The current economic figures are going up because the middle class is disappearing. Has anyone noticed? The upper class can afford more and more things like new diesel trucks, furniture, vacation cruises, and new houses. The upper class can afford those "safety net" stock portfolios to hedge against skyrocketing prices of basic necessities and are well off enough not to notice that in the real world, the floor is falling out from under the rest of us. They can afford not to notice the rest of us draining our savings and the little we put away for the kid's college because we need the rest for basic necessities.
Meanwhile, the middle class is losing buying power by the day. They can no longer afford that extra night out a month with the family because the money for it went into the gas tank last week. They can't afford a new car every two or three years anymore like they used to before Bush. Their paychecks are being eaten up by higher costs for insurance and health care. Their credit cards are being eaten up by ever-raising interest rates and higher minimum payments because of greedy credit card companies that hand out plastic like water. Then, after you're hooked, they decide to raise your rates and payments whether you like it or not. But they're nice about it and send little notes out saying, in effect, "If you don't like it, simply pay off your balance!" Yeah right!
The shrinking middle class has to make tough decisions like whether to pay the car and house payment or taking the kids to the dentist. But the upper middle class Republicans don't have to notice or care about the rest of us, do they? Spend $200 for dinner? Heh, that's petty cash hardly worth noticing! More and more middle class people are buying goods on credit cards because they can no longer afford to pay cash up front for the bare necessities. That money is now eaten up in inflated prices on nearly everything instead. Of course the economy looks like it's growing; it's being put on credit cards!
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jet in Columbus
Tired of getting bogged down by all those facts and figures? Get it right from the trenches here folks.
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
I think those facts and figures are what make an article about the economy relevant.
3 - Jet in Columbus
Matt, people can spout facts and figures till their blue in the face, but until they've lived here down in the trenches, all that facts and figures do is give the people responsible for helping us an excuse not to, and to turn their backs and ignore the real problems in this "booming" economy.
Hense the bitterness.
4 - Dave Nalle
Jet, it would help a lot if you had some non-anecdotal facts and figures and some references here, because most of your assertions just aren't supported by the facts generally accepted as given.
For example, you talk about people not being able to keep up with rising prices, yet we have historically low inflation even taking gas prices into consideration, not to mention the strongest wage increases in years. You talk about people being strung out on credit, yet the rate of borrowing increase is lower than it's been since the early 90s, and there was only 1 year back then which was lower than last year - and if you put that year aside there aren't any years since credit became generally available which were better than last year.
It's ALWAYS a mistake to try to extrapolate from your personal experiences to the general population. Your personal observations may be very relevant to your local community and to your own self and your acquaintances, but to try to draw any larger conclusions from them without referencing genuine, researched statistics just doesn't work.
Dave
5 - Jet in Columbus
We're talking about personal experience, not only my own, but many like me. Since I don't have facts and figures to back me up it's irrelevant that I'm over $43,000 in credit debt and am on the verge of bankruptcy. I've had to resort to using my cards to pay the utilities, and buy basics like groceries and medicines and doctor visits that workman's comp refuses to cover!
Because I don't have facts and figures, I don't count because someone nearly beat me to death and I'm trying to exist on $880 in unemployment a month, because my body is now so damaged that I can't work
Because I that don't have and facts and figures, and I can't get health insurance because of pre-existing conditions and even if they offered it, I couldn't afford it.
It doesn't matter that I don't have facts and figures, that I need to have blood vessles cotterized in my eyes within a month by laser, or there's a very good chance I'll lose my eyesight to diabetes and no one can or will help me pay for it. May 2nd-next tuesday, I have to go and renew my driver's license, and I'll never pass the eye test that required every four years, so I'll really be housebound and violate the lease on my car.
I don't need facts and figures to tell me that I'm so close to suicide because I've sold nearly every personal possession that means anything to me just to make the rent for the last 15 months, and drained close to $20,000 out of my savings just to make bare monthly expenses and now have nearly nothing left, and the only thing that's stopped me from taking a dive off my balcony is a few mg of Cymbalta a day.
I don't matter to anyone, and my feelings don't fucking count, because I don't have facts and figures? Guess what-I already knew that!
I'm relating a life experience, just like millions like me, who have too much fucking pride to stand up and yell "hey count me-I'm a god damned failure and a loser too!"
That first word on this article says OPINION. Excuse the hell out of me if I don't count because I need facts and figures to relate my own personal opinion.
Right now I'm sorry I said anything...
6 - Matthew T. Sussman
Well, shit, Jet. Not once did you ever use the word "I" in the article. So how are we supposed to know you're talking about yourself?
7 - Jet in Columbus
7th paragraph of comment 5...
I'm relating a life experience, just like millions like me, who have too much fucking pride to stand up and yell "hey count me-I'm a god damned failure and a loser too!"
8 - Matthew T. Sussman
Article. Not comment.
9 - Jet in Columbus
How about if I rewrite it and retitle it "Fifteen months of hell in the heartland". And since I'm to uneducated apparently for this crowd, you can edit it for me and check for grammar and spelling.
sorry I don't have 5 years of college, I'm just a regular guy...
