Despite strong economy, some struggle to get ahead

McClatchy News Service ^ | October 18, 2006 | Kevin G. Hall

[areafiftyone]

Yup and I don't even own a cellphone because I can't afford it. LOL Good thing there are lots of payphones in the city! LOL

[EBH]

Absolutely agree with you.

I would add, as we have attained the 300 million person mark, not counting illegals; a serious revolution needs to happen with our infrastructure. As our population continues to grow the existing infrastructure continues to be more strained, more demands are being made on energy, and less is being done to meet those demands. While I do believe every American needs to conserve energy, we also need to be building the infrastructure to support the population of tomorrow. Right now, we are not prepared to meet that growing demand and much of the unpreparedness lies with the democrats and the ongoing partisanship.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Too many people who make decent incomes think they're entitled to live like the wealthy, rather than be content with the blessings they have.

People (quite naturally) think they are entitled to the lifestyles they see depicted as the norm on television. If they would turn off the TV, not only would the feelings of envy and economic discomfort diminish, but they wouldn't have to listen to Howard Dean ranting any more. ;)

[Pietro]

"Women and children hardest hit, right?"

You left out minorities.

[EBH]

or worse yet,...some of us live in Cleveland.

[murphE]

I live in NY too and everyone I know here is struggling including me. But basically it has to do with being in NY. High Rents, Mortgages, taxes, etc.

Natural gas and electric are outrageous too, especially on Long Island. The lower rates promised by allowing LIPA to take over LILCO was all a big fat lie.

[durasell]

Uh these are the boom years in NY. Average salaries on Wall Street are topping $300,000 and even bartenders are approaching six figures in many places.

Really, it's not going to get much better than this.

[Redleg Duke]

"Women and children hardest hit, right?"

No, actually race baiters and Socialists hardest hit.

[LadyNavyVet]

We live in Florida on one income so I can homeschool the kids. Real estate is expensive, but we bought a few years ago before it got really outrageous. Other than that, Florida's a bargain. I've lived in 9 states, and I would consider the cost of living in Florida, other than housing, to be on a par with the Midwest. No state income taxes and a cap on property taxes. Not having to heat your home in the winter. No expensive winter clothes or boots. No snow tires. The beach is cheap entertainment.

Most of the people we know here are homeschoolers. Incomes vary, but everyone's making it and no one's starving.