Well today I experienced how bad our economy is. First, while my daughter had her first ballet class, we went to the shoe store next door. There were only a few people in there when we walked in, but by the time we left, it was packed. After the class, we went to Home Depot, to get the wood for our vegetable boxes. When we purchased our wood, there was a mild crowd, but to get the wood in the van, I had to take out all of the seats. So we paid for the wood and went home, and when I returned (minus the seats) to Home Depot all chaos had broken loose at the shopping center. It probably took 15 minutes to navigate through the shopping center to get to Home Depot. This time around, HD was really packed as well. In addition to the wood, I also needed to get a wheel barrow and I didn't like the prices at HD, so I went to Costco for the WB. The price was better, but I think I needed a train, a bus and a cab to get from my parking spot to the store. Once I finally had my wheel barrow, It was about 30 minutes in line. Now you'll say that I'm exaggerating, and you'd be right. But I'm not exaggerating very much. The shopping center with HD and Costco were packed. Business was booming today for whatever reason.
Now I understand we are undergoing an economic slowdown, but to call this "The Worst Economy since the Great Depression" is sensationalism. Drive-by media, please calm down and get a grip upon yourselves and stop trying to create a sense of panic. Fortunately though, on this day in Austin, TX, the economy was rip-roaring.
9 comments:
It fits their (MSM) agenda to push the "worst economy in modern history" line. Then, when we pull outta this recession they can claim it was because of "the one". Plus, they DO like the ol sensationalism. But what you said is true. Most places I frequent (HEB, Costco, Walmart, Hooters..:) ) seem to be doin pretty well.
We went to Freebirds after church today and saw this sticker on the wall: "Keep San Antonio Lame". I was cracking up. Plus the 'A' in Lame was an Alamo. Too funny.
Well, the sensationalism certainly isn't helping things, but it's hard to say how much of what they're saying is exaggerated. When your friends are losing their jobs, your company's losing money, the banks aren't lending, and stores are closing, it doesn't feel that far fetched.
I had an interestn convo concernin what the Great Depression was really like w/ my grandma while travelin w/ her today. She lived it, btw.
Kids who were old enough to work would go live in CC camps and preform public works jobs. This provided them w/ 3 squares a day and a bed. they were also able to send a few (literal) dollars home a month. There was a list at the grocery store w/ your name on it which showed what you were allotted to buy each month. EVERY home had a garden which took up whatever ground was available. Every month they were allowed so many of these round bread like things w/ a hole in the middle (can't remember what she called em) which tasted like stale crackers. These were a mainstay. No food was left uneatn. Every kid got a toy at Christmas, but never any other time durin the year.
There's more if you're interested.
My point is, yes, these are hard times (to a point) but back then there were no food stamps, no unemployment pay, no SS, no nothin; except whatever you could scrounge. People were POOR. They went w/out the basics that few go w/out today.
This is a recession that is obviously effectin different parts of this nation differently.
We'll pull out of it. we're Americans.
Nestor -
> Business was booming today for whatever reason.
It's the optimism of the fact that President Obama is now our President, IMHO.
Just think how bad things would be if it were McCain't(tm)/PAlien(tm) in charge of things.
And Linda, I'm with you on this. There are still WAY too many unemployed, even here in Texas.
FOR instance, I spent hours today searching closing Circuit Citys for a deal on a color laser printer.
They're closing I guess around 12 stores here (within 50 miles of me), which will leave hundreds unemployed around here.
We've had car dealerships go down (like first Lawrence Marshall in Houston almost across I610 from the LAstrodome), then the base Lawrence Marshall (in Hempstead), come to think of it, Bill Heard was first (this was Tom's DeLayed resignation) ...
Stores are closing all over Houston. Don't think for a second that Texas is immune, yous guys/gal.
Stan,
No sane person is saying that Texas is immune. Here in Austin, there have been layoffs at Dell and Samsung, I think Freescale and probably some other large companies. But the fact is, in Austin there is still construction, there are still people hiring. MOST of the people I know that have lost jobs, have been able to find jobs fairly quickly, some have had harder times, but for the most part people who have been losing their jobs have been able to get other jobs.
I think Linda probably has a perspective a little more unique than ours, because the economy in Michigan is worse than in Texas. But from past conversations it seems like Michigan isn't even as bad as it's made out to be. But maybe that's changed over the past few months.
Reck,
Thanks for giving some insight into the GD from your Grandma. My mom's parents died when I was pretty young, so I didn't get to ask them questions like: "What was the Great Depression like?" "What was WWII like?" My wife wishes she could ask her grandfather what it was like living under Trujillo as someone who was in the anti-Trujillo movement. As the older generation passes, their knowledge and experiences go with them. It's important to 'tap into' these vital resources and get their perspective, before it's lost forever. One problem with Obama's cabinet and advisors is that they are so young they don't have a varied life experience.
He reminds me of King Rehoboam, Solomon's son, who rejected the advice of the elders of Israel and took the advice of his young friends. That choice led to the division of Israel and Judah.
It concerns me where Obama is getting his advice from. Does he have advisors that tell him the truth whether he wants to hear it or not, or do his advisors 'tell him what his itching ears want to hear'.
Stan,
The Market has dropped 1200 pts since "the one" took off. 500+ since the "so-called" *STIMULUS".
Like CD-Ruam Emmanuel said, they're not gonna waste this opportunity to increase govt spendin & power grappin.
So far, Obama has done poorly, imo.
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