Things are getting bad.

well, we only have about 4 more days to really see where this is all headed. im sure, after much puffing up of chests and dominant posturing, a "compromise" will be reached which will push this whole thing back for at least 6 mths. then we get to deal with it at the beginning of 2011 and it can be the primary campaign issue for 2012.

it sucks because the politicians are so far removed from the people they are elected to represent, that they have no clue what we actually go thru. they live in a glass bubble where everything is ok. I fear that a full on economic collapse is only a year or so away. this will, unfortunately, lead to a worldwide economic crisis due to the US$ being the worlds reserve currency.

if (when) this new great depression happens its going to lead to revolution. sure the past depression was bad, but people are so jaded now-a-days that they will not think twice about picking up a gun and marching to DC or their state capital to take justice into their own hands. the govt may call for martial law, but if they aren't paying the soldiers, i'm not sure if they will actually follow that order like they are brainwashed to.

I think part of the military will revolt against the govt itself. if they are smart soldiers will ask themselves why they joined the military....to protect this country from enemies outside and within. they should then recognize that the people in charge of this country have become the enemy, and that the military should act autonomously and in conjunction of the people.

I fear for my family because we are struggling right now, just like so many here and around the world. i'm 36 and going to back to school to get some sort of a degree to try and be better employable but i don't think it matters what industry you try to get into...none of them will be hiring much and wages will be significantly less. the only thing i can say that would be good about the crash is that my student loans will, possibly, become worthless. my wife and i filed bankruptcy last year, so im hoping a new economic system will mean a clean slate.

sorry for the rant but this stuff really chaps my butt. the fact that politicians are so blind to what is actually going on!! and it doesn't matter who you vote for! they campaign on one thing, then do whatever they want when they get in office! greed, power, corruption....that's what is bringing down this once great nation. pure hubris of America.

reply to post by orangutang


Where abouts in Oz? I'm from Canberra though originally from South West Sydney.

Australia is not as bad - yet. But there is some softening and there is the problem of a two speed economy which the Reserve bank of Australia is having trouble with how to deal with the increasing inflation while not just mortgage holders, but businesses are beginning to really feel some pain. Our interest rates are the highest in the developed world so we can move them down if need be to help stimulate spending and the economy, but with increasing inflation it is not likely. Interest rates, monetary policy, is proving to be a useless tool for managing inflation and the broader economy in current economic conditions.

oh wow, this thread really saddens me to read. I am working and living as a manager in Indonesia, a developed country and make more money then people stated here from the USA.. shocking

It will get bad, but it is part of the plan, tptb won't wait too long to offer people a solution, and it will be total enslavement, and unfortunately most people around the world will accept it. Most people are not really fighters, and will instead comply with tptb plan for a One World Order, where they control everything, and we have no rights so that people can have a plate of food for their family and them. They have been counting on this for decades, and their plan will succeed unfortunately. People have been slowly indoctrinated into accepting to give up their rights as long as they will have some food, and let's be honest how many people will give up the chance of getting food from the One World Order to feed their families or themselves, over giving up their rights?

reply to post by nagabonar


I live north of you and it's amazing how the exact opposite is happening where I live. More and more cars are hitting the roads and it's quite hard to cross the roadways now since they seem to be endless. Garlic is now more than 2 US $ a kilo. More people are buying expensive phones, The intercity buses now have wifis. A giant mall is under construction and rumor has it that more are coming. Police pensions are being increased. etc.

reply to post by camaro68ss

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reply to post by eldard


exactly the same here in bali/indonesia ... 5 new mega hotels are opening nearby, everyone is getting a car now... construction and development happening at fast pace ... prices are up as well.. but its soo easy to get a job ... during the last 2 years i turned down 10 job offers (yeap people were asking me) although i am working in a fairly common field - internet sales....

reply to post by surrealist

N.E.new sth wales, above the frost line. there is a high annual rainfall here and plenty of forest/wood close by with lots of meat jumping around in an emergency. many fruit trees (shoulda put 'em in a long time ago)have been planted such as mango, orange, other citrus, mulberry,pawpaw, banana and pineapples grow but they take a long time. i dont expect it will be easy, but we'll adjust to it. some fish would be nice in our small dam but have not looked into it yet.

I just got out on my own almost 2 years ago, married, and have a daughter and step son. I WISH I could rewind and never move out of my parents house. I moved out after securing a job at a marketing firm making $17 an hour, and my wife at a call center being paid-per-call so her checks came out at up to $3000 monthly. We were doing great! Then her call center closed up, and the jobs sent to the Philippines. Not long after that my job folded as well, and after a couple of months we decided to stop wasting our savings and move in with my parents. 5-6 months later we had to relocate to a totally different state in order for me to start a job where I get paid $11 and hour. While it's better than nothing, it's just a slap in the face that I'm STRUGGLING to pay what some people would consider a "cheap" rent. We can't spend money on anything because when we do get a LITTLE extra money, my baby needs diapers, my step-son needs something and they do come first. My step son thinks we're rich, and I'm glad. He doesn't see that I have hairs that are quickly turning silver, (at 19 years old) over this financial bull crap.

