Depression? Is it coming?

[lengel]

I think that we need to ask what the domino effect will be even if we, as individuals, are able to provide for ourselves. What about the millions who have no land at all, live in apartment complexes and rely on their companies to hold it together and continue employing them?

If nothing else, we're going to wind up with a whole lot of people on unemployment or welfare, simply because they can't find a job. It won't matter what they used to spend their money on or what kind of debt they're in. There will still be a tremendous number of people who can't buy food because they don't have a job - then what?

We need to pull together as a huge community, starting now.

 

[consdrs]

When I first started reading this thread I was shocked! and somewhat nervous. DEPRESSION??? are you kidding me!! we are in a depression??!?! Do most of you know even know how bad it was then?

1) One out of every four Americans who wanted to work were unable to find a job.
2) On October 29, 1929, the Wall Street Stock Market crashed, 16 million shares were traded that day at a fraction of their value.
3) 100,000 American companies were forced to close.
4) A fifth of all banks in America were forced to close, some people lost everything.
5) Besides stocks and money, the Dust Bowl had an additional impact on people’s lives during the Great Depression.
6) People were so poor that they could not pay rent, forcing them to leave their homes and live in shantytowns called “Hoovervilles” with other poor people.
7) soup/ bread lines
on top of all this misery there were no safety nets. older Americans were sifting through garbage cans to eat.

Depression?!!? give me a break.

Ya can't fill your SUV for less than a hundred bucks and the mortgage on your McMansion has gone up because you threw the dice a couple years ago and took out a low interest adjustable loan on a house you couldn't afford.

You go ahead and have your depression... I'm not going to participate, you are gonna have to have one with out me...

 

[Solace]

We aren't in a depression or a recession YET, but seriously people think about this...

“We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times … and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK,” Obama

I am absolutely not trying to sway someone from voting one way or another. Personally this time around I feel the US is in deep deep trouble no matter who wins. But honestly think about that statement. Is this guy really going to represent you or is he going to make you adjust to conform to the rest of the worlds standards. Do you honestly think Russia, China will follow suit? Don't kid yourself.

One country has already enacted a 'fee/tax' on farmers per cow to account for the damage done in the name of 'man made global warming' from burping/flatulence. Another country is preparing to vote on it. I'm sure the US won't be far behind.

In some parts of Californa a new charge/fee/tax to aid in the fight against 'man made global warming' is being put into place. If memory serves me it's around $90.00 per year. Can't remember if it's per person or household. Another area is considering imposing a .25 cent fee per plastic bag used because they are a menace. Ok if they stop using plastic to lower costs I guess they'll go back to paper... oh wait they'll say that can't happen because we can't cut the trees down because of 'man made global warming' soo suck that .25 cent fee per bag right up.

That's just the tip of the iceberg.

Do I believe climate change is real? YUP! It's been happening since this hunk of dirt started spinning. Do I think we as a planet can do better? YUP! I think we can and should. Do I think this 'man made global warming' thing is about power/money/control.... you bet!

 

[OHMYCHICKIES]

Depression got to start somewhere, it just doesn't turn into this in one day

1) One out of every four Americans who wanted to work were unable to find a job.
2) On October 29, 1929, the Wall Street Stock Market crashed, 16 million shares were traded that day at a fraction of their value.
3) 100,000 American companies were forced to close.
4) A fifth of all banks in America were forced to close, some people lost everything.
5) Besides stocks and money, the Dust Bowl had an additional impact on people’s lives during the Great Depression.
6) People were so poor that they could not pay rent, forcing them to leave their homes and live in shantytowns called “Hoovervilles” with other poor people.
7) soup/ bread lines
on top of all this misery there were no safety nets. older Americans were sifting through garbage cans to eat.

Ask anyone who was in the depression back then and ask them what they think is happening now. We live in an area where their are alot of retired older people that lived through the depression and they see it now, it will be alot worse. Not coming from me but from people who have been there.​

 

[lewisfarmgurl]

Quote:
I agree !! That is why we are trying to get back to the farm up bringing I had. I want to be able to help not just my DH and children but we hope to help the elderly in our neck of the woods or any other family with food we raise and grow. I've gone back and started canning and freezing food plus I'm looking into making our own soap for bathing, washing clothes, and since I can't afford a cow if I can find someone with milking cows I'd like to make our own butter and cheese.

My grandmother did it growing up and we always had beens , bread, or something else to give a neighbor in need. I think we all should try to be a example to others and maybe help make a difference in the world , even if it is a small difference.

