purringfur very well thought out and put down for all to see. Agree we are facing a financial tsunami that will most likely dwarf the great depression.

Katie we are the worlds consumers of goods. When we just about completely stop buying anything but basics like food & gasoline then everyone around the world will feel it. Without our money buying their stuff where do they stand then? I don't care what asian country would try to go back to farming and still consume resources - you have to have money to do that too and if they have less money coming in their people will lose their jobs too and not consume like before. A viscious circle to be sure but is anyone doing a darn thing about trying to stop this financial train wreck that's slowly tearing thru this country and taking no passengers?

From what I know and from what my gut feeling is telling me, It's going to get a whole lot worse. Now is the time to prepare by putting away money and stocking up on food and water. It would be a very good idea to buy gold and silver and a gun to protect yourself, seriously.

Ron Paul: "Some Big Events Are About To Occur"
Congressman warns of "chaos about to be unleashed" on economic and political system by globalist intervention

Texas Congressman Ron Paul has warned the House that he is "convinced the time is now upon us that some Big Events are about to occur." that will cause liberty to go "into deep hibernation".

Paul told the House:

"These fast-approaching events will not go unnoticed. They will affect all of us. They will not be limited to just some areas of our country. The world economy and political system will share in the chaos about to be unleashed."

"There are reasons to believe this coming crisis is different and bigger than the world has ever experienced. Instead of using globalism in a positive fashion, it's been used to globalize all of the mistakes of the politicians, bureaucrats and central bankers." Paul continued.

Read the article here: http://www.infowars.net/articles/july2008/170708Paul.htm

or watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06awZjZTVlQ

...and if we don't have the gasoline/diesel from the foreign oil, then we won't be able to move around the
"wheat" or other foods to even feed ourselves in this country... 

Yes, those (electric cars, horses, wagons, etc.) exist. But not enough of them exist if all else fails.

Had to bring it back up. How is everyone doing now? we are worse than when i put this link up.

Good article, but it does sugar coat it. I don't know anyone in their right mind who thinks we are starting to live frugally. That started a long time ago. And where did they think the money was going to go? We've even said it on here. We are not going to go out shopping and blow the check. we need to pay bills.
and the article doesn't mention the amount of homeless and laid-off people who can't buy anything anyway.
I wish the Gov. would pay attention to business- US, for a change. The people. We're still here for now, is there anyone there?

The stock market will come back around to where it once was.  Someday.  It could be just a few years.  (Miracles do occur.)  It could be a decade or longer.  Those who are still working, be very thankful and do what you can to keep that job.  Develop new skills whenever and wherever you can.  Everyone look after your health.  Lose that and if unable to work, there goes any help w/ your medcal, dental insurance, maybe you even have 401K now w/ company matching your contribution up to a certain level?  That's found money, right there.  (For your future, at least)  If using mutual funds, go w/ a company that offers no load funds, low expense ratio.  Or if not wanting stock or bond mutual fund or balanced fund, put that 401K money in CD's.  Search for best rates at bankrate.com.  Those who can do all of the above are most fortunate.

Does the above tell you anything about my gut feeling for the economy?  It totally stinks for the retirees now.  Stocks down.  Interest rates so very low.  Expenses going up way more than their SS checks.  Anybody over 70 1/2 or have spouse w/ IRA or 401 or whatever will have to be taking their MDR at the very least.  So out it comes and most likely it will be spent just to cover the basics of life.  And IF the market does eventually climb, that isn't going to help if the $$$ are already spent out of necessity.  I'm not sure what the economists are thinking.  Are they thinking?  People in early retirement usually spend money on home remodel, hobbies, travel and things they have been putting off.  It is different now.  Much of the retired population has curtailed any and all unnecesary spending.  My parents saw double digit returns on their CD's for years.  They never had a penny in the stock market and had no need for the risk.  A bad turn of events left them w/out a penny, but that is a different story and nothing to do w/ the economy of their time.  It's different now.  With nothing but Social Security for income, the retired eat into their principal early instead of using mostly their dvidends and interest.  Most will run out of money way long before they planned.  Not many have long term care insurance, either.  That will put additional burdens on the economy. 

If we have the basics of a roof overhead, clean and nutritious food, clean and abundant water, money for utilities and gas to get to work, that has to be considered a very good life.  I hear people talk about just getting their debt paid off more than unnecessary spending.  There is a program locally to collect school supplies for the fall, because most of the teachers in our area (according to local newscast and backed up by neighbor w/ two kids in the teaching profession) spend $1,500 out of their own pocket each year just to keep all the students in their classroom w/ basic school supplies.  This was never the case when I was growing up, you know...when dinosaurs roamed the earth!

Who was it who said "it's the economy, stupid?"  Well, it was and it is, and I think it is in pretty dismal condition.