Is it the Economy Stupid?!

Mike forwarded this article:
"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across
some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true, given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed, and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence, 2/3's of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What are we so unhappy about?'' Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time, and
see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic
Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all, and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.

Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias
raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the President who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The President who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same President who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The President that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession?

Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?

The Commander-InChief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it...are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have
volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds, it leads; and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations.

They offer what sells and, when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about "how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way"...Insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth, and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.

With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding,
severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"

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--Jason Replied--
I gotta say, I find it insulting when someone doing comfortable has the chutzpah to complain about people not happy about their financial situation. The reason is real real simple: Most lower and middle class people are doing worse than they were a year ago. And a year ago, they were doing worse than a year prior to that.

Yes, America is better off than people in Bornio and Darfur, but that is because we live in the most powerful and richest nation in the history of the earth and not a war-torn third world country. That's why Americans are proud of being American. That does not mean however, that they should be happy if they as an individual or as a family are struggling more than they were before.

What if you are one of 47 million Americans without medical insurance -including almost 12 million of which are middle-class, and you find out that you or a family member has lymphoma requiring tens of thousands of dollars of medical costs.

Or if you are a grandmother in Wisconsin that is among 40% of Americans hoping against hope that you saved enough all summer to afford the heating bill because it is 10 times what it was 8 years ago.

Or you are a student that had the amount of your grants cut by 20% while tuition has gone up 40% in seven years.

Or if you are one of a growing number of disgruntled military mothers and wives that have seen tours extended twice and returning back to Iraq for an unprecedented third time.

Or possibly you are one of thousands laid off and had to train your replacement in India or China who is paid 70% less, as your job moves overseas.

Or maybe you worked your life for an airlines and had your pension disappear, so you had to work long beyond the age of 65 to compensate.

Or maybe you are one of millions of Americans who have seen their wages stay flat for the past seven years while hearing about how the average CEO makes an of average 30 times more than you.

Or possibly, you are one of 66% of conservatives who are upset at Bush leaving conservative values, creating the largest governmental agency in history and creating a trillion dollar deficit.

Or maybe you are Jason, and you want to attract good talent to your small company but recruits want health insurance, and you can't afford to offer it because the rates are absolutely criminal.

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--Mike wrote:--
Just about any person living in a third world country and better would gladly trade places with the problems we face in this country. Again, perspective is the key to a good reality check.

- It's not a true statement to say that most lower and middle class people are doing worse than they were a year ago or a year before that. That contradicts the current employment and wage statistics I've read or experienced.

- I heard the statistics on those without medical insurance recently and the greatest percentage of those were in the late teen to college age and the reason they did not have the insurance was because they had left home and were starting out on their own and were either in college and not working yet or felt no need for insurance yet and didn't want to pay into a program. The other portion of the percentage without insurance were unemployed and had been unemployed for long periods of time, suggesting more of an issue with the person, rather than the system. The majority of those employed have medical coverage.

- I'll bet there are millions of people around the world that would give anything to have a heating bill... if only they could have heat in the winter.

- I'll bet there are millions of people around the world who would love an opportunity at an American education no matter what the cost. And in this country legal citizens can still qualify for grants and loans. I'm not sure what switching to the democratic party will do for lower the costs of education. Maybe they can talk the teachers into taking a pay cut since the majority of our professors are left wing liberals.

- For every 1 disgruntled military mother or wife, I'll bet there are 10-20 proud ones. Not a fact of course... but I've just known too many military families in my life and those you are referring to are very few indeed.

- Jobs have been moving oversees for years. This is not something that was different during the Carter or Clinton administrations. Not sure who you're pointing the finger at here but I guarantee you, Hillary or any of her clan won't change that stat.

- My Father in law lost his pension after working 40 years as an engineer for a mine in Idaho. Luckily he had saved and invested over the years and was able to live comfortably up to his 82 year when he passed away. George Bush tried DESPERATELY to over haul our social security system, because of his fear that it will not last much longer the way it is. It was the DEMOCRATS that stone walled any and all attempts he made to where there was no point anymore in trying. THEY don't believe there's enough of a problem... They're too busy worrying about global warming because back in the 70's when they were warning us about the next ice age due to the same reasons, they finally realized they were wrong. So now it's global warming until 10 years from now when it will be something else...

