Dear recession:

[Colleen27]

My grandparents were on 6 Mile and other ones were 12 Mile.

I remember visiting them in my youth in the 70-80's. 6 mile was not great in the 70's, however in the 80's we would drive around and take pic's of the burned out cars and houses there.

Areas of MI have been depressed for a long time. I can't imagine the spread of it. People will have to go out of state.

We compare St. Louis to Detroit. We are bleeding corporations. Plant closures and layoffs effect our economy here.

I hope that we really start up a renewable energy program. There is real area for brand new jobs. I would love to build a house that makes money (off the electricity). We looked into it and the incentives to help get this off the ground will require government intervention. Just a fact. I think it is the right way to go. Other countries are ahead of us. We need to come into the 21st Century.

Small world - I grew up on 12 Mile!

Oddly enough, much of Detroit looks better now than it did back in the 80s, and downtown almost looks like a real city again. I don't imagine it can last, though, when the whole region is hurting the way it is now.

There are those out there with the vision that I think it will take to turn things around. There is one group building a biodiesel plant in Detroit that will be able to operate not only on corn and soybeans but also sunflower, rapeseed, etc. Somewhere, I read a suggestion that some of the crops used might eventually be grown on vacant land within the city itself, which is a brilliant idea - put the land to use, reduce blight, and help the community and the environment. I just hope that the downturn in our national economy doesn't undermine that kind of thinking just when it is needed most.

 

[NMAmy]

I think it's wonderful that many people aren't feeling the effects of the economic mess and that they intend to go on as normal. I imagine that this will actually do more good for the economy than most anything else.

However, it could be foolhardy to play ostrich completely. It's always a good idea to "be prepared" as the saying goes. I also hope that no one thumbs their noses at those who are struggling. We have lots of shoppers here too but also many who are being laid off and many foreclosures. I too often see a tendency for some people to say "I'm doing alright and therefore everyone else is". Um, no.

It is sort of like living in the midwest and hearing about a hurricane somewhere else in the country and then looking out my window and saying, "Well, jeez, those newscasters are really overreacting--there's not a cloud in the sky!"

I'm happy for those who aren't seeing this--but it's extremely insensitive to make light of the situation that others are in and to pretend like it isn't happening ANYWHERE if it isn't happening to you personally.

 

[happygirl]

We have decided not to participate. The parking lots of the shopping areas are full so are those around the restaurants.

The local community banks are lending money for small businesses and for home buyers.

You may be trying to bring down our country's mood, but we are not going to fall for your tricks. We are supporting those in need and giving business to those who are in our community.

Go find another area to blast on about, because we are not listening to you or your friends in the media.

I'm glad you can be postive but rememeber things aren't so in other areas of the country

 

[C.Ann]

I'm happy for those who aren't seeing this--but it's extremely insensitive to make light of the situation that others are in and to pretend like it isn't happening ANYWHERE if it isn't happening to you personally.

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Exactly.. And then to gleefully have another thread going at the same time talking about all of the unpaid debt in this country.. Just seems kind of rude to me - and I don't even have any debt..

 

[#1hockeymom]

It is sort of like living in the midwest and hearing about a hurricane somewhere else in the country and then looking out my window and saying, "Well, jeez, those newscasters are really overreacting--there's not a cloud in the sky!"

I'm happy for those who aren't seeing this--but it's extremely insensitive to make light of the situation that others are in and to pretend like it isn't happening ANYWHERE if it isn't happening to you personally.

Great post. Exactly what I have been thinking.

 

[sahd2one]

Long waits to get into two restaurants tonight. Take that recession!

 

[sahd2one]

I saw the same thing today and even commented about the amount of traffic on the road this morning. Meijer was jammed almost as full as a Black Friday. All checkouts were open and lines went into the clothing departments. Macys had nowhere to park at all.

My job is partially related to travel and my sales numbers for October are the highest they have been in October during my 5 years in KY.

I also am having problems filling an open position in my territory and recently asked a former contractor to help since nobody wanted the work. I am getting applicants, but the willingness to work just isn't out there right now. Unemployment is about 5.5% in my area.

