Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Head In The Sand
Oh Where Oh Where Have They Been? I keep reading that we are going into a recession. Well DUH!! This started long ago.. This is not a well written piece I am writing to be sure, just tapping on my feelings surrounding this. Five years ago, I could afford my medications, my groceries, gas, and a few items like underware. Two years ago, I was starting to have to pick. Do I buy groceries or eat beans? Which Medications shall I get this month? Now this year most of my medications are still sitting at the pharmacy. Last night I ran out of the last of my rice and am afraid to see how much rice has gone up to. Two years ago Angelfood was $25.00 for groceries, and now it is $30.00. That is more than a one or two percent increase.
The media is beginning to call this a recession, but none dare call it a depression. Out here, boats, cars, trucks, and vans are parked along side peoples properties with for sale signs on them. Droves of homes have for sale signs on them with no buyers in sight.
The government allowed the outsourcing of our service jobs and China has taken away our manufacturing jobs. So what is left? Have you gone to Walmart? Even checkers positions are being replaced with automated checkout. Factories are using robotics in place of fork lifts in warehouses...
One might say become a computer whiz.. But these jobs are now being outsourced to India. So what is left?
I, for the first time, am getting ready to buy chickens, quail, and rabbit to raise for the purpose of filling my freezer. Rather than grow plants for beauty I am having to grow vegetables for survival. I have a hunch I am not alone in this. Anything I buy now, I purchase in family packs to reduce cost. Even if it means not as large of a variety in food. Additionally I am looking at buying a smaller motorbike or scooter to offset the gas costs.
Assisted Living Apartments are now starting to belly up as are most food programs. Times are getting leaner and leaner.
Seniors and disableds are now viewed as disposable. Programs to maintain their health are being cut out and charges are being added that makes it impossible for them to get the health care they need. Clearly, lifespans will be shorter and will save the government a lot of money. Just look at Katrina and the order people were removed from New Orleans. Seniors and disableds were removed last in the back of U-Haul trucks in three digit heat conditions.
Properties are now upsidedown and people are walking away from them in droves. Only to rent back from landlords who are the elite, such as Haliburton, for an astronomical amount of money monthly.
Yet, this is being viewed as a recession that is just starting rather than a depression that is getting ready to take on a life of its own.
So are we just going into a recession? Or are we leaving the recession and going into a full blown depression?
4 comments:
Well said. Absolutely well said. And I loved your comment this a.m....."China is even after our rice!"
We got our tax "pre-bill" - the value of our house went down - the valuation of our house went up - as did the taxes on the house that is worth thousands less. I'd be laughing if some idiots hadn't just voted in a property tax "cut" here that they didn't bother to research.
Never been in a "recession" where pharmacies couldn't keep enough drugs on shelves to fill prescriptions even if a person could afford them, or the grocery shelves were standing empty or reset to cover the fact that we face less choice.
One economist said we are at the place where the Great Depression sank in.
Jobs? Well I guess we could move to India, China, or Sri Lanka. However, a documentary on education workers in China was rather frightening - abysmal conditions - and even murder for those who wouldn't take it lying down - "forgetting to pay," terrible hours, living conditions.
The politicians did a great job on the "globalism" didn't they? What happened to the glowing "information age" the U.S. was supposed to enjoy when all our industry was moved to other countries with cheap labor and no restrictions?
Hey, ya still out there? As you can tell I am running in deep circles - i.e., getting deeper the more I run them.
How you?
Come on, come on, come out of the sand, its time, its time.......
Ya Think? I have opened it back up and will work on a blog entry.
How ya doin?