Posted on 04/25/2010 3:51:15 PM PDT by blam
Growing Anger At Collapse Of U.S.A. Standard Of
Living Politics / US Politics
Apr 25, 2010 - 07:03 AM
By: Global Research
Hiram Lee writes: A series of recent studies conducted by the Pew Research Center shed new light on the scope of the economic crisis in the US and the level of hostility the majority of the American population holds for the US government.
Released in March, before the passage of the Obama administration’s health care legislation, a survey entitled “Health Care Reform—Can’t Live With It, or Without It” indicates that 92 percent of Americans give the national economy a negative rating. No fewer than 70 percent of the respondents report having suffered job-related and financial problems in the past year, an increase from 59 percent the year before. Fifty-four percent report someone in their home has been without a job and looking for work in the past year, up from 39 percent in 2009.
The poll saw an aggravation of conditions in every area of economic life studied the year before. Increasing numbers of people are reporting difficulty receiving or affording medical care (26 percent) or paying their rent or mortgage payments (24 percent). More Americans faced problems with collections and credit agencies (21 percent), or had mortgages, loans or credit card applications denied (19 percent).
As could be expected, the poorest Americans are suffering the most. Some 44 percent of those making $30,000 per year or less report difficulty obtaining medical care, compared to 11 percent of those making $75,000 per year or more. A similar gap can be found in the category of rents and mortgages, with 37 percent of those making $30,000 or less reporting difficulty making rent or mortgage payments, compared to 11 percent of those making $75,000 or more. However, the percentage of those facing difficulties paying rent has increased dramatically for both groups since 2009.
Large numbers of workers polled in the study say they have little confidence in job security and prospects for the future, with almost half (49 percent) saying it is “very or somewhat likely” they will suffer “job-related financial stress” in the next year. Twenty-five percent of workers say they expect to be forced to take a pay cut this year, while 24 percent expect to be laid off.
The Pew survey found that 85 percent of Americans reported difficulty finding jobs in their communities. This and other statistics revealing the increasingly dismal employment opportunities facing millions of Americans are provided context in another study released this month by the Pew Economic Policy Group.
“A Year or More: The High Cost of Long-Term Unemployment” reports that no fewer than 44 percent of unemployed Americans met or exceeded the standard measure of long-term unemployment (six months or more) in March 2010. This marks the highest rate for long-term unemployment levels since World War II.
In addition to this, the Pew study reports that “23 percent of the nearly 15 million Americans who are unemployed have been jobless for a year or more.” This translates to 3.4 million people, “roughly equivalent,” the study points out, “to the population of the state of Connecticut.”
These alarming numbers should be considered along with findings in another recent Pew research study entitled “The People and Their Government,” released April 18. This report finds that “by almost every conceivable measure Americans are less positive and more critical of government these days.”
Only 22 percent of Americans say their government can be trusted, according to the new survey. The report puts this among the lowest measures of trust in the government in half a century.
The study also shows across-the-board declines in approval ratings for numerous federal agencies, including the Department of Education, the Food and Drug Administration, the Social Security Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Forty-three percent say the government has a negative effect on their daily life, up from 31 percent in 1997.
While approval ratings for the government are remarkably low, with 65 percent saying the federal government and congress have a negative impact “on the way things are going in the country,” the approval ratings for other major institutions are as low or lower. Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed say banks and other financial institutions have a negative impact on the way things are going in the country, while 64 percent say “large corporations” have a negative impact. Some 57 percent say the national news media has a negative impact, while 49 percent say labor unions have such an impact.
The report states that “more than six-in-ten (62%) say it is a major problem that government policies unfairly benefit some groups while nearly as many (56%) say that government does not do enough to help average Americans.”
Taken as a whole, the Pew studies from March and April offer additional insight into the growing social misery under conditions of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and the outrage it is generating.
Wide layers of the population, who have seen trillions of dollars funneled from the public treasury into the coffers of Wall Street executives while their own living standards have been assaulted, their jobs slashed, their children’s schools closed, and vital social programs such as Medicare cut by billions of dollars, have no faith in the US government to secure their most basic social needs.
The corporate-controlled news media, along with the major institutions overseeing the nation’s educational needs and basic food and medical resources, are considered corrupt and untrustworthy, contributing to the suffering of millions.
President Barack Obama, continuing to pose as a populist man of the people when he finds it necessary or beneficial, stands exposed as the chief representative of the interests of the American ruling elite and the standard bearer in the assault on the working class.
The restructuring of society taking place, in the direct interests of the corporate-financial elite and at the expense of the working population, is not occurring unnoticed. The American and international working class will inevitably find itself drawn into struggle against the present, untenable form of social organization.
