[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

With all of this pessimism, how are we ever going to have a substantial recovery? When I tried to warn folks (and especially my students) that we were headed for hard times, I was absolutely crucified and ridiculed by them and their parents...constantly. In fact, through political maneuvering, they caused me to have to change jobs.

So many owe me an apology I will never hear. Life is ridiculous. You are condemned if you try to warn people and after the fact will be condemned if you don't. Raw stupidity.

[cripplecreek]

Many of my liberal cousins are no longer ridiculing me about my dire warnings. Today, they’re questioning me about food storage and maximizing garden space.

I fact, I think they’re actually moving to a more moderate center politically.

[Oatka]

You are condemned if you try to warn people and after the fact will be condemned if you don't.

Amen. I've been warning people since NAFTA kicked in and ever since "Free Trade" was the latest/greatest buzz word. Deer-in-the-headlights or "right wing kook" response. I gave up and have assumed a bunker mentality. When others now discuss the economy I just nod and smile and make sure my stash is fresh.

Sidebar: When NAFTA was under discussion, one of my boys worked on the railroad in Monroeville, AL. He echoed my thoughts to the people there and got the same response I did. A year after NAFTA, Vanity Fair, the one industry in town, moved to Mexico. The hue and cry went up to boycott VF. My boy said "Why didn't you raise Hell when NAFTA was up for a vote?" Answer: "Whut's a NAFTA?" He too, just nods and smiles now.