How long will this last? - Page 2

GSD why is it the rest of the world's fault because you can't get a good job or start your own company?

Go move to a socialist country like Cuba...

Carlin thanks for the posts, you certainly know whats going on...

The top is well top heavy and it is time we cut that weight down some.

Broad policies are typically more injurious to the middle class than the top 1%. Likely, the reason for that is because the politicians are bought and paid for by these.  Historically, the top isn't threatened by the bottom, but by the middle. An even playing field on the front side is far more fair and effective to all, because it doesn't rely upon someone to come in and determine who should have what on the back end, particularly when those deciding are so few.

Immigrants aren't the problem - never have been and never will be this country was built by illegals as you call them.

The current climate is far different than it had been in the past. We had far more opportunity then, and people such as my own 3 generations back came and worked and served, and were proud of what they had made of that opportunity. The immigrants have not changed, the US has. This may no longer be that same "land of opportunity". With so many people here already out of work, what are the prospects for immigrants? 

BTW - there's a difference between illegal and immigrant.

I have had plenty of good jobs but as soon as a Republican takes office and trashes the economy I get laid off with hundreds of my co-workers and then when things pick up again instead of us all getting called back they hire new people they can pay half the wages to and give half the benefits, I think they call it executive bonuses. So, I start over until the next great Republican takes office and then we do the cycle all over again.

"BTW - there's a difference between illegal and immigrant."

Really? But when you can't immigrate because of policy and you live in a 3rd world country with no hope, America is seen as hope so you get here any way you can. If I lived in lets say Mexico and wanted to come to America I would do what I needed to do to get here no matter what you call it.

If I lived in lets say Mexico and wanted to come to America I would do what I needed to do to get here no matter what you call it.

I might do the same, but that would only make us both wrong, illegal, and deportable.

ROFL.

...and, because we are so very far into the black :

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/03/why-is-the-u-s-sending-1-billion-to-ukraine/

A single mother (or father) with 2 children in Florida will receive $303 a month in TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families otherwise known as welfare) + $497 a month in SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assitance Program otherwise known as food stamps).  Poverty level for a family of 3 is $19,790 yearly.  How many of you can live on $20,590 a month (combining poverty income level with SNAP and TANF providing you are lucky enough to make even poverty level income) with 2 children and pay all your bills such as rent, food, babysitting, clothing, medicine, utilities, diapers if needed, etc?  No parent should have to choose between rent and medicine or physician care for a child.

The following is the link to the information for all states.  Remember the standard of living costs vary by state. 

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=4034

The majority of those single head of household families are single mothers.  The sad fact is the TANF and SNAP benefits have steadily declined since 1996.  Yes there are those few who scam the system, but the vast majority of the poor and working poor want to be able to support themselves and their families.

It truly is tragic, particularly in terms of the percentage of people who are unable to live independent of government subsidy. Safety nets should always be available IMO, because "life happens" That said, I think it is unhealthy for both the individual and for our country to allow ourselves to travel down a path in which a latent effect of our policies finds more and more people reliant upon monies exacted through taxation at best, borrowed from foreign nations at worst, and controlled by bureaucrats seeking even more control. I would much prefer to see the interests of US citizens improved and protected such that the there exists enough opportunity, and to find that said opportunity provides fair and reasonable compensation. By nature, people have a certain desire to be productive and maintain their dignity. When we rob them of the ability to succeed, provide, achieve, and excel, all the while empowering the political elite, we do our country a tremendous disservice.  Conservatives will rail against any sort of market intervention and checks and balances but the truth is, the free-market model has been abused to the point where we now have to borrow to pay our bills. I seriously doubt that the majority of Americans now will elect a president who will write "big money" that kind of blank check, especially when large blocs of the electorate have and are experiencing the negative effects of that kind of exploitation. Our system needs an overhaul, but one which extends opportunity, power, and voice to any and every citizen willing to make something of it. Jobs and industry need to return home with wall street content with a fair profit as opposed to the inflated profits forged by child labor overseas, our working poor cannot be forced to pay more for food raised here due to demand in foreign markets, the middle class must not continue to bear the brunt of the tax burden while the top 1% is sheltered (often clandestinely), and we need to do so without sacrificing the freedom and liberty without which the experiment is simply not worth the trouble.

Has anyone here seen the documentary "The high cost of low prices" ?

^ - Yes, I have in fact. An enormous part of the problem.

http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/lwp/NLC_childlabor.html