Yes, this was the kind of “change” Obama is bringing. European style sustainable living. A relative who travels alot on business to Europe says we will soon be living in this type of housing. There will be plazas where people hang out all night, because they don’t want to go back to their humble home. Bread and circuses for the masses to keep them silent....As you say, many Europeans have accepted it and I’m afraid it will be the same here.
My family is certainly suffering from this horrific economy. I don’t know if did not plan right or what, but even the prices of things are bothering us like never before.”
Lots of prices were just as bad a couple of years ago.
It is just that now that you might NOT have as much DISPOSABLE income, you are seeing what lots of us have seen for years. Sorry this is bothering you, but welcome to the club of those of us who have been frugal with our power usage, gasoline, etc, and we are expecting mandatory cuts of double digit percentages in the future from The One-NObama.
I have had an electric bill that is much lower than my neighbors, but I have no air conditioning or swamp cooler. I don’t have lights on where I am not using the area. I don’t make trips to town unless I can make a number of stops. There are a number of ‘shopping lists’ in this house—for the grocery store—Wal Mart—Hardware store/Lowes—ranch supply for salt blocks, etc.
Whenever possible, I call neighbors and we make a trip together, with coolers —2 or 3- in the car or truck for perishable items. Frozen Soc Sec hasn’t frozen the cost of house insurance, car registration, horse trailer registration, or propane. I am buying more house brands of foods than ever before in my 70 years of life. I buy sale items, case lots, and prepare foods which I then put into the freezer in individual servings. Pork roast on sale? Buy the biggest one, and put up 24 ++ different individual servings. Also eating peanut butter sandwiches instead of Oscar Mayer stuff. (And to think that many years ago, I worked for Oscar Mayer).
I keep bringing that up when we see these glorified golf carts that are the “new” cars. Something that won’t survive an impace with an 18-wheeler. Something that can’t haul 4 bags of groceries.
It’s just a step in the weening process to get people out of their cars.
NObama said he was ‘going to level the playing field”.
Most people heard: “We are going to have more & more of a better living standard while we stay on welfare”.
I heard: I, Barack Hussein Obama, will reduce the working class taxpaying legal citizens of the USA to dust, while I take all the EARNED wealth from those who have worked hard and deserve their rewards.
One of the first and largest strikes was to stiff the SECURED BONDHOLDERS of GM & Chrysler. For those who have no idea what such an investor is entitled to, ask your tax preparation person.
Not only the standard of living, but the quality of life!
I didn't say "depreciation".... I said "de-valuing" the currency... which, is essentially the same thing as inflation. It's just the slow, painful process of making each dollar worth less and less. Well, we HOPE it's "slow"... sometimes, the market decides it should be swift indeed.
Right, I’m with you.
If you are on a tight budget you can only plan for so much. It's the same at my house too.
I watched the whole thing. It’s really sad to see such an ignorant POS that revels in other peoples misery (taxes). Seven kids?! That explains her ignorance. She was flat on her back when she should have been getting educated.
had to copy that.
Well, at least smoking isn’t allowed anymore.
You think this is bad, wait a while.
Yup, I’m a pessimist, aka realist.
It won’t be atrocious, we’ll just be like some Scandinavian country. But, the growth and engine of progress will move to the East.
Our reservoir of science and high education will keep us floating for a while, but in another generation.......
“...I was thinking of the transition period”
Yea - that’s the toughest. When the tanning booths and pedicures go away, look for women on the streets.
“We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK.” - Barack the Kenyan “
His opponents can campagin on the “True to his word” motto.
“The Kenyan will invite foreign troops into the U.S. to put down unrest fomented by right-wing hate groups.”
Boyoboy would I hate to be one of those invited troops....
“Boyoboy would I hate to be one of those invited troops....”
Yessir.
Just wait till the fun really starts.
“Well, at least smoking isn’t allowed anymore.”
When was smoking banned?
From OafofOffice:
I just now watched the Glen Beck show in entirety. I only had bits and pieces when I posted earlier. I know I have the original article on Obama funding the Global exchange somewhere in my files.
BUT, here is what Glen Beck did not say. In 2006 when Goldman sachs bought 10% in this redistribution of wealth scam, Obama also bought shares of goldman sachs. I have posted this before but it so relevant again. This was all planned and Obama was going to get his share.
Obama 2005 financial filings.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/congress/fin_dis/2005/o000167.pdf
stocks;
AVI biopharma
Sky Terra
mutual fund;
Vanguard
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/congress/fin_dis/2006/o000167.pdf
Obama 2006 financial filings;
STOCKS
Purchase GOLDMAN SACHS 2006, 2006,2006
Mutual funds,
Vanguard
Nuveen
Marshall prime money
PIMCO
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/congress/fin_dis/2007/o000167.pdf
2007 FINANCIAL FILINGS
Pretty much the same as 2006.
Obama Vanguard accounts.
http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread482681/pg1
87 posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 2:59:04 AM by OafOfOffice
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