RECESSION TESTIMONIES!!!!!!

fear4freedom

My testimony is that i must shed light on how much i have changed since 2007! I was a small business entrepereneur in construction and concrete restoration when the recession hit. I had a big house with a gf and her two children. I was happy and raising a family in one of the nicest places on earth! Business for my line of services dropped off overnight! It was like a switch! We lost the house due to no depth, credit or savings. We were thin from the get go! We were still young and growing. The winters here can be tough with no work from Thanksgiving to February and sometimes March. I remember having to go to the local church and stand in line for food. Talk about a humbling experience that was. Here i am .....young, vibrant, entrepreneurial, strong and independent.....and standing in line for food at the church. That was a life changer, and that entire winter was a test that i dont want to endure again.
I live in an area where i am a minority when it comes to construction services. I compete against hispanics and undocumented workers. I am a small time guy that has always been one of the "have nots" but always worked hard and tried to be personally responsible! It has been increasingly difficult to maintain that motivation! My govt. tells me that i cannot hire illegals, but i have to compete against them. The playing field is not level at all or even close to being level. I continue to lose jobs and estimates to the illegals who can do the work for much less. Its a constant balancing act when giving my estimates to my customers. Win some, lose many! I havent been able to actually put a business together again. I am just a handyman now...struggling with trying to just make it, let alone hiring a legal citizen on and running a business legitamately! Legally and ethically i cannot compete and make it! There is a brotherhood amongst my competition that just overrides my hard work ethic! I cannot compete against them because their cost of living and way of life is much less than mine! They have guys to do the work for much less! In this economy im doomed!
I have downsized so much ....i dont have anything left to enjoy! My TV is as deep as it is wide! My car and work van are beaters! I pay for everything cash....i cannot get loans!
I have learned to live for less....and accept that i wont own a home!
I say reform immigration and give them a path to citizenship now! Bring soldiers home from Iraq and put a division down on the border now! Stop the influx, create path to citizenship, bring in tax revenues! Hold all accountable like we all are held! Make this playing field....LEVEL!
The Democratic Party is using this issue as a tool and expedience! NO GOOD! I can see it and feel it! Easy to see!

37pheet

bigoted post deleted by admin

Nittany1bn

how does something so personal and touching get ruined by something so hateful and disgusting.

CH156378

bought a house 3 years ago. worked 53 hours last week. my wife got a cna license 1 year ago. she worked 49 hours last week. she actually worked a double one night because third shift called in. are jobs are not easy. we are not rich.i have never been happier.

oh and we both look forward to voting for obama next year. we might even get a yard sign.

aerial

CH156378 wrote:

bought a house 3 years ago. worked 53 hours last week. my wife got a cna license 1 year ago. she worked 49 hours last week. she actually worked a double one night because third shift called in. are jobs are not easy. we are not rich.i have never been happier.

oh and we both look forward to voting for obama next year. we might even get a yard sign.

:problem:

CH156378

aerial wrote:

CH156378 wrote:

bought a house 3 years ago. worked 53 hours last week. my wife got a cna license 1 year ago. she worked 49 hours last week. she actually worked a double one night because third shift called in. are jobs are not easy. we are not rich.i have never been happier.

oh and we both look forward to voting for obama next year. we might even get a yard sign.

:problem:

:think:

g under p

aerial wrote:

CH156378 wrote:

bought a house 3 years ago. worked 53 hours last week. my wife got a cna license 1 year ago. she worked 49 hours last week. she actually worked a double one night because third shift called in. are jobs are not easy. we are not rich.i have never been happier.

oh and we both look forward to voting for obama next year. we might even get a yard sign.

:problem:

Hello aerial missed ya,

In many ways I believe this recession is and has been one the best things that has happened to the US. Our family has learned or is learning to watch what we we eat how much we eat (my fiance and I have given up meat and we've saved 2-$300 a month on just meats). A simple thing as how long we take a shower is NOW cut back even though we don't pay for our water system we use well water that is filtered. However ALL the water used goes into septic tanks that is filtered out into 3 acres of our field. The children now know better yet actually turn off everything electric....everything costs and everything adds up and everything must be cared for. The pampered lifestyle they once knew is no more and everybody has must save where they can do so.

I'm sure many other Americans are tighten up also I would also like for our government would also ban together and tighten up. We are far from a time of prosperity but it can and will come again. I didn't vote for our current the first time around and yes he's been far from stellar but I will be voting for him come next year.

Peace

aerial

g under p wrote:

aerial wrote:

CH156378 wrote:

bought a house 3 years ago. worked 53 hours last week. my wife got a cna license 1 year ago. she worked 49 hours last week. she actually worked a double one night because third shift called in. are jobs are not easy. we are not rich.i have never been happier.

oh and we both look forward to voting for obama next year. we might even get a yard sign.