- Again with the wages staying flat thing... I've read nothing but the opposite and don't know a living sole who makes the same pay for the same job that they did 7 years ago. The average CEO might make much more... but that's also because the economy has grown over the past 7 years.

- We went to war to fight terrorism after years of idly lobby a bomb here and there at would be terrorists around the world. When 3000 Americans were killed on our own soil we went looking for the perpetrators and those who support the same. War/FREEDOM costs MONEY. Over the past 7 years America has had to call on the National government for billions of dollars due to natural disasters unlike any we've ever seen. America has sent billions more to other countries experiencing the same this past 7 years, like that great Tsunami.

This administration inherited a recession which we have strongly rebounded from and it takes money to begin making money again. We've encountered corporate corruption from CEO's of large organizations that at any other time in history would have sent fear through the stock markets and lead to recession or worse but our market dipped only slightly then rebounded again strong.

- 66% of Americans aren't upset with Bush for leaving conservative values! That's hilarious. If anything, they've been so overwhelmed with 7 years of the constant, steady, barrage of hate mongering, left wing, propaganda spouting liberals that they're week, tired of defending and just want it all to stop one way or another. They've been influenced by our left wing media more than anything. No one will ever agree 100% with any president... but what the left has done to President Bush for 7 strait years is deplorable, despicable and sickening.

- Ah, and now we look at the challenges of a start up company. Thank God we are in America where we have that opportunity. Now think of how much it costs a large company to cover their thousands of employees with medical insurance. Then ask your self if you still think they should carry the majority of our tax burdens. How long do you think they would be able to pay the wages, offer raises and incentives, cover medical for the employees and their families AND pick up an even greater portion of the tax load in the country before they start having to lay people off or go under. That is a quick recipe to a recession. Now you see as an individual company owner how desperately you need to hang on to more of your own hard earned money. Make your own decisions on what medical program you want to join once your company grows enough to afford it.

All start ups face the same challenges. That didn't stop Bill Gates or countless others. A National health care system still costs money... and a LOT of it. It doesn't just happen. You will pay for it one way or another. In Canada they pay 15% sales tax. That comes off your pay check and then you pay it again every time you buy so much as a loaf of bread. They also have what is known as the "SIN" taxes where they pay far more for a case of beer or a carton of cigarettes then an American does because 2 thirds of the cost is a tax. There are greater property taxes, gas taxes, oil and heating taxes... Their national health care system costs them dearly. The other thing no one here talks about with regard to health care is that in order for it to work, you have to regulate the doctors income. Canada was educating and training thousands of good Doctors who were graduating and leaving the country to come here where they could make a better wage. In Canada because of the health care system they were only allowed to bill what the government told them they could. That's socialism which in my opinion is just a step away from communism... certainly not a step in the direction of Freedom.

I love this country... as imperfect as it may be. I'm hear for the long haul and I want what's best for us all as well... but I see the damage being done by constantly pointing out the negatives and not recognizing the positives. I am proud to be an American because we are a people who have struggled and overcome countless times. We are hard working and until the past 10-20 years, the word UNITED meant something to us. Well it still does and the left liberal party had better wake up and see the damage it's constant attacks on America is destroying not only our country its self but adding to the negative perspective around the world.

"God open their eyes to see, I pray!"

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--Jason Replied:--
Sorry to do this to you, but you are getting a little too persnippity for me not to barrage you with references again!

In 2006, nearly 30% of Americans ages 65 to 69 belonged to the workforce, up from 18% in 1985, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

Roughly 80% of the workforce in non-managerial occupations rose 3.3% in the 2000s. Due to the weak performance of hours per week, however, weekly earnings grew about half that fast. Here again, real growth decelerated and disappeared after 2003, up only 0.2% since then.

http://www.americanprogress.org/kf/middleclasssqueeze.pdf

Six of 10 conservatives say America is headed in the wrong direction

in 2005 the average compensation for a CEO totaled $10, 982, 000, compared to $41, 861 for the average worker.