After reading through this thread, I've decided to expedite my plan to secure my family and my wife and I are getting a couple of books, a bunch of seeds, a few terrain and road maps of Georgia, and lots of ammo.

As Americans, we have been betrayed. TPTB's wars and the largest counterfeiting ring in history (the fed) have screwed us and now those of us who MAKE THIS COUNTRY WORK are suffering. WE did all the dam work. WE did everything from paying taxes, to doing the labor and WE are getting the ass end of it.

I know I can't be the only one, but I really wish I didn't have children right now, not for MY sake, but for their own. I wish they didn't have to grow up in this.

reply to post by My.mind.is.mine


I totally understand about the "slap in the face" thing. I make about $11/hr and my wife is a stay at home mom. our daughter is 14mts, but not for one second do i wish we never had her. I hope that "we" get our collective s**t together and get thru this mess ASAP.

The reason i don't wish that we never had our daughter is because in spite of the world falling down around us, the financial struggles and having to suck up our pride and get food stamps...that little girl is the joy of my life. she makes me smile and laugh. she helps me forget about the crap. she is the reason that we tighten our belts and go to school to try and better ourselves (me and my wife). not sure what a college degree will be worth in the near future, but i'm banking on the fact that it will be worth more than not having one.

even if TSHTF my daughter and my wife will be what keeps me going. as bleak as it all seems right now, i'm sure we will persevere. humans are incredibly resilient and americans have shown the ability to success against great odds in the past. we will again.

Hi,

That was very well written, that is just how I feel.

I am comming into work everyday with less and less to do. I am also very very afraid that my company can´t stay open.

We went from 140+ to just below 40 now, so it sure doesnt fell like I am safe. Besides that I am the last hired.

So yes, this is a very scary situation and I can feel it in my stomach everyday.

It is making me sick.

My wife and me just moved in to a new house in order for me to start the job 5 month ago. If I am let off we will have to move again. That means we need to pay 3 months of rent and if I dont have job and my wife dont have job we are even more economically screwed than we already are.

Also, my younger brother age 27, is also out of job. So he is living with my wife and me cutting grass etc just to help a little. His situation isn´t that funny for him either.

The worst part is, that we are not the only onces in this situation. It is getting more and more commen that there is no work.

It just feels so awefull, like the whole system is going down or something.

Thanks for reading.

reply to post by iNkGeEk


True, I never looked at it that way. But you're right, I probably woulda given up to some degree by now if it weren't for them. They're always smiling and laughing. It definitely a blessing.

For the record, food stamps are a HUGE help. Without them the situation would be at least 25x worse. I never noticed how much money we spent on food until we got food stamps. Soooo humbling I swear. Everytime I see peopel who are wearing the most expensive clothes, and putting stupid crap on their cars and wearing $125 shoes I don't get jealous I get ANGRY. Those shoes cost the same as a small seed bank, and they will GET DIRTY AND OLD! People don't really think about the reality of a situation and the reality of this situation is just that... reality.

I know one thing, I'd be happy to join a cave city with the people on this thread... I think that's one thing that people should plan for is survival GROUPS. Doing it alone will be very taxing. Imagine being 1 man with a wife and 2 children tryna survive and stay afloat. Better to be 3 men, 3 women, and 6 children that way yall can pool ideas, skills, and resources and will have a better chance. Not to mention kids can play with each other... Just an idea.

reply to post by My.mind.is.mine


100% agree. groups would be way more efficient that trying to go about it on your own. may the dirty hippies were on to something with communes.

reply to post by iNkGeEk


You get the guitar, and firewood. I'll get the weed, and matches. We can live in another realm until we die.. (no kids getting high allowed though)

I really do not know if this will help but this is one of the Internet resources I use that covers a wide array of different helpful business topics and techniques..

www.businessballs.com...

It info ranges from CV/Resume writing to marketing to cold calling techniques... it also has other topics like stress management and ideas to help you sleep...

At the least it might give someone enough of the right words/techniques to blag a way into a new career..

My thoughts are with you all...

I feel for you but I must tell you to stick in there it will get better.

I am 26 years old and have a young family that i have done my best to take of. I must say last year I was in your situation and was working in the construction industry and watching it slow down a lot... and saying goodbye to my co-employees who were getting laid off. I barely had enough money to survive from week to week which caused struggles between me and my wife. I must tell you though that I am not like a lot of people, I am constantly on the go thinking of new ideas and changing my mind all the time. Suddenly something amazing happened, instead of getting laid off from my construction job I had to quit to join another company in a different field of work. I am now making more money than I have ever made in my life (100k+/year). My family has full health/dental/vision and there are 0 money problems. This didn't just land on me though nor was it a favor from a friend or family member. I worked very very hard to get where I am today. I often lend my hand to some of my friends that are struggling to offer them the same opportunity but they turn me down because they don't want to make the sacrifices I make to get where I am. Its not easy out there in the streets and things aren't just handed to you. Sometimes it takes more than looking for jobs and sending your resume... opportunities don't just fall out of the sky.. at least they haven't for me.

