You know what? We’re all so friggin’ spoiled it ain’t funny.
Yes, we’re miserable (by design, I believe). But go rent “The Grapes of Wrath” and watch it.
There is NO comparison between The Great Depression and what we’re going through now. If we had to endure anywhere close to what they did, I dare say more than half of us would rather commit suicide.
Well, no, it isn’t worse than the Great Depression.
People forget that about one-third of the US workforce was employed on farms in the 20’s and 30’s, and US ag output was a huge component of the US economy still. When the Dust Bowl hit, there was a huge and severe impact on a lot of people in ways that are not being duplicated now.
Money lost? You can make more.
Farming land lost due to desertification? That takes far longer to recover than re-funding a retirement account. As an example, farmland in some midwest counties most affected by the drought of the 30’s didn’t regain pre-1930 valuation until the 1980’s (when adjusted for inflation).
While this is very much a situation where our levels of debt, the banking system and other aspects have elements of the Depression in them, we can thank the Almighty that we don’t also have the Dust Bowl.
This is a ‘’Depression’’? Anyone who believes that bunk I’d suggest you find some member of the Greatest Generation. A WW2 vet or the widow of one and ask them if this looks like a ‘’Depression’’ to them. Guarantee they’ll laugh in your face and say “Sonny, you have no idea what a ‘’depression is’’. My 89 year-old mother knows what a depression is.’’ As bad as things are now’’, she told me, ‘’they can be a whole lot worse’’.
Take this for whatever it is worth to you:
Here on the Georgia coast, my Man On the Streets guesstimate is one in five jobless. Can’t find work, lost a job, ( sometimes several in a row ) or just gave up trying.
20%, in other words.
Among young black folks? Closer to 50%.
My city is 58% black, and you’d be surprised at how much high-fiving, thumbs-up, hat-waving and hoo-rahing my “Don’t Blame Me, I voted for Sarah” bumper sticker keeps getting. Not all black folks are fools.
Hope. Change. Etc...
Elections have consequences...
Bump