recession

You can barely listen to the news or partake in water cooler conversation without hearing the word uttered. Gas prices are the equivalent of highway robbery, even milk and eggs cost exponentially more than they did a few months ago. Other tell tale signs is that the dollar is practically worthless and the price of GOLD is once again skyrocketing. I can't say that I am surprised, though. I saw this coming nearly 8 years ago when a bonehead was elected to be president. I'm serious, you can ask my ex. Though, I predicted it would only take 5 years to hit, you couldn't fool me.

Anyway, what's really disturbing to me is my observations driving around each day; the growing number of boarded up houses in Chicago...a direct result of the sub prime meltdown. Its just sad because each house symbolizes yet another family down on their luck, possibly homeless...who knows. I'm sure other cities like Sacramento, which are being hit harder by the foreclosure crisis, are even more depressing to see.

But, as I drive down these streets with abandoned & boarded up houses, I can't help but think about the social ramifications of it all. Debt has so long been ingrained in the American culture that like many others, I can't remember a time where I was truly debt free. I get paid so I can adequately pay another bill and attempt to stay afloat until next month, when I will do it all over again. It's like a rite of passage in the U.S. or something...and the finance companies, they greedily gobbled it up for as long as they could. Well, it appears now that our beloved country is paying tri-fold for that greedy mentality. The social ramifications have spilled over into every crevice of the economy and will not go away as easily as it was put there. In other words: we are in deep shit!

The next question remains: How do we fix this crisis? How do we prevent the eminent recession? Who will help us help ourselves get out of debt? Who will cut up our credit cards, consolidate our loans, and set realistic budgets for us to follow? Who??!! Because it appears we do not have the will power to do it for ourselves?!!

They say the government should lead by example, but yet our country is currently facing the largest deficit in history.

Despite all these DEPRESSING facts, I have hope...One thing is for certain: I AM READY FOR CHANGE. I am a woman on a mission to disillusion myself from the glory of "material" purchases. I have closed out a number of high APR cards, and am reducing costs like removing my HBO package from Comcast (which never has anything noteworthy on it anyway!) Little steps, I know..but maybe after some time it will really pay off. I just hope the future face of our country adheres to the same mentality. After all, the White house doesn't need that $3,000 toilet bowl cover, now does it??!!

food for thought

"Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime."
Aristotle

When did helping the homeless find a meal become a crime? Cities across the nation from Orlando to Las Vegas have begun penalizing local charities which are feeding the homeless on City property...simply because they think it will help lower crime rates and indirectly, increase tourism to their glorious cities. In Dallas, for instance, you have to get certified to handle food and apply for permits just to serve the homeless in city parks. Failure to follow this procedure can lead to a hefty $2,000 fine.

Wait a minute...isn't it obvious that further making poverty worse in your communities by denying people of the basic right to eat - won't lower crime rates, but increase them? And, obviously, if crime rates are up, people sure aren't going to be running over each other to visit your city.

This government falls victim to never seeing the big picture in deep seeded issues. They opt for the cosmetic fix, instead of trying to heal them at their source. Or maybe they just don't give a fuck?!

This country is disturbing on so many levels.



For those curious, the article can be found here.

spring is here

It's a whopping 72 degrees here in Chicago and for those who don't know - that's over 20 degrees above normal for this time of year. While most people are out enjoying the care-free summer like weather out there, I can't help but cringe just a little. This is Global Warming at it's finest.

Don't mean to sound cynical, but I'm just saying. Open your eyes and see what we are actually doing to this planet. While we are basking in the sunshine of warmer weather, ice caps are melting...

that is all...you can go back to sipping your mocha lattes now.

my crystal ball prediction...

Don't let the falling gas prices fool you...shortly after the Novemeber elections, I predict they will skyrocket once again. It may not be the day afterward, but come January 2007, we will be bent over yet again at the gas pump. Damn crooked government officials...

Cartoon Source

Anyone else peeved that gas prices are steadily rising each day yet all the big oil companies profits are just through the roof ?!! Can you say PRICE GOUGING ?!!

discussed: [gas prices]

an unique alternative to fossil fuels?

Whoa. This article was really refreshing and revolutionary in terms of finding creative ways to save money on gas and help out the environment in the process(this is the first I heard of this how about you?). Diesel Fuel Drivers Eye Vegetable Oil As Cheap Fuel. How cool is that ? I can totally see myself cruising in my car on vegetable oil. Too bad my car doesn't run on Diesel. :(

If I had money I would buy myself one of the Hybrid cars, but unfortunately I am saving for a house and just recently paid off my Corolla. Needless to say, I am enjoying not having a car payment and truthfully, I love my car! It's the only car I ever known to actually fix itself (no lie). Truth is, I will probably drive my ride until it falls to a tired heap and refuses to move anymore. Then, I will buy a hybrid.

off the dome

We are trapped in a world
of pain and suffering
mishaps and mayhems
broken families
with no fathers
crying mothers
asking why?
Tons of sex & drugs
Hardcore thugs
Throwing war signs on the corner
government officials lying
little children dying
on the street
being slain before our eyes
symbolizing our own demise
So many broken souls
with nothing to eat
Can it be the end?
there is no love to calm it all away
Instead we work
the daily grind of bones
leaving us empty and alone
looking to the sky for guidance
To the riddle dubbed life
we got so many problems
and are stuck in the middle
of limbo and hell
and if you can’t tell
We are losing the battle
Living in a time of hypocrisy
Is this what life is supposed to be?
Could it be the subliminal participation?
Of you, you, and yes me?

yet another reason bush should be beat down

Bush is such an ass. I don't know why I even read articles with him his name even in it. He never ceases to raise my blood pressure and piss me off. Now he has waged a war of sorts with the gay and lesbian community, citing that "I strongly believe marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman," and "I am troubled by activist judges who are defining marriage." Of couse he is talking about how San Francisco & Massachusetts are warming up to the idea of gay marriage (It's about time someone did).

Anyways, back to BUSH...and his little dick...hee hee..I read what he said & all I could think of was "What a crock of shit...not wanting judges to define marriage" As if he is not pushing his own ideals and beliefs to try define what marriage should be for millions of other people. Instead, he wants to pass laws making these people (who have been denied so many things because of their sexual orientation i.e. health benefits for their partner, no formal process to state their undying love for one another, etc) feel like their love isn't worth celebrating. The way I figure it, I think marriage is a right, not a privledge. All I know if I was into females (which I am not..I'm strictly into PENIS), and I found a woman that made me feel like I was complete, I would be damned if the president, some judge, or even a priest told me I could not marry this person. Its just another form of discrimation that has been added on the list right beside racism and sexism...and its sickening. I hope that the Massachusetts and S.F. rulings help foster new hopes for gay and lesbians in every city and state...And that Bush gets booted this November...

President 'troubled' by San Francisco's gay marriages