Swan Song For America?

[MSbklawyer]

Hard to believe this is America circa 2009-2010.

It's also hard to believe they're razing houses -- Any houses-- while simultaneously spending billions to "end homelessness".

[backtoschool]

BTS,

I hope your point is closer to the mark than mine. Hard to believe we could look at your scenario as being optimistic. So many things are hard to believe.

You're right. Entire neighborhoods being razed. That will help the market in the long term, if enough are taken down. Lots of new green space in cities, if it is managed well.

I agree with your statement about a "diminished standard of living". I think the real question is HOW diminished? Again, hard to believe this is not only an accepted idea, but many people are coming to grips with it. Hard to believe this is America circa 2009-2010.

Yes, the "American Dream" as our grandparents and parents lived it is over. I see our status much like Great Britain after WWII. We are a former imperialistic power that is in decline and is now just one of many industrialized nations. The only difference is that Britain achieved their imperialism with their military, and we achieved ours with our business development, economic handouts and political influence.

But, in looking at Britain, or any other Western Europe country, there is stagnation, but not total collapse. There will still be opportunities, they will just be much smaller and with much less upside potential.

[sisterfunkhaus]

I think this country has been built on a house of cards, and now we need to build it on something real. We need to be happy with less, go back to affordable smaller houses, and build the economy on something real, even if it means we have a significantly more modest and stable economy because of it. At one point America was built on standards with pride, workmanship, family, and service to others being important. The local grocer knew your name and acknowledged you when you came in the door.

I agree with most of what you say. I think it was very well thought out. If it meant everything being built on a rock instead of sand, I would be okay with us not being a super power and just living within our means, demanding quality, and being okay with less.

[JEM]

At that point, I hope you have a plan for your family. Maybe a garden, some chickens, something to stave off the desperation. I know, I know. It sounded ridiculous to me, too. Right up until I found myself in this situation, and decided to learn a little about our country, and economics. The American Ponzi Scheme is about to fall.

My outlook is different now too. And I've started "preparing" for rough times ahead. I'm working on my gardening skills, and have started stocking up on canned and "storable" foods. My husband knows a guy from work that's going to get us a whole pig for super cheap. We also have other "survival" items (guns, ammo etc...), and my husband knows how to hunt.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist but....aww, who am I kidding, I kind of AM a conspiracy theorist.

[OhioFiler]

DMC....I understand your frustration and you were certainly robbed of a brilliant career and lifestyle. That said, however, I can't disagree more strongly.

We live in the greatest country this world has ever known. This country and its citizens have invented more and produced more than the remainder of the world combined in our young 200 year existence. We are today, the lone superpower. The world depends on us and will continue to do so as long as we continue as the freest nation on earth.

We will survive the current mess. I refuse to look at the current situation as anything more than a small setback. I continue to remain positive about the future of our country in spite of what the clowns in Washington DC are attempting to do. The American people will once again rise to the challenge.

[JEM]

DMC....I understand your frustration and you were certainly robbed of a brilliant career and lifestyle. That said, however, I can't disagree more strongly.

We live in the greatest country this world has ever known. This country and its citizens have invented more and produced more than the remainder of the world combined in our young 200 year existence. We are today, the lone superpower. The world depends on us and will continue to do so as long as we continue as the freest nation on earth.

We will survive the current mess. I refuse to look at the current situation as anything more than a small setback. I continue to remain positive about the future of our country in spite of what the clowns in Washington DC are attempting to do. The American people will once again rise to the challenge.

I agree with this too. I love my country and thank god everyday for those that fight to defend it.

I guess that's why it makes me sad that our country is almost becoming unrecognizable.

But that's me on my soapbox.

[DeadManCrawling]

OhioFiler,

You are right . . . I hope.

It all depends on who is really in power? The people? Wall Street? Washington?

In a truly "American" society, it would be the people. Unfortunately, most of the people I know are too busy trying to survive to give much thought to politics. Wall Street is a phrase heard a couple times a day, and represents a behemoth of money and power that they cannot fathom.

Same with D.C.

No question we are the world's innovators, biggest superpower, and leading scientific nation. My question is really this:

How long can we REMAIN in that position, with our economy falling to dust? We can borrow for a while longer, from China, Middle East, India. But after a while, a short while, it will become unsustainable.

Then, all bets are off.

Indeed, I guess I was "robbed" of a lifestyle and career that not many could understand, but on this end of things, I am actually grateful. The stress relief is worth it, and so is time with my family.

I've traded down from a peak of 500-700k per year to a comfy 70-100k per year. Nothing to complain about in most people's eyes. I would not have said so five years ago, but five years ago my priorities were so screwed up I would not recognize myself today. A very large blessing. I know this is true by simply looking at my son, and the new respect in his eyes, when we do things together. Things that I NEVER would have made time for, in my orgy of pursuing cash and the "American Dream".

How about everyone else? New priorities? New life? I hope so, in a good way.



Best,

-dmc

[justbroke]

It's also hard to believe they're razing houses -- Any houses-- while simultaneously spending billions to "end homelessness".