But people just want to come and rain on your parade and tell you how bad things are in the country. Well I believe that economy is also local and there are so many sections of the country that are not in recession and are doing well. Nothing wrong with being positive about it all. There are those who just want to wallow in their own misery and put down anyone who is out there seeing success and no signs of a recession.

Apparently good news is "insensitive".

 

[Missy1961]

It is sort of like living in the midwest and hearing about a hurricane somewhere else in the country and then looking out my window and saying, "Well, jeez, those newscasters are really overreacting--there's not a cloud in the sky!"

I'm happy for those who aren't seeing this--but it's extremely insensitive to make light of the situation that others are in and to pretend like it isn't happening ANYWHERE if it isn't happening to you personally.

Exactly. I live in the suburbs of NYC. Things are starting to slow down here. Monday, I went out to eat. Got to the restaurant at 7. In the past, I would have waited at least 30 minutes for a table at that time. Not this Monday. We got a table right away. And there were empty tables everywhere. And no-one waiting for a table when we left about 8. Mall isn't crowded either. People still have jobs, but they are being careful. (don't want credit card debt, you know.)

I'm glad for those of you doing well. I'm doing OK, and I hope that continues. I don't want there to be a recession either, but I'm not pretending that because things are OK for me that they are OK for everyone.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Just got back from taking the kids to a sold out showing of High School Musical 3. We went to the mall afterward. Took 15 minutes to find a place to park .. Is the economy in good shape? No .. Are people still spending money? It looks that way to me ..

 

[ntsammy5]

.. Is the economy in good shape? No .. Are people still spending money? It looks that way to me ..

And that, in a nutshell, is the answer!

 

[m&m's mom]

Where do you live that is so great? Maybe we all want to move there, LOL.

Try Texas. Doing great here.

I don't know where he lives but here it was horrible in the early 80's to mid 80's, it might have started in the late 70's but it didn't hit us until 1981. Again I guess it depends on where you are from. Right now things are good here so far.

Are you serious? "Good so far"? We have a huge shortage in our Houston office as the employees are all getting offered even more money elsewhere. The economy in Houston is very good.

 

[Aimeedyan]

This Texan has an unemployed hubby because no one in our area is buying cars.

I think in times like this, people spend money closer to home on things that bring instant gratification. They don't buy new cars, new houses, boats, expensive trips, etc. It's not surprise to me that a family is choosing to "splurge" on a new outfit at the mall instead of jetting to Disney World. It is a small boost to the ego, helps your local economy a little, but doesn't hurt the pocketbook much. Doesn't mean there isn't a recession, though

 

[mamacatnv]

I took the original post very tongue in cheek.. kind of the attitude of not going down without a fight.

I live in the highest foreclosure state in the Country. Our Governor has imposed 14% cuts across the board to everything that gets state funding including schools, Univ's and what few social welfare programs we actually have.

Vegas may seem "busy" but gaming revenue has plummeted.

Houses are empty all around me, nothing has sold in my neighborhood since Nov 2007 and the value of my house has dropped 50% in 1.5 years. My DH's company which is one of the largest employers in the area is laying off 20-30% of it's workforce by the end of this year. We hope and pray he is not included, but you never know.

We are well aware first hand of what is going on but part of me thinks the election will make a difference regardless of who is elected. I also think that if we can we need to continue our spending patterns. Our lack of spending is part of the problem. With gas prices falling, hopefully personal budgets will ease up a little and we can pour some of it back into our local economies.

 

[C.Ann]

Apparently good news is "insensitive".

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Actually it's the general "attitude" on both threads that is "insensitive"..

Having an optimisitc attitude - based on what is happening in your corner of the country is fine - totally ignoring what is happening in other sections of the country (or insisting that it "isn't" happening) is burying your head in the sand..

For some reason, I just have a hard time believing that people would lie about losing their jobs; health insurance; etc..

 

[bumcat]

Try Texas. Doing great here.



Are you serious? "Good so far"? We have a huge shortage in our Houston office as the employees are all getting offered even more money elsewhere. The economy in Houston is very good.

That's what I meant, it is good so far, meaning so far so good, cross your fingers that it stays strong. KWIM?

