Mike - first off - I wish I could tell what the middle class is anymore. I agree with a number of points you have made in the past where I believe you feel the push of the middle class has been downward - and the gap between middle and top is widening.
I was lucky to have grandparents on both sides live into their 90s and 100s and then also parents that shared experiences from the depression. I don't think (from my microscopic knowledge of talking to them) that the safety nets for unemployment, care for the poor, food stamps, etc. etc. were in place when the great depression started. At least for my family the only thing that saved them was family taking care of family - and it was very difficult. Unfortunately - family says call Uncle Sam now - but that is a totally different subject. You and I could probably have some meaningful conversation about that also.
What I will agree to is that the middle is getting squeezed harder and harder - with no end in sight.
Our representation in Washington has to starting meeting in the middle to save the middle.
No shift here - still stand on my opinion that unless we see a shift in the Senate and House - makes no difference who is in the White House - will be more of the same. Not a big fan of either President Obama or Mitt Romney. I don't like Mr. Obama stand on some issues, but Mr. Romney doesn't have an answer either. I only commented because it seems that people on each side point at the other side about the money issue. I don't think either man tells the truth all the time - regardless of how much money they spend.
As for Mute Romney - I don't know the man - I respect Mr. Obama as President and feel each of us should show the same respect for any candidate for this office. Disrespect only lessens our ability to influence others with our views and opinions. Edith I do know of Mr Mitt Romney and he doesn't align with where I stand on many topics either.
Just read where President Obama is emailing all his supporters for more money - he has a real concern that his opponent will out spend him and even as a sitting President recognizes that money talks. He can't stand on his record alone - he has to equal or out spend his opposition.
I don't understand why big business or even medium size business are demons. We as Americans owned a big piece of big business - the two auto makers. Businesses creat jobs - and yes all can say - no they don't they send them overseas - but what about all the jobs they do create here.
People want to say we are in a global economy, but make sure the businesses in America have to provide so much more than the competition in the world. Make sure the businesses in America have to pay substantially more than the competition in the world. Seems to me so many people talk out of both sides of their mouth - big business is a demon - lets make sure we price them out of the global economy.
So what if the owner of a big business makes lots of money - they also pour lots of money into the American economy.
Want to make a difference - buy American if you can find it. Oh yeah - that's right - it won't make any difference because we are in a global economy.
Fact is big business and the people that own them are demons because they have money - worked hard for it - and people want it - so make them demons and take their money. And they will slowly close down what they do have here.
I try to stay in the middle but guess my hot button is when the very people and companies that do generate the private sector jobs become evil to some people - ticks me off.
Another good read - the dream is always in the mind of the beholder. My dad had his own business and sent us kids through school - always saying he wanted us to be better than him. Better? Never! We just worked less and made more money. He was a WW2 vet and he always amazed me when he talked about how he was so lucky coming back from the Pacific - being able to buy army surplus and selling it at a profit - that is where he got his start. He said that he believed that the USA was always the place to live because everyone had opportunities - we/they just needed to go after them. Having lived outside the USA - I have to agree - we have opportunities here that aren't available elsewhere. He took care of the employees in his business - they were family to him. I think what we miss now is that our dream - no matter what it is impacts and touches people other than ourselves - and so many don't care - they don't care if the impact hurts others - just so long as it is good for them.
I do not agree with many of the President"s views. In fact I disagree strongly with some of his positions, but he is but one man and all though he can influence the Senate and House - he cannot take them where they don't want to go. I will continue to write my Senators and congressman and make sure they know what I think they should do to represent me. As for History - only time will tell - and I believe history will be kind to President Obama.
And by the way - why do we jump all over the info that major news media releases as the truth - but it is released under conditions of anonymity - but we want commenters to blogs to be transparent?
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Mike - first off - I wish I could tell what the middle class is anymore. I agree with a number of points you have made in the past where I believe you feel the push of the middle class has been downward - and the gap between middle and top is widening.