10 - Matthew T. Sussman
Christ, nobody's talking about grammar, spelling, or even college. We're talking about context. Voice. Perspective. That's stuff you learn in high school.
Expanding on comment 6, the article mentions families, people, classes -- not once ever using the first person. Had it been a personal account, at least then it would have some heart, rather than vague descriptors of the poor and broad government blame. Granted, it wouldn't have been any closer to describing the economy or a solution than this one did. But if it's supposed to relate to life experience by removing statistical data without actually ever mentioning yourself, then the reader's just gonna be lost somewhere in the paragraphs.
Writing opinion is hard. This is free criticism for the next one.
11 - RedTard
"I'm to uneducated" - JIC
That should probably be 'too uneducated'. Just trying to be helpful.
12 - nugget
jet: how were you attacked?
13 - Jet in Columbus
#11... and not succeeding
14 - nugget
no, you said someone nearly beat you to death. what's that about?
15 - Jet in Columbus
#12 Nov 4 2004, While out on a pizza delivery 200 yards from the shop's front door.
I'd successfully saved up enough from a side-line custom art business to put a down payment for a lease on the ultimate pizza car...an inferno red 2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible. I was jumped coming out of an apartment building by 3 Somolian thugs who barel spoke English, who got mad that I only had $51 bucks on me, and a custom alarm system on my car that wouldn't allow them to steal it, even with the keys in the ignition and the engine running.
I was beaten over the head with the butt of a .45 automatic, thrown on the ground and visciously kicked and beaten by all three.
The result was 9 staples in my scalp, shock from loss of blood, two broken ribs, my left leg fractured above and below the knee, a fractured knee cap, a bone between my ankle and big toe was unrepairable and necessitated a bone graft, with a metal plate and 5 screws installed permanently.
5 months later, when finally given permission to walk on it again, another unnoticed injury caused my ankle to collapse within 4 days into a pile of gravel sized chunks of bone. External fixators later, my ankle was fused together in one unmovable piece, with a rod up through the heal of my foot and into my leg to stablize it.
I was in a cast up until December of last year, and then had to go immediately into knee surgery, because my knee couldn't be operated on with a cast on my leg. From disuse, my bones had softened and the leg fractures set in a bad position. After arthorscopic surger on my kneecap Dec 27 of last year, I have to now wait till my bones harden enough to replace my knee, because the fractures healed in such a way that there's an 18 degree angle off line. In other words if my knee cap were the center of a clock, my left leg would read read 12:26.
Im seeing a shrink because I'm irrationally terrified if a stange black person comes near me, because I couldn't identify my attackers.
Rent, utilities, groceries, uncovered doctor bills and prescriptions total aprox $1700, and I only get $880 from workman's comp.
The depression is so deep, I can wake up and sit on the edge of the bed, and think only minutes have gone by, when actually it's been over an hour.
Writing here is the only thing that's brought me back out of my shell, and I've been seeing a psychologist at Ohio State University every wednesday since it happened.
May 2nd is my birthday, and Ohio requires an eyetest to renew my license. The eye clinic won't issue a prescription for glasses because the pressure in my eyes from vessel leakage changes depending on my blood pressure and blood sugar.
The exam last friday revealed that it's progressed to the point that the arteries are not only leaking fluids, but also solids from my blood stream, which will take thousands of dollars in laser surgery that I can't afford, and no one will insure me.
Thanks for asking
16 - Jet in Columbus
For photo illustrations of the above, that I can't figure out how to publish here, click my URL
17 - Dave Nalle
Jet, I never meant to minimize the seriousness of your personal situation. It's painful, but it's also not typical. Most people haven't gone through the trials you have and don't face the problems which you do.
What I wish is that we had a system which could more effectively address the needs of individuals on a case by case basis, but that's not what government is good at. Instead it throws out some sort of mass solution which is just right for a tiny portion of the population who meet the perfect criteria, and is inadequate for many and irrelevant for just as many others.
And you're not a 'failure and a loser', because you clearly have the will to go on and the ability to express yourself, and that's enough to put you on the path out of your difficulties.
For what it's worth I do have a suggestion on the eye problem. Do you have a local Lions Club? The Lions sponsor all sorts of eye and vision programs, from free glasses to cornea transplants. They might be able to hook you up with a doctor who would do the surgery for free, or at least know of charitable sources to pay for the operation.
Dave
18 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks my friend, I'll look into it on monday. I'd planned to do all this last week, but my dad's funeral took up all my time.
I was told it took no time at all to get a prescription for glasses, and a day to have them made, then I ran into them refusing to write a prescription.
They were nice enough to write off my three hour eye exam at OSU as a Student training visit, but the surgery they can't do free.
I'm hurting, and I'm striking out at people who care about me, and that's wrong, and I apologize.
With the loss of my license, comes the loss of my beautiful car, because I'll break the terms of the lease. click my URL and you'll see why I love that car. In two years I'd have owned the first car I'd ever bought new.
19 - Elvira Black
Jet, for what it's worth, I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to you. I have not had a similar experience, except for the fact that I know what depression is like all too well. I would hope, as Dave said, that there is some sort of free treatment you can get. Perhaps you'd even qualify for Medicaid due to your income vs. expenses. Lots of folks don't realize what they are qualified for.
