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13 Upsides to the Downturn
Memphis Flyer ^ | 12/11/2008 | Scott Weaver

Posted on 12/16/2008, 5:57:55 AM by erkyl

If you're like me, you've spent the last six months generally trying not to panic as we ride out our sputtering economy as Amelia Earhart surely rode out her Lockheed Electra. The national unemployment rate hit 6.5 percent in October, while retail sales fell 2.8 percent. Let's face it: Worrying is not going to fix this economic mess. Truth is, nobody knows how to fix it. This thing may not be fixable.

The financial geniuses who broke our economy don't even know exactly how they did it. The details of this crash seem almost magical, even to the detail people. It's a little like letting a Wall Street guy borrow your car, and he comes back not only without your car but also without a firm grasp of what a car is.

In short: We're screwed.

(Excerpt) Read more at memphisflyer.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Humor
KEYWORDS: depression; economy; humor; recession
Follow the link to read the rest...it's not only funny...there's actually some practicality to some of the upsides!
1 posted on 12/16/2008, 5:57:56 AM by erkyl
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To: erkyl

Yeah I was happy with most of it, but once I hit eight... Socialism.. not so much. Actually, any type of socialism that is going to be put into the system is going to take away from the rest of the ideas that might do some good (at least in my opinion)


2 posted on 12/16/2008, 6:05:53 AM by Toki ("Palin Pingers" Freepmail Liberity Rocks or me to get on the list today!)
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To: erkyl
Hahah I laughed till I cried....Great Depression Pictures, Images and Photos
3 posted on 12/16/2008, 6:07:56 AM by redstateconfidential (" An American Idol President")
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To: Toki

I think it was intended to be tongue-in-cheek.


4 posted on 12/16/2008, 6:31:47 AM by erkyl (The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in a period of moral crisis, stay neutral)
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To: erkyl

Lots of truth to this article, albiet comical in a not-so-comical situation.

I hope, as things get worse, that I can be as flippant about things. But, I’m a little worried. Having two kids and wife to support will do that to anyone. (Fortunatley, my wife can make an entire dinner out of sticks and stones. She bakes bread from scratch!)

My family is in reasonably good shape, as compared to some others. I still have work, but it’s in the higher end retail world and depends upon people buying the usual stuff. That may not be sustainable for long.

Our sales are off $25 million this year, which is atoundingly good, compared to my region. My job, if it ends, would be as the guy turning off the lights and locking the door. (Actually, all the doors on 17 buildings)

But, where to go from that day forward is the big concern. Kids to feed, and all. Hope it doesn’t come to that, but who can be sure? Stocking up on can goods while I can.

Good luck to everyone, we’re all gonna need it.


5 posted on 12/16/2008, 6:38:23 AM by Greenpees (Coulda Shoulda Woulda)
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To: erkyl

woops... sorry... Now you say that I see it. I like FR sarcasm tags. It helps us who are the sarcasm impaired catch the drift.


6 posted on 12/16/2008, 6:40:46 AM by Toki ("Palin Pingers" Freepmail Liberity Rocks or me to get on the list today!)
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To: erkyl

They pushed Humpty Dumpty off the wall to get Obama elected. And now all Obama’s horses and all Obama’s men are scratching their heads wondering if they can put Humpty back together again.

“Yes we can,” say they. No, they probably cannot, and they know it.


7 posted on 12/16/2008, 6:49:32 AM by advance_copy (Stand for life or nothing at all)
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To: erkyl; Toki

Here is part of a Christmas letter my sister received from a relative in a Socialist Country in Northern Europe. I’ll probably end up posting it on several threads as it shows where WE are heading. And no - this is NOT satire:

****
“We are following close the US politics and have a strong hope and feeling that your choice of new president will lead into a more positive climate conditions for the whole world and maybe a more peaceful world!

The financial recession is bad, but this has happen before many times, so in a couple of years we are back to “normal”.

A lot of companies in [our country] are going bankrupt, but now, strange enough, the government have money to repair schools, repair churches, build roads, etc., etc. for putting people into work. For these reasons the depression is ”welcome”!”

******

I don’t think Obama himself could have said this any better!


8 posted on 12/16/2008, 7:01:36 AM by 21twelve
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To: advance_copy
I'd call it satire, rather than sarcasm.
9 posted on 12/16/2008, 7:06:22 AM by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: USFRIENDINVICTORIA; advance_copy

I’d call it satire, rather than sarcasm.

I meant to add:

Good satire always has a large element of truth — like many of the points in this article.


10 posted on 12/16/2008, 7:09:26 AM by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: 21twelve

Lol, OMG.

Ask your relative if her country’s major markets went bankrupt from a money loaning scheme called “Micro-financing”.

I’m willing to bet they, too, have a Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae equivalent that has a working partnership with ACCION International.

Step 1) Mandate the banks to give out loans to people who can’t afford them

Step 2) After the banks lose enough money because everyone is foreclosing on their loans, they will stop lending money to buy homes, vehicles or get credit otherwise.

Step 3) Wait for the bankrupt companies to request a bailout, once requested, come up with a offer, but make it clear that if the government bails them out, the government has part ownership in that company

Now, the government has an excuse to buy stock of company in the private sector, thus paving the way to Socialism.


11 posted on 12/16/2008, 7:21:15 AM by jetxnet
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To: erkyl
I wonder how long it will be before starving people start hunting down the perpetrators of this catastrophe?

People like Bawney Fwank and Chucky Schumer should not be allowed to benefit from the crises that they created.

They shouldn't even be allowed to survive it.

12 posted on 12/16/2008, 7:27:37 AM by E. Pluribus Unum (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the opium of the people.)
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To: erkyl

There’s an “upside” to 25% unemployment (comparable to the last Great Depression).... it’s that you’re one of the 75% employed... LOL..


13 posted on 12/16/2008, 10:25:06 AM by Star Traveler
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To: erkyl
"...nobody knows how to fix it. "

nobody?

what would Reagan do?

14 posted on 12/16/2008, 11:57:12 AM by wny
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