I was lucky to have grandparents on both sides live into their 90s and 100s and then also parents that shared experiences from the depression. I don't think (from my microscopic knowledge of talking to them) that the safety nets for unemployment, care for the poor, food stamps, etc. etc. were in place when the great depression started. At least for my family the only thing that saved them was family taking care of family - and it was very difficult.
Unfortunately - family says call Uncle Sam now - but that is a totally different subject. You and I could probably have some meaningful conversation about that also.
What I will agree to is that the middle is getting squeezed harder and harder - with no end in sight.
Our representation in Washington has to starting meeting in the middle to save the middle.
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No shift here - still stand on my opinion that unless we see a shift in the Senate and House - makes no difference who is in the White House - will be more of the same. Not a big fan of either President Obama or Mitt Romney. I don't like Mr. Obama stand on some issues, but Mr. Romney doesn't have an answer either. I only commented because it seems that people on each side point at the other side about the money issue. I don't think either man tells the truth all the time - regardless of how much money they spend.
As for Mute Romney - I don't know the man - I respect Mr. Obama as President and feel each of us should show the same respect for any candidate for this office. Disrespect only lessens our ability to influence others with our views and opinions.
Edith I do know of Mr Mitt Romney and he doesn't align with where I stand on many topics either.
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Just read where President Obama is emailing all his supporters for more money - he has a real concern that his opponent will out spend him and even as a sitting President recognizes that money talks. He can't stand on his record alone - he has to equal or out spend his opposition.
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Catholic or a Christian?
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If we thought alike - America would become even more stagnent - we must challenge each other to think - examine - and then pick paths forward.
Enjoy a donut with that coffee! I am on my fifth or sixth - maybe why I got wound up......have a great day - inside - to hot to be outside.
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And this is the place you want me to be to comment on blogs in Victoria, Texas?
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I don't understand why big business or even medium size business are demons. We as Americans owned a big piece of big business - the two auto makers. Businesses creat jobs - and yes all can say - no they don't they send them overseas - but what about all the jobs they do create here.
People want to say we are in a global economy, but make sure the businesses in America have to provide so much more than the competition in the world. Make sure the businesses in America have to pay substantially more than the competition in the world. Seems to me so many people talk out of both sides of their mouth - big business is a demon - lets make sure we price them out of the global economy.
So what if the owner of a big business makes lots of money - they also pour lots of money into the American economy.
Want to make a difference - buy American if you can find it. Oh yeah - that's right - it won't make any difference because we are in a global economy.
Fact is big business and the people that own them are demons because they have money - worked hard for it - and people want it - so make them demons and take their money. And they will slowly close down what they do have here.
I try to stay in the middle but guess my hot button is when the very people and companies that do generate the private sector jobs become evil to some people - ticks me off.
Flag this comment
Another good read - the dream is always in the mind of the beholder. My dad had his own business and sent us kids through school - always saying he wanted us to be better than him. Better? Never! We just worked less and made more money. He was a WW2 vet and he always amazed me when he talked about how he was so lucky coming back from the Pacific - being able to buy army surplus and selling it at a profit - that is where he got his start. He said that he believed that the USA was always the place to live because everyone had opportunities - we/they just needed to go after them.
Having lived outside the USA - I have to agree - we have opportunities here that aren't available elsewhere.
He took care of the employees in his business - they were family to him.
I think what we miss now is that our dream - no matter what it is impacts and touches people other than ourselves - and so many don't care - they don't care if the impact hurts others - just so long as it is good for them.
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I do not agree with many of the President"s views. In fact I disagree strongly with some of his positions, but he is but one man and all though he can influence the Senate and House - he cannot take them where they don't want to go.
I will continue to write my Senators and congressman and make sure they know what I think they should do to represent me.
As for History - only time will tell - and I believe history will be kind to President Obama.
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And by the way - why do we jump all over the info that major news media releases as the truth - but it is released under conditions of anonymity - but we want commenters to blogs to be transparent?
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