US Comptroller says Medicare problem is five times greater than the Social Security problem

Bush cuts Pell Grants

Average family policy cost $12, 106, a 78 percent increase since 2001.


Policy Debate: Unless policymakers get out ahead of the offshoring debate, they will find themselves reacting to a host of band-aid proposals that do more harm than good.


Americans with moderate to middle incomes who lacked health insurance for at least part of the year rose to 41% in 2005, a dramatic increase from the 28%t in 2001

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--Mike Replied--
No time for that stuff Jason... If you think it's beneficial to look at the negative perspective on every American related issue and that you truly believe you are HELPING not HURTING our country... you go for it bro... Prove me wrong. I stand by everything I've said. The negative, liberal rants are self centered, self motivated and the vary thing that is destroying the UNITED portion of the United State.

No link you will ever send me will change that. I know I could send you just as many links and more to say the opposite of your view and perspective. So where does that leave us?

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--Jason Replied--
I have to disagree. If you look at each one of these issues I've raised, they are all core issues that are effecting the middle-class; retirement, education, healthcare, wages.

If we aren't shouting from the mountain top middle-class issues that need to be addressed, then who will? I see it as our American duty to keep our representatives focusing on OUR NEEDS and not on those that pay for their campaign.

If that isn't American, I don't know what is.

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--Mike Replied--
Ok, so why in the past 6 years did these issues become emergencies all at the same time? The Dems had the office for 8 years before Bush... I didn't hear the Dems trashing Clinton for these same issues... Why didn't he fix retirement issues? Why didn't he lower the cost of education? Why didn't he do something about the wages instead of leading the country into a recession which cost me and about 300 Eddie Bauer associates our jobs, not to mention thousands more. Why didn't he stop jobs from going over seas? Why didn't he do something to stop 9/11 from happening, that was planned during his last 5 years in office? Why didn't he deal with illegal aliens? Why didn't he deal with the border issues? Why didn't he do something about global warming? (Or the coming ice age... which ever natural disaster the far left were wailing about back then.)

It will be interesting to see if a Dem is elected in '08 if all these issues are addressed... and if not... I wonder how loud that Left voice will still be and if the finger pointing, labeling, accusations and complaining will continue.

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--Jason Replied--

Aha! Herein lies the problem! You think there's some kind of Democrats versus Republicans and one is right while the other is always wrong. My personal belief is that Democrats AND Republicans are simply finger puppets operated by the same hand. They spin things in the language we want to hear based on our liberal or conservative inclination and then do what the corporations tell them what to do. Mind you, I think there are noble souls that roam the halls of government, but not too many of them.

That said, let's set things a little more straight. Clinton taxed the top few percent to pay down the deficit (at the time, record-sized) that Bush Sr. built up. Greenspan (a conservative Republican mind you) talked about it in his book, how he had a sit down with Clinton on his first days and told him the imperative of paying down the deficit. Almost any economist will tell you that we enjoyed the longest period in history of market, wage, savings and job growth during those years and that the recession was not caused by taxing the rich, but by inflated speculation of the market (the .com bubble). Keep in mind, Bush Jr.'s budgets have spent DOUBLE what Clinton had spent - and that doesn't include the military!

Eddie Bauer lost those jobs not because of the American economy, but because of gross mismanagement by the new owners, Spiegel. Anybody who went through it at Eddie Bauer would agree that the blame lies there. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pwwi/is_200301/ai_mark02050595

And to clarify on a few other things; Gore made it part of his 2000 campaign to put the surplus into Social Security to shore it up (remember the whole "Lock Box" nonsense?).

Clinton and Gore signed the Kyoto agreement and came back to Washington with a pledge from Gingrich that it would never be ratified and would be fought to the final hours of their administration. They also pushed through new SUV emission standards which was quickly overturned once the 2000 Republican congress came in.

Clinton did three missile strikes into Afghanistan trying to take out Al Qaeda and his opponents called it "Wagging the Dog" to get the focus off of the Lewinski scandal. The furor put a stop to any further military engagements.

So, to answer your questions, he tried. Maybe ineptly or maybe not with enough gumption behind it or maybe he did all he could. My point is, I think the whole lot of em for the most part suck.