I work as a contract specialist for a small consulting firm. I have to admit...these times are awful, although it could be a lot worse. I often get that feeling of uncertainty that must have plagued nations just before the great depression or the one before that. If only people had paid more attention to the silent generation who lived through these times.
Ron Paul happens to be one of these last relics of the silent generation, the one before the baby boomer generation and perhaps this is why he is making the most sense above all. He's been through it. It must be a shame to see him witness the same mistakes repeated in his life time.

It's not particularly easy anywhere. My #1 recommendation is to leave the United States.

There are plenty of countries still where the cost of living is lower, yet the standard of living is higher than the United States. Most importantly, research where the jobs are and try to pick up a second language. Or, if you have a decent nest egg, you can probably hire a translator/personal assistant at your destination country to help you get settled in. The first year will be the most expensive, after that it should drop off at least 50-60% if you do your research. It takes a good three years or so to really get settled in and comfortable in a foreign environment - like Eastern Europe. It's more difficult for a family.

Develop your online and social networking skills, keep your resume up to date, be willing to go where others are not - be willing to work for less than you've made in the United States. Note that living outside the US - you still keep your citizenship, but you can qualify for up to $96k of yearly earnings to be TAX EXEMPT provided you stay outside of the United States for at least 330 (or maybe 335) days of every 365 - working for a foreign company.

It takes research, planning, and a willingness to experience significant changes in lifestyle and possibly everything else. A second language can be very helpful but is not always necessary. I only speak English, but leaving the United States is the single best decision I ever made - living in Eastern Europe, now for over five years. Check your priorities, see what you can live without. In my case, with where I live, there is absolutely no need for a vehicle, most things are within immediate walking distance, the rest might cost $3-4 for a taxi if I don't want to go on the $ .25 public transportation.

Whatever the case - don't rely upon TOEFL English to get you a paycheck - in some cases you can do well with it - I know a lot of these guys that struggle though. One area to research right now is Kazakhstan - not the best environment, but plenty of oil jobs there; and there is a need for TOEFL./English Teachers there particularly in conjunction with government employees trying to come up to speed.

reply to post by USXpat


I'm sure a lot of us would have no problem with relocation for the sake of our families, but are already in situations where we can't even afford to leave America. It costs money to get there, especially without being willing to go without a definite place to stay while you have a family.

I hear ya!

I am co-owner of a construction firm in a developing country. Confidence is also dwindling here. Let me tell you - it was one hell of a road to walk to get to the point where our business is today. My country is considered "not-business-friendly", we have been paying off-the-charts interest rates for as long as I can remember. Our politician-and-governance-system has deteriorated in the last couple of years to one of the most corrupt in the world.

As a developing (and very beautiful) country, we rely very much on tourism and international investment. Unfortunately our government has managed to slap that horse very firmly in the teeth.

My partner and myself were seriously considering immigrating to the USA or Canada - we are both highly qualified (I hold two degrees and am studying at the moment for a third), and felt that with our experience and dedication we could build a better life elsewhere. But with the international situation being what it is at the moment, we really feel that the proverbial sh#t is about to hit the fan everywhere.

There is no point in running anywhere. There is no point in making serious immigration decisions. The USA was the beacon of light on the horizon - the place of hope for intelligent individuals wishing to live in a fair and equal society. If ya can't run there anymore - well - what is the point?

I don't wish to sound negative here. I am just painting my side of the picture - especially in response to an earlier post suggesting that one should make a move to a country where the cost of living is cheaper. I am supposed to live in one of those countries. The grass looked a hell of a lot greener on your side. After years of back-breaking work, we have hardly made a dent in our debt, and have absolutely no money saved. That is just an "acceptable" situation here.

To get back to the construction industry - we are facing similar problems in my country. Just in my immediate (and relatively rural) area, four major competitors have already closed doors since the beginning of the year.

I do believe that you need to play open cards with your wife. I am not married, but I have been in a "co-habitating" relationship with my partner for 12 years. We run our construction business together. As the female I have been making all the administrative and financial decisions. All the stresses have been weighing equally on me. And as a unit we have been able to provide two sets of solutions - objectivity from your partner may really just give you some fresh perspective! Really - life partners should be able to stand together and face any situation! You may just be surprised at how new doors will open for you by just being able to openly talk about the situation with someone you trust.

I really commend you for wanting to protect your family. It is really admirable. But we will have to stand together. Humanity is in for its toughest ride yet. Not only from an economic perspective - but most people I deal with have the feeling that something major is about to happen...

Now is the time when we can alter course, lay in a direction and create the best future possible for humanity. This is the crossroad. It is time to stand together and lay claim to our power.

All the best wishes to you and my fellow earthlings.