My recent trip through the States

[Ken The Kanuck]

The wife and I just got back from a 3000 mile road trip through some of the western states.

I was interested in the " Obama Depression " (my term) that is such big news lately. Now being a Canadian I can look at what is going on at home and I have felt that this downturn in the economy up here has been created by the media. I don't see any real reason for a depression. Of course we will enter a true depression if we continue with the negativity. Especially with our largest trading partner ( the U.S.) seemingly bent on economic suicide.

So I was very interested in observing life as we passed through the various areas on our trip.

What I did notice:

1) A lot of empty stores in malls
2) A lot of new cars on the road
3) A lot of high end cars on the road.
4) A lot of people eatting out, especially in fast food resturants.
5) A lot of people in casinos.
6) People in general are well dressed.
7) Some states ( parts atleast ) have not kept care of the roads and they are in bad shape ( particularly the road into Reno, I-80 ) really terrible.
8) A lot of trucking companies advertising for drivers.
9) Some of the people serving us really didn't seem too interested in thier jobs.
10) Everyone seems to have a cell phone and use it alot.
11) The stores I went into were busy.
12) Lots of Mexican people.
13) A fair amount of construction going on.
14) Hotels bargain like a Mexican bazaar merchant trying to make a sale.
15) Lots of fat people.



Now remembering my mother's stories from the depression and what life was like in a true depression I have to say that I think we are not ( nor our American cousins ) in a true depression.

I tend to think that what we have is a manufactured problem which then creates a reason for the politicians to take money from those who work and give it to those who don't.

So don't give up hope, we are not going to hell in a handbasket, just being screwed around again.

Had a great trip like normal, the American people were most gracious, those in the L.A. area seemed to be a little different from the norm.

Americans are great neighbours and friends.

KTK

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[Bat Guano]

If this works it will be the first time I have been able to post on CSP in what--six months? Which may or may not be considered a good thing in some circles...

But, FWIW--it's interesting to have someone from the "outside" look at us. Personally I think we have 40 years worth of chickens up in the pattern looking for places to roost now. Some of it might just be the wakeup call we need to get back to fundamentals.

(Some wierd smilies over there!)

[Major Tom]

Having just returned from a trip to CA and Texas, I saw no symtoms of economic woe. As Kanuck said, everyplace is bustling and the freeways/interstates are full of people traveling. I do not personally know anyone having difficulties. May be this whole economy thing is just a rouse for Buck Wheat to get money to his homies.

[critter44]

I have no illusions that the economy is 'wonderful' as I see the same things you guys do as to folks still spending money. However, I also am with you guys in that I do not think it is as bad as the mainstream media make us think. In fact, I think much of it is 'panic' and that panic is CAUSED by the constant pounding by the media on the dark side of things.

News media is COMPLETELY out of control. There are so many gullible 'sheeple' who believe that if it comes out of the 'magic box' it is just as factual as if it were written on the stone tablets by God and brought down from the mountain by Moses. Witness the media fawning over and leading the charge to elect our current 'fearless leader'.

The mass media, however, is NOT interested in presenting news. They are interested ONLY in ratings and the ability to sell high priced ads. They are simply 'entertainment'-the exact same type on 'entertainment' as the so-called reality TV shows.

God bless the USA!

[0311Shooter]

Gawd all the posts in this thread are written by some bright people. You guys have it right on.

It's funny, in my area the talk and newspapers are "Oh God, what are we going to do?". But everywhere I look, as Ken the K relates, there's a new CVS pharmacy or a new motel or a new hoard of apartments going up. And yes, everywhere you go someone has a phone growing out of their ear. How on earth did we ever make it 10 years back when one had to go to Wallmart without calling someone?!?!?!?!

Just this morning I heard something else that brought me back a few years. Recall that it was just after the dems won the house and senate in Nov. 2006 that Ted Kennedy shoved through the raise in the minimum wage. Those raises have recently taken affect.

Then you toss in the gas price surge of last year and the mortgage fiasco, all the while the demo congress spent all their time trying to impeach Bush and lose in Iraq.

Makes for an interesting scenario.

[PhillipM]

15) Lots of fat people.



Now remembering my mother's stories from the depression and what life was like in a true depression I have to say that I think we are not ( nor our American cousins ) in a true depression.

KTK

My mother and I watched a story on the history channel about the construction of the TVA dams during the '30's. It showed thousands lined up trying to get hired. She quipped, "Not one overweight person there. I never saw a fat person when I was a child." She was born in 1934.

[Devil Dog]

I think it depends on where you live as to what kind of shape this country is in. In Michigan things are very tough. The published unemployment rate is 12% but that only includes those who are collecting benefits. Those whose benefits have exrired are not in the 12%. Many commercial buildings and factorys are closed. Foreclosers are everywhere. It is next to impossible to sell a house. The press is not causing the problem in Michigan.

[Ken The Kanuck]

I was talking to a friend of mine who just got back from the Daytona 500 and he also had the impression I did.

Please do not think that I am belittling anyone's economic woes as I am certainly am not as I say I was raised by people who were kids in the Great Depression.

But I believe that we should not be so negative as I do not believe that it helps. But at the same time we must be realists, hence my impressions.

KTK

[Rick Gushman]

Devil Dog has it right. There are some areas of the country that have been little affected by the current economic problems (yet) but other areas have been hit very hard. Areas that depend on heavy manufacturing are the hardest hit. When automobile sales are off by 30 to 40% and even Toyota is loosing money there is a problem. If things don't turn around, the trouble will spread. Despite the high price, I don't see much that is in the so-called stimulus package that will do much to turn things around very quickly. It is more of a spending package than a stimulus package. But what did we expect from some one who thinks that properity comes from the government? For an ecomony to prosper, there must be a willingness by investors to supply capital to industry and loans to consumers and a willingness by consumers to purchase the commodities that keep the economy moving. Things in that regard aren't happening as it should. I do hope this ends soon because if it doesn't folks who are now wondering what it's all about will get a firsthand economics lesson. Rick

[0311Shooter]

We are going to be in this for a long time. Here is what transpired.

Prior to the 2006 mid term elections, we saw the left wing media slam Bush over and over, I can recall them saying "this is the worst economy since the Great Depression". Plus they lambasted republicans like Foley and Cunningham, sex maniacs and crooked politicians. Yeah, the unemployment was only up to about 5%, from a low of about 4.1%. Left wing media said "democrats WILL take over the house and possibly the senate". Many bought it, that's how the election turned out.

Soon as democrats were in, they immediately set out to lose the Iraq War. They quickly passed the new Minimum Wage law. They set out to get jailed Karl Rove, Gonzo, Cheney, and any one they could from the Bush administration. They got Gonzo and Scooter Libby for ...????

In the meantime, to get a democrat elected in 2008, the economy had to tank. When gas started shooting up to $5 a gallon, the democrats went home. About this time the mortgage cra-pola started gearing up, or down. The average worker couldn't buy gas, buy food, and pay his mortgage either.

Democrats got their wishes, the economy tanked, a socialist won the election, and this community organizer is calling the shots.

IF we can survive the next 3.5 years .......