about how many industries we abandoned, in the name of the environment and cheaper prices. Costcos and Walmarts built fortunes designing and having built products in China, to have prices cheaper in America. The cost in jobs is born by the Federal government……for a time. Here in Washington, we had the spotted owl debate. Loggers of generations lost their trade, and a good paying trade, and some lost their families and homes, for an animal. All so a overpaid office professional can feel good about himself saving the planet.

but in my mind, we have to survive the lame-duck session as well (assuming of course the Republicans don’t have the will to shut down Congress).

too. I really like your plan Cold Warrior. It helps people take charge of their future and their world. I’m going to speak up, and hopefully the PCO’s will have a couple extra ideas to talk about at meetings, other than the latest conservative talking points. The world is going to change a lot in the next couple years. It’s not all on Obama. Bush tried to change the course economically, but mostly failed. We, as Republicans, are going to have to come into those meetings with some new ideas. And we can’t wait for the national level politicians to think them up. They have their own interests to protect. We will need to instruct them on what we want them to work on.

with saving everything, too.

My parents are like this, though they didn’t grow up in the Great Depression.

They’re 70ish.

Once again, CW, thanks for another great inspiration.

Hubby and I are off to the GOP State Convention in June as delegates via Precinct Committeemen route and now we’re going to go back to saving rubber bands and doo-hickeys.

I want to teach my children this, and I stopped doing this about 10 years ago.

Thanks for the reminder.

but because of economic events, oppurtunities are not there. Then some are helped by the tax receiving government, but not others. That’s the trap were in. And it has consequences on relationships. The Republican presidential candidates couldn’t see this in 08. As a party we need to see it in ’10, and ’12. a lot of people are going to be looking for solutions.

and the pain is far worse in some parts of the country than others.

But people who are out of a job or underemployed might have to look at doing work they don’t really want to do. I have people turn down jobs all the time because they will not work on Saturday – I am talking about people who are on unemployment.

There is NO easy way out of the current situation. Less government and lower taxes would mean more jobs- but we are faced with incredible deficits and social spendng liabilities. The first move should be to end the extended unemployment. It is horribly expensive and it is keeping people from having to deal with the fact that they most likely ARE NOT going to have the job or the salary they once had. Not going to happen.

Theres realy only two choices: We get our minds right, take the pain and start to dig ourselves out or . . . we are Greece.

One directon is less painful than the other and actually offers a future . . .for our kids, at least. It is hard to say what is really going to happen. The pain and dislocation is more than many people will want to face.

Personally, I suggest hanging on to all the bailing wire and scraps possible. It is that bad.

I can’t even get a sub job, it’s saturated over here.

The districts around me only accept certified teachers for subbing — and even that’s filled.

So, yeah, you can imagine.

Then, who can tutor or try to use their teaching experience on an entrepreneurship-bent in this economy?

running your own small business can be a pain, but it is something everyone should aspire to do. It’s a good business idea, yours. Maybe Kyle 8 could write your operations manual and brochures when you get to that point. Good luck!

Please

or worse. That is that dumbest thing that can be done.

but I’m not sure what the labor laws in the Netherlands look like. Could you elaborate on that?
Supporting China with most favored nation status, while we have 18% unemployment is nuts. They dump heavy metals into the rivers, abuse their workers, and ignore their own poor and uneducated. The trade we get from them benefits very few in this country, and costs us a lot. It’s particularly hard to see christmas ornaments and American Flags made in China.

What happened? The Chinese case good makers folded, the plant superintendents were sent to hard labor, and now the exact same stuff is made in Viet Nam.

A full blown embargo on China would be a disaster in every way.

You like the Netherlands? Yep its nice when you got a bejillion dollars coming in from the North Sea. Covers up for a lot of stupid policy.