:problem:

Hello aerial missed ya,

In many ways I believe this recession is and has been one the best things that has happened to the US. Our family has learned or is learning to watch what we we eat how much we eat (my fiance and I have given up meat and we've saved 2-$300 a month on just meats). A simple thing as how long we take a shower is NOW cut back even though we don't pay for our water system we use well water that is filtered. However ALL the water used goes into septic tanks that is filtered out into 3 acres of our field. The children now know better yet actually turn off everything electric....everything costs and everything adds up and everything must be cared for. The pampered lifestyle they once knew is no more and everybody has must save where they can do so.

I'm sure many other Americans are tighten up also I would also like for our government would also ban together and tighten up. We are far from a time of prosperity but it can and will come again. I didn't vote for our current the first time around and yes he's been far from stellar but I will be voting for him come next year.

Peace

Prosperity for myself has always come in the form of:

If I can afford a vacation
I do not have to juggle the bills this month
We are having king Crab legs tonight
I can afford to fill the propane tank again, yea! Cook out!
Yep I think I can afford to purchase that $20.00 bottle of wine this week and sometime the $30.00 bottle!


I enjoy these moments to the fullest and do not take anything for granted.
So I'd say I also have a good life.
I agree with you the White House should tighten up and stop acting so freaking superior using the Taxpayers money, but this administration has proven they are not a believer in checks and balances.
Obama and his crony’s names will add to the long list of incompetent politicians that have proven to be scandals liars.
I guess that is why I do not understand why anyone would vote for Obama.

keeponrockin

aerial wrote:

I enjoy these moments to the fullest and do not take anything for granted.
So I'd say I also have a good life.
I agree with you the White House should tighten up and stop acting so freaking superior using the Taxpayers money, but this administration has proven they are not a believer in checks and balances.
Obama and his crony’s names will add to the long list of incompetent politicians that have proven to be scandals liars.
I guess that is why I do not understand why anyone would vote for Obama.

Because the GOP of the past 20 years has done the exact same thing, and they promote the family values bullshit.

brianlux

Somewhere up there this thread quickly got really screwed up. We're to empathize or sympathize with bigots? Not me. :(

g under p

keeponrockin wrote:

aerial wrote:

I enjoy these moments to the fullest and do not take anything for granted.
So I'd say I also have a good life.
I agree with you the White House should tighten up and stop acting so freaking superior using the Taxpayers money, but this administration has proven they are not a believer in checks and balances.
Obama and his crony’s names will add to the long list of incompetent politicians that have proven to be scandals liars.
I guess that is why I do not understand why anyone would vote for Obama.

Because the GOP of the past 20 years has done the exact same thing, and they promote the family values bullshit.

I was going to say the very same thing...the GOP is NO DIFFERENT and I'm pretty sure IF the GOP was in charge and they were doing the very same things as the Obama administration you would STILL vote for that said administration.

Peace

aerial

g under p wrote:

keeponrockin wrote:

aerial wrote:

I enjoy these moments to the fullest and do not take anything for granted.
So I'd say I also have a good life.
I agree with you the White House should tighten up and stop acting so freaking superior using the Taxpayers money, but this administration has proven they are not a believer in checks and balances.
Obama and his crony’s names will add to the long list of incompetent politicians that have proven to be scandals liars.
I guess that is why I do not understand why anyone would vote for Obama.

Because the GOP of the past 20 years has done the exact same thing, and they promote the family values bullshit.

I was going to say the very same thing...the GOP is NO DIFFERENT and I'm pretty sure IF the GOP was in charge and they were doing the very same things as the Obama administration you would STILL vote for that said administration.


No. You are Very wrong. I am not voting for the same. I will vote for CHANGE, not promises. More and more people are educating there selves with the problems this country is going thru. The majority of people will vote nonpartisan.

keeponrockin

What (going back to Reagan) has a GOP president done to show they are fiscally responsible? GWB cut taxes and increased spending for fuck's sake.

g under p

aerial wrote:

I enjoy these moments to the fullest and do not take anything for granted.
So I'd say I also have a good life.
I agree with you the White House should tighten up and stop acting so freaking superior using the Taxpayers money, but this administration has proven they are not a believer in checks and balances.
Obama and his crony’s names will add to the long list of incompetent politicians that have proven to be scandals liars.
I guess that is why I do not understand why anyone would vote for Obama.

aerial wrote:

g under p wrote:

keeponrockin wrote:

Because the GOP of the past 20 years has done the exact same thing, and they promote the family values bullshit.

g under p wrote:

I was going to say the very same thing...the GOP is NO DIFFERENT and I'm pretty sure IF the GOP was in charge and they were doing the very same things as the Obama administration you would STILL vote for that said administration.

aerial wrote:

No. You are Very wrong. I am not voting for the same. I will vote for CHANGE, not promises. More and more people are educating there selves with the problems this country is going thru. The majority of people will vote nonpartisan.

Oh Please.... do you think if when you and the majority of the people who will vote partianship for CHANGE not promises that ANYTHING will STILL be different? IF you believe any of that you are fooling yourselves. THEY ALL promise something and DON'T follow through on those said promises that's what makes a GOOD politician....what better bullshit that can be read from a tellipromter and having people like you believe it.