My favorite was a State Lottery Site that, of course, promotes gambling (scratch-offs, lottery, bingo, etc). Then, the same State, on a different part of their State website... have a strong anti-gambling message.

Go figure!

[backtoschool]

OhioFiler,

You are right . . . I hope.

It all depends on who is really in power? The people? Wall Street? Washington?

In a truly "American" society, it would be the people. Unfortunately, most of the people I know are too busy trying to survive to give much thought to politics. Wall Street is a phrase heard a couple times a day, and represents a behemoth of money and power that they cannot fathom.

Same with D.C.

No question we are the world's innovators, biggest superpower, and leading scientific nation. My question is really this:

How long can we REMAIN in that position, with our economy falling to dust? We can borrow for a while longer, from China, Middle East, India. But after a while, a short while, it will become unsustainable.

Then, all bets are off.

Indeed, I guess I was "robbed" of a lifestyle and career that not many could understand, but on this end of things, I am actually grateful. The stress relief is worth it, and so is time with my family.

I've traded down from a peak of 500-700k per year to a comfy 70-100k per year. Nothing to complain about in most people's eyes. I would not have said so five years ago, but five years ago my priorities were so screwed up I would not recognize myself today. A very large blessing. I know this is true by simply looking at my son, and the new respect in his eyes, when we do things together. Things that I NEVER would have made time for, in my orgy of pursuing cash and the "American Dream".

How about everyone else? New priorities? New life? I hope so, in a good way.



Best,

-dmc

I worked on Wall Street for ten years, and now I am back in school getting a second master's degree to go into the non-profit sector. I want to try to do something meaningful with my life, and to give back.

When I had money, it never made me happy. Ever. None of the things I bought ever made me happy. I never gave any thought to who I really was or what I wanted. I was too busy making money for other people. It was a game to me. The numbers on my spreadsheets and models and computer algorithms were not real to me.

But now, when I tutor someone, or take the time to explain something to a fellow student, or take some time away from school to reacquaint myself with my creative side, I realize what is real, and what is important.

If our country is no longer a super-power it doesn't matter. There is happiness to be found even in a "diminished" standard of living.

[MSbklawyer]

I worked on Wall Street for ten years, and now I am back in school getting a second master's degree to go into the non-profit sector. I want to try to do something meaningful with my life, and to give back.

When I had money, it never made me happy. Ever. None of the things I bought ever made me happy. I never gave any thought to who I really was or what I wanted. I was too busy making money for other people. It was a game to me. The numbers on my spreadsheets and models and computer algorithms were not real to me.

But now, when I tutor someone, or take the time to explain something to a fellow student, or take some time away from school to reacquaint myself with my creative side, I realize what is real, and what is important.

If our country is no longer a super-power it doesn't matter. There is happiness to be found even in a "diminished" standard of living.

Is this not the most AMAZING person in the whole world? I am sure that I am embarassing her by saying that in front of everybody --but she'll get over it.

[DeadManCrawling]

Is this not the most AMAZING person in the whole world? I am sure that I am embarassing her by saying that in front of everybody --but she'll get over it.

MSBKLawyer,

I agree. It is folks like this who COULD pull us back from the edge. I feel the same type of sentiment when dealing with my son and others. I have a young man, Bob, age 18, who is helping us renovate our new, in line with reality, home. He is doing so at no cost to us, other than cigarettes and sandwiches. The man has spent 60 hours a week working with us to make the place not just habitable, but incredibly beautiful. Maybe i will post photos, or links. Not to brag, but to show a diamond facet of the potential positive that can come from the fire.

So, what is Bob's benefit, you might, rightfully ask?

He says this: He has an opportunity to learn skills he would never have been exposed to. He likes the company of us, his elders. He is learning opposiong point of view on numerous things, from politics, to economics, to construction techniques.'

He is working hand in hand with us, my son, my wife, and a dozen other volunteers. These are folks in our circle of friends who ALL know our exact situation, and have offered their time and skills to help.

THIS is the side of AMERICA that couold march past this current crisis and emerge victorius. However, it must be widespread to succeed.

More importantly, it must have some support and initiative from D.C, politics, and business.

I don't know if that is all workable.

If it is, we may yet see a renaissance of the "American Spirit", and a social revolution that could add up to a total remake of our country without a shot fired, and without total failure on a global scale.

BackToSchool is another facet of a phenomenon that I hope becomes the "norm", once again for our people. That is, not ALWAYS putting yourself first.

Indeed, this post from BTS, may be the message the rest of our nation needs to survive. It is, in itself, a little thing. But magnified and spred nationally, could be the answer.

I have little hope for the message impacting on the upper class, though.

In any case, I congrat BTS and admire HER attitude.

[backtoschool]

In any case, I congrat BTS and admire his attitude.

Thanks DMC! I am a woman by the way..... And I agree that we have to change our values on a large scale in order for this country to have a true renaissance.

[MSbklawyer]

In any case, I congrat BTS and admire his attitude.

Me too. I would nominate him for the office of President. Judging from his avatar, he's not bad looking either.

[DeadManCrawling]

Duly noted, and post edited. My apologies, but the message is the same.


You are an inspiration.

[MSbklawyer]

I am a woman by the way.....

No way!!!