Monday, March 03, 2008

Warren Buffett: We are essentially in a recession. HERE.

George Bush: The economy is in a slowdown, but not headed toward a recession. HERE.



Kim Stagliano: I'm thinking a depression is on its way. Gas costs $3.30 a gallon. Heating fuel? Fuggedboudit. Jobs? Did you see 60 Minutes last night. Did you see the man who had worked for a paper factory for 27 years, as had his Dad for 41 years? He is losing his job and his wife has MS. They're fucked. No pretty way to put it. Need to take a new job? You can't go if you can't sell your house (thank God we rent, that's a huge plus right now.) Need to retire to a small condo to save money on the big house where you raised your kids? You're SOL - I see it all over my town. My well to do, whitebread town. Houses listed as "Short Sale" and "Lis Pendens" and "Foreclosing." Did you get a raise last year? My husband didn't. Did you work more hours? My husband worked 60 - 70 hours per week. Sat - Sun included. 9 - 5 no longer exists.

Many years ago I lost a co-worker to skin cancer. Dave was 43 and had three kids. He'd been laid of by British Petroleum, lost his health insurance and then his life. He couldn't afford treatment. We were in the backyard of the Cleveland Clinic and many other world class hospitals. This is STILL going on today - only there are thousands more Daves.

The USA needs a change. A very big change. I believe Warren Buffett. I do not believe George W. Bush. How about you? Do you feel safe and secure and ready to face your future without constant worry? If so, bottle that feeling. It will sell like hotcakes.

10 comments:

Amanda said...

We're currently paying £1.10 per litre of fuel which equates to £4.16 per US gallon so that would be $8.33 approximately.

Let's just say my opinion of George W has never been very high and leave it at that...

Lynn Cahoon said...

Ok, so my whining about the snow and ice that is causing me to take yet another snow day won't work!

I agree that something has to happen, especially around the insurance thing. Now that I have the Big C in my history, I can't buy self employed insurance so I'll be working for the man for the rest of my life.

Funny how life changes things you planned for the future.

But, the sun will be here tomorrow, the window opens when the door closes and we will get through even the hard times. I know, the eternal optimist.

Lynn

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

Lynn, you're right - we have to remain optimistic. That IS the American way - and I have faith we'll have a turnaround, nationally and personally. Whine all you want! We're a WHINE ALLOWED ZONE. :)

K

Anonymous said...

I hope that your hubby at LEAST got some severence.(however you spell that).

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

Anon, how many fingers and toes do you have? Now add one. That's days. Not months. I'll be blogging that part LATER. We have some unfinished business with them yet.

Anonymous said...

that is just freakin' WRONG!!!! that just makes me irate-fu#%ers.

bob said...

Oh thats just wrong Kim - hope it works out though and you get more than that!

I know it's not recommended but we had to tap into that lovely 401K. What's that commerical for what I can't remember but that "It's my money and I want it NOW!"

Politically, yeah, the insurance stuff has got to change. As to who can pull it off? I'll just leave that for another day :o)

contemporary themes said...

Thinking of you and yours.

I don't think I've ever agreed with Bush.

RJeff said...

First time poster, long time lurker, love your blog.

You ain't just whistling Dixie. G-Dub has proved time and again that he is either the dumbest person on the face on this planet, or a colossal liar. I'm with Buffet on this one, I'm sad to say.

Kimberly Dell'Isola said...

rjeff,

How bout both?

k