 

[sahd2one]

Try Texas. Doing great here.

Are you serious? "Good so far"? We have a huge shortage in our Houston office as the employees are all getting offered even more money elsewhere. The economy in Houston is very good.

We are too. It is amazing how people seem to forget what it was like in the late 70's. We as a nation are pretty darn wealthy. Not having double digit inflation or unemployment or double digit mortgage rates and we are doing so much better.

People seem to forget all we have weathered over the past decade even. We are really resilient. Yes there are people that are suffering and some of it was even brought on themselves.

However there are people out in the flyover country who are doing quite well thank you. We are telling the recession and those in the media who want us paniced and skeered that we aren't listening to them anymore and going about our business. We here enough about how bad it is in the country. If anything, it is insensitive of those doing so bad not to allow those are doing good to be heard. It is almost like there are some who want to wallow in their own self-pity and not see that there are glimmers of hope as evidenced in this thread. There are are plenty of threads of how bad things are, nothing like a little balance in stating how good things are.

 

[Laurabearz]

We have decided not to participate. The parking lots of the shopping areas are full so are those around the restaurants.

The local community banks are lending money for small businesses and for home buyers.

You may be trying to bring down our country's mood, but we are not going to fall for your tricks. We are supporting those in need and giving business to those who are in our community.

Go find another area to blast on about, because we are not listening to you or your friends in the media.

Well if YOU say it , it must be true

As long as the media keeps talking the economy down, people will be convinced that the sky is falling and "Wall street" is burning!!! Gosh I have more money than I know what to do with in the past three weeks with gas now at $1.50 less per gallon.

It will be an awesome Christmas around these parts!

Where do YOU live?

This is NOTHING compared to what it was in the late 70's. People's memories are so fleeting.

We do not have double digit employment nor double digit mortgage rates.

Yes things are great right now all over, you just need to know where to look.

Great ALL OVER? You are sadly mistaken. Again you have been asked by a couple of posters where you live... Care to share this Fantasic place?

Right now, in the city of Buffalo the unemployment rate for black men is 50% - for white men 25%.

I lived through the 70s too and, well, I think if this thing we're in now continues to roll, the 70s will look good. My third child wasn't born until 1980 though, so I had only 2 in the 70s.

Things are bad around here too...

It is sort of like living in the midwest and hearing about a hurricane somewhere else in the country and then looking out my window and saying, "Well, jeez, those newscasters are really overreacting--there's not a cloud in the sky!"

I'm happy for those who aren't seeing this--but it's extremely insensitive to make light of the situation that others are in and to pretend like it isn't happening ANYWHERE if it isn't happening to you personally.

Perfect example.

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Exactly.. And then to gleefully have another thread going at the same time talking about all of the unpaid debt in this country.. Just seems kind of rude to me - and I don't even have any debt..

Ditto

Long waits to get into two restaurants tonight. Take that recession!

And again... Where is this place you keep referring too?

 

[sahd2one]

well said, you are probably going to get blasted by people who want to bring everybodys mood down, but stay positive, have a great attitude, continue to work and play hard, the usa is strong and we will come out of anything better and stronger.

Oh how prescient you were!

 

[yeartolate]

I agree! I was in Vegas last week, and it was amazing how many people were on the strip and filling up the casinos! It was during the weekday too.

One in every 91 households in Nevada is filing for bankruptcy. While not a sign of recession, I am not going to post a happy face emoticon either.

I know alot of people chosing Las Vegas as a destination. They get great cheap deals and since they cannot afford their traditional vacation (2 weeks in Hawaii, WDW,etc) it allows them to get away without breaking the budget.

 

[Planogirl]

If anything, it is insensitive of those doing so bad not to allow those are doing good to be heard. It is almost like there are some who want to wallow in their own self-pity and not see that there are glimmers of hope as evidenced in this thread. There are are plenty of threads of how bad things are, nothing like a little balance in stating how good things are.

How mean of those worried people to ruin your thread! I'm doing OK too but I am aware that others aren't. Sorry for being insensitive by pointing that out.

I'll leave you to your thread now.