20 - RedTard
Jet man, that really sucks. I really feel for you. Your case is exactly where punitive damages should be used to compensate victims. It really sickens me how unfair life is.
I read a story in the news recently about a woman who felt 'uncomfortable' about a team bulding exercise at her company where the losers were play paddled with cardboard signs. Her total damage haul: $1.7 Mil (much of it punitive)
I seem to have known an inordinate amount of people in my life personally (at least 3) who have completely gamed the system, won big lawsuits and lifetime compensation, way more than $800/month, on bogus or at least very questionable injuries. (and people wonder why I'm skeptical about lawsuits)
The current system is:
Any accidental injury, real or perceived, physical or psychological with a wealthy corp or government = big bucks and lifetime care.
Cold blooded rapes, beatings, murders from common street thugs = Zero, or $800 a month of underfunded compensation.
People with real tragedies get shit, you get beat to a bloody pulp and left for dead and you get $800/month, that's crap. All those megasuit punitive damages should go to a fund and be distributed to real crime victims like yourself.
21 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Jet,
I lived in the streets for about a year after my ex kicked me out. It wasn't fun, but I sure as hell grew up.
It's not the five years of college that you're missing. It's not the writing skill either. Nor are you missing facts. You don't need college to write, just a pencil, paper and an eraser. Computers are fun, but if you can express your thoughts with a pencil and paper ( the eraser is for all the editing you gotta do), that's fine. Experience talking, Jet.
The trick is not to have the big fancy numbers - remember Samuel Clemens - "there are three kinds of falsehoods - lies, damned lies and statistics." The trick is to get the numbers that cut your way. I think you are right about the American economy - but check out Cathy Gil's articles on them to see where she gets her numbers.
There are plenty of numbers cutting your way, and you don't need an MBA to find them. You need to ask the right questions when you search for them.
22 - Jet in Columbus
Elvira #19: In my overly emotional state last night I didn't mention that last June, Social Security informed me since I'm under 65 that on total disability, I'm eligible for only $425 a month, and I won't be elible for Medicare/medicade until I've been within their program for 25 Months.
As for what I'm eligle for from other sources, I didn't find out I was diabetic until I was 4 months into this ordeal, and thought I might be able to go back to work. When I found out I couldn't, I started calling around for help with uncovered medical costs ($65 a month for blood test strips, 10.25 for Glucotrol) and discovered that due to state and city budget cutbacks local diabetes associations weren't taking new clients.
Ohio's overhaul of the welfare system has caused many people who need it to flee the state because of the strict qualifications, and limit how long you can get benifits.
I've been fighting this since November 2004. Sometimes I do well, others I get weary of it.
Brokeback Mountain brought me out of my deep depression, and I wrote a review of it on someone elses blog, and people like Dave and Chantal talked me into doing my own articles, and it's slowly brought me out of my shell, but there are really bad days.
...thanks for caring
23 - Dave Nalle
Jet, now you just need to find a way to make some money from blogging - not that any of us has hit it big that way yet. People are eager to get a free opinion or a nice quote to put in the paper or on TV, but not so excited when they have to pay for it.
Hey, did you mention that you're an artist earlier? Maybe you need to join the hordes selling t-shirts through CafePress.com - if yours had original art that was interesting they might rise above the crowd and make some money. Plus there's no outlay at all.
Dave
24 - Jet in Columbus
Dave 23: On my personal blog there's a program where you supposedly get something for when people click on the ads that Google sticks on your blogs, but after signing up for it, I still can't figure out how it works. It seems like I'd get pennies on the dollar and only get checks if I've accumulated $100 in a short amount of time.
I was more hoping that someone would notice and offer me an op ed positon. I know a few of my articles have wound up on the Cleveland Plain Dealer's site, and the first volume of my "Vocabulary lesson" seems to have shown up everywhere-encouraging, but not profitible.
I've designed some CD cover art on my computer for some local bands that never made it big, and have done some big portraits of homes and people on a custom basis. I used to get people bringing me blueprints of homes they were planning to build, and wanted me to do views of what it'd look like with shutters or adobe versus brick or siding, what if the roof peaked this way or that, should the garage face the street or to the side, that kind of thing, but the deep depression has me having to talk myself into filling the ice cube trays in the freezer for half an hour before I do it, and usually it entails a detour for a two hour nap, or just staring at the wall, trying not to think about how hopeless this all is.
Last year I sold my brand new computer and big flat screen monitor to make my car insurance payment, so I'm using this 6 year old incredibly slow machine and a CRT that's half the size of the old one, so computer art's out of the question for now.
My art career is pretty much shot with my eye problem, and I get headaches staring at the screen for long periods of time.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll e-mail you some of my stuff sometime.
25 - Jet in Columbus
RedTard #20: There's a program called Ohio Victims of Crime here, that's the only thing I could find, and it doesn't cover lost wages etc. In fact the only thing it covers is what Workman's comp covers like if this didn't happen on the job, they'd cover the hospital bills.