 

[yotetrapper]

<<I want to be able to help not just my DH and children but we hope to help the elderly in our neck of the woods or any other family with food we raise and grow>>

If it gets anywhere near as bad as it could it wont be near so simple as that. Take for example, Katrina. People wont be knocking on your door asking to spare a slice of bread as they would of during the 30s depression.... oh no, dont be fooled. They will be sneaking into your gardens and barns at 3am to ROB you of them. If things get really truly desperate, the only way a homesteader will survive is by posting an armed guard 24/7.

And since we're quoting Obama.....

"Americans turn to guns and religion because they are bitter."

 

[lewisfarmgurl]

Quote:
I can't say it will never happen, but I'd like to keep my hopes up that it wont come to that in the end.

 

[PurpleChicken]

I heard that if Obama gets elected he is going to stop global warming, bring peace
to the Middle East, get all our jobs back from China and Mexico, and create a space
laser to blast the meteor that's gonna smash the Earth in 2469.

He's got my vote.

 

[silkiechicken]

My grandpa was 9 when that stock market hit bottom. Born in 1920, he grew up in the Great Depression. His stance before he died not too long ago was, work hard for yourself and adjust accordingly. Stop your complaining (he had a different word) and get to work. I'd ask him more, but he's not here anymore.

My dad was born in 1942, and although hes concerned about the economy, he was taught to just keep on working and doing your best regardless of what you think you deserve. He says that things will get worse, and to get out of it, a new war is bound to happen somewhere. He pointed out that WWII ended the first depression, and that the first Iraq war "ended" the looming depression in the 80's.

Yet, hes still optimistic that it will pass. Perhaps, we are just a family of optimists who will just keep on working.

 

[bluey]

It never ceases to amaze me about how many people believe that the price of oil is dictated by "evil" oil companies. Nobody complained about the oil companies when a barrel of oil was $18.

The simple fact of the matter is supply and demand. There was a time that the US and Europe were the main importers of oil in the world. Now, India, China and third world countries are seeing an explosion of residents with cars as the quality of life improves in those places. They deserve to own cars just like us Americans, no?

The problem lies in the fact that China and India have a BILLION plus citizens each with a growing energy demand much like one we experienced in the US through the 50's until now. As time goes on, the crude demand will only increase, thereby sending prices north as well.

If you prescribe to the "peak oil theory" as some experts do (that we have reached the tipping point where underground oil is a finite commodity and we are past the point of being able to increase production), the issue becomes more acute.

So blaming oil companies, the US governments wars, the arabs etc... is silly. As demand skyrockets with each passing year, prices will continue upward unless somehow supply can be substantially increased. The only answer is to find an alternative.

And that doesn't happen until the pain becomes too great to bear and the economics are overwhelmingly in favor of commodity replacement (hydrogen, electricity, solar, nuclear, etc.... Hopefully, we'll get there sooner than later. But in the meantime, other countries have been paying $4 for a gallon of gas for many years. This was bound to happen sooner or later.

If we still heated our houses with wood, the US probably would have seen its last tree 60+ years ago. Until we transition to a new form of energy, the pain will continue ONLY due to the increased demand, NOT some great Satan!

It is what it is, just simple math. As far as other economic issues in the US, there is a normal up and down business cycle. Unfortunately, Americans and the government are unwilling and refusing to allow our economy to experience the downside by tampering with the rules of the game. The Fed refuses to allow the economy to cool and now is in dangerous waters printing money like mad and bailing out banks instead of letting the ones making crazy bets to fail. Americans and our government continues to spend and spend with no thought of the future.

Ten years ago the US made a real push to get Americans into their own homes. It was a noble idea. The banks were more than happy to comply to this edict. So happy, in fact that they lost all sense of fiscal restraint. As the demand for homes reached a fever pitch, of course the price of homes crazily followed. As the home prices went nuts, many buying them simply really couldn't afford them. This didn't bother them, nor the banks (nor the federal government for that matter. Everyone was living the American dream and their homes were actually even becoming nest eggs!!!!

Until the business cycle turns and demand dries up. Baby boomers looking to sell their homes and cash in on nest eggs. People flipping homes like some mad game of musical chairs. And this is where it ends. The banks are in shambles and the government is trying it's best to diffuse a bomb.

The longer they delay the inevitable, the worse it will finally be. It's time to pay the piper. Tighten our belts and weather the down cycle. It doesn't have to be a depression, but it will be if we keep delaying it. And it doesn't matter whether the politicians are republican or democrats. Both parties are doing their damndest to muck this thing up. even though I am a conservative Republican it makes me mad to see BOTH parties use us against each other to push their own broken agendas. They promise the sun and the moon and deliver usually nothing good.

Sorry this was so long. This stuff is my life now.