Peace

aerial

Candidates voting record tells a lot about them as does there character. In addition, the people they surround themselves with are pretty telling about what kind of person they are.

inlet13

Me, I work as an economist. The recession is actually good to certain counter cyclical careers like economists.

My reason for posting: this recession was nothing... wait til' the next one, (or the one that's happening now). Once people and companies pick up on it, things won't be pretty.

You guys are talking about how easy and great things are now, wait until that one kicks in. See ya.

brianlux

What about this angle?:

"Most of all, of course, our time has been the time of bigness- the amazing ever steepening upward curve, where things grew and grew and then grew some more. Economies and road networks and houses, inflating until there were entire subdivisions filled with starter castles for entry-level monarchs. Stomachs and breasts and lips, cars and debts, portions and bonuses. Can we imagine smaller? That is the test of our time, both practical and psychological. How can we adjust to the fact that we’re not going to get bigger? That the wind has begun to blow harder, and hence we need to lower our wind resistance. That the sun has begun to burn more brightly, and hence like other animals we need to reduce our size. That the oil has begun to run out, and hence everything we own is suddenly larger than it should be.

It’s not easy to make the imaginative leap. Slow food is one thing, but shrinking is another. The pain of recession- a word that, after all, means getting smaller- has been entirely real, because our economy is geared to work only with growth. By definition, the only way to escape recession is to grow larger again.

On the other hand, in certain ways our economic trouble gives us real insight into scale, makes it easier to start thinking subversive thoughts. If there is a phrase that sticks in the mind (and in the craw) from the last few years, it is “too big to fail”. Giants like Citibank or AIG had swelled to a size where if they collapsed they would bring down the entire financial system. The phrase, loosely translated, meant “the government must bail us out”. That’s the part we debated on TV and in the op-ed columns: should we prop them up? But the simpler meaning of the phrase was that they were “too big”. Anything too big to fail is by definition too big."

From Eaarth, Bill McKibben, Times Books, 2010, pp. 104-105

WaveCameCrashin

Nittany1bn wrote:

how does something so personal and touching get ruined by something so hateful and disgusting.

:roll:

I went back and read this 3 times. How you can even say that? Un documented workers have effected the construction industry in a very negative way. The op said that he"s in favor of some kind of path to citizenship program. Not once did he use any racial slurs or anything like that. Sounds like your the typical liberal democrat who can't wait to play the race card or call someone a hater just bcos you disagree with them without even knowing the facts.

fear4freedom

WaveCameCrashin wrote:

Nittany1bn wrote:

how does something so personal and touching get ruined by something so hateful and disgusting.

:roll:

I went back and read this 3 times. How you can even say that? Un documented workers have effected the construction industry in a very negative way. The op said that he"s in favor of some kind of path to citizenship program. Not once did he use any racial slurs or anything like that. Sounds like your the typical liberal democrat who can't wait to play the race card or call someone a hater just bcos you disagree with them without even knowing the facts.

Thank you my friend! You have just exposed the typical liberal democrat! I was awaiting someones response! I even said "undocumented worker" and thats what the hispanics would have wanted. I am friends with Guatemalans and Mexicans! They like me! I have many Asian friends! My girlfriend is from Africa! I make love to a black woman everyday! I couldnt wait for the typical liberal to say this, and i couldnt wait for you to expose them! Now i will respond back.....some are correct on here.....both parties are responsible for past results and failures! Equally to blame! HOWEVER, the Democratic Party is using this issue for future race and bigotry accusations just like the example we saw here! I am a Christian Conservative Pro Lifer who is in love with a black woman and has hispanic and asian friends! LOL We have exposed the typical liberal here completely! I wish the whole world could see this one!

They are using the media and the bias tools along with bigotry and race allegations to divide this great country.....all for votes next year and political gains for themselves! SICK and SAD! I wish Pearl Jam would be smart enough to see this and the political correctness brought on from liberalism! I pray that miracles happen......i believe they are!

WaveCameCrashin

Yeah it's sad.. I don't know why liberal democrats even call themselves liberal. There's nothing liberal about them. Maybe when it comes to sex and hard drugs that's about it.And the Democratic party is no where near the same party it was when Clinton was president. You look at all the people that Obama surrounds himself with and their ideology and it's not hard to see what their party has become. Having said that the GOP has their issues also. It was under Reagan when this mess started. But they the congress promised they would enforce the border,but never did what they said they would. But at least the GOP isn't trying to " fundamentally change America"


I have a cousin that married a guy from brazil and he came here with nothing and couldn't even speak English. He came here about 10 years ago on a WORK VISA and within that time period he's managed to build a very successful construction company, and he only hires americans or they have have a workers visa.They have 2 beautiful children together and he became a citizen about 2 years ago. Also he's a conservative.. :shock: imagine that.

brianlux

Oh lovely...here comes another endless us vs them rant. Why don't we start up Civil War II while we're at it. That would be a hoot. Or- here's a novel idea- how about some useful, constructive suggestions about how to move forward... withour bashing each other or other ethic groups (yes, that did happen- the post was deleted). What about the ideas posed by McKibben in the quote I posted above? Or is that just not confrontational enough?