Signs of a declining economy

[Laughing_girl]

quote:

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Originally posted by 808blogger

it will not be improving, we are now moving into the "new society".

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*** Curmudgeon alert *****

I believe it is improving minutely - positive changes that are not apparent to the naked eye yet. But you are so right, this depression will change the way we do things just as the others have changed the way people did things in the 30's.

We have a society now that is much more educated than in the 30's. We have the internet and such improved information exchange which is a GIGANTIC change to the 30's. I just read something that if Reagan were president today, the Tea Partiers would say he is a RINO. We have a society that is more diverse than ever before. We have a black man from Hawaii that is president. We have the two oldest, and powerful senators from Hawaii also that are not white. That changes Hawaii's perception to the rest of the US. We are in the news not just for Pearl Harbor or a vacation during the snow season.

A change from the 30's to now is that people took whatever job they could find then. I see jobs all the time go unfilled. Maybe they are not the $100K a year jobs. But seriously, $10-16/hr jobs that yes could help feed a family if as Jay says nothing unforeseen happens. It's easier to make $200 in front of Safeway. So you work and do small things until the bigger thing comes along. But also we need to keep well paying jobs here so there is the opportunity of bigger jobs. (Like Hawaiian Airlines moving much of their customer service to the Philippines???? Whats up with that??)

I believe part of the issue is people have forgotten what hard work is. Our parents and grandparents weren't afraid to get their hands dirty and work hard, or plant the victory gardens. Isn't that what the sustainability is all about now? Plant your own garden, buy local? Recycle, reuse. We know personally a group of twenty somethings that are unemployed that think they should be the CEO of some organic, green, low carbon footprint company at a salary of $100K or more with no experience and cant even balance a checkbook but yet have brand new I-Phone. Seriously, we have raised a bunch of people who think they are entitled to being provided for. In some ways this will be a blessing as the 0-16 yr olds will see a different world. I see this group being much more like my parents who were born in the depression of the 30's. I see more fiscal responsibility. My 13 yr old nephew is saving for his first house. (Okay he is saving money grandma sends him for his B-day but still it is a outlook that the very youngest generation has that is different from the 2 generations above them.)

I do see the people who are in need getting help from their friends and neighbors. Look at how Pam Lamont watches out for families all the time? Pam isnt alone - I could name a dozen Puna Webbers who out of the kindness of their heart have help families in need.

Okay so back to the homeless at Safeway. What a great place to get money as people walk in feeling guilty because they can shop and this guy cant. I think it would be great to bring them out some veggies, a box of pasta, a loaf of french bread, and some pasta sauce and say I cant do much but here is one dinner. Wonder what would happen? I have a feeling I would be better off to give them Food Bank's #/address and drop off one dinner there.