ruled this countrys politics is facing serious and often, unexpected personal economic situations. Change however, is not just a change in power, our economy needs systemic, fundamental changes. We are no longer a world economic power, or those oil billions would be flowing back into our capital accounts. They are not.

By: Sherri

Sherri — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:21:02 +0000

Seeing a report where a CEO of a company makes $120 million dollars a year gives me chest pain. How much money does it take to be comfortable? There should be no hunger or illiteracy in the US- and it's rampant. I worked 36 years fulltime, huge portions of my pay taken for taxes, Social Security. I had to quit to care for an aging parent and disabled sibling because bringing someone in to care for them or placing them in care facilities would have cost five times what I brought home a month.It will be nine years before I will be eligible to get Social Security should it be still available. It is clear that the Government intends for those of us who worked hard all of our lives to die so they will be spared the onus of holding up their end of the bargain. Utilities going up 20% this Fall, food up 50%, gasoline nearly a luxury. The listings of homes in foreclosure takes up four full pages in the newspaper that is now just a few pages in size due not to a lack of news- but a lack of funds to staff and print. Polititians and pundits throw the words 'real Americans' around as if they might actually know some of us. Government waste is obscene. The old phrase 'close enough for Government work' is still true. We as a nation have allowed a small percentage of people to decide our fate. We must be self sufficient in the world order, we must return to one person one vote, we must care for our own citizens before curing the ills and injustices of the world. No longer is 'working poor' an apt description. Working destitute suits better.

By: dmac

dmac — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:41:30 +0000

Government is the problem. Too many laws and rules have staggered our economy and pushed manufacturing out of the country. Now they want to fix what they have ruined with more laws and rules. Laws and rules just benefit the lawyers. They don't have the sense to stay out of the way and let individuals prosper. They are too busy cutting favorable deals for themselves and their "Big" campaign contributors. They will say anything for your vote. I have no faith in any of them.

By: GF

GF — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:12:50 +0000

Discussion amongst my peers (30 somethings) is the fear that this country is headed for third world status in the very near future. The cost of living has far out paced our wages and has slowly shifted many of us into living pay check to pay check. I have already cut down on the amount of entertainment spending and reduced the amount of food I purchase. More businesses will hurt as we all cut back since there is no longer any discretionary spending.

By: JC- Los Angeles

JC- Los Angeles — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:05:39 +0000

In today's society, our leaders have failed us time and time again which has always led to increased pressures on the middle class and higher costs for basic goods. Our leaders have shown us that in order to get ahead today, you have to cut corners, play politics, operate in the gray and in some cases, commit outright fraud. Companies have been so poorly run by executives that Sarbanes Oxley was passed. How about all the writedowns and restatements of earnings? Doesn't that contradict Sarbanes Oxley? How about our deficit? I guess we'll just pass it on to the next generation. The real dilemma today is that the peopel making decisions for the masses aren't always the best, brightest or most experienced. They are usually the people that have connections and money. They are mainlined into jobs and usually don't cut their teeth on the front lines. This comes back to haunt them later in life when they don't possess the experience or skill sets to make tough decisions. Meanwhile, the hard working Americans who have had to do it all on their own and who actually have the experience and skill sets to positively impact society, are often downsized and left to fend for themselves. The divide will continue to widen unless the deserving are actually heard and acknowledged. Tom Brokaw appropriately characterized "The Greatest Generation" while today's leaders are doing their best to articulate the worst.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:03:48 +0000

I think that most people are struggling now but no one will admit it because of their pride. The middle class and on down have really taken a big hit and no one seems to care.

And the reality of it is that most people see others struggling and do nothing because they think as long as it isn't happening to them that it doesn't matter. So they keep it out of sight and out of mind.

Something needs to be done and fast.

Cindy...Ga.