July 12, 2008 at 13:28:46 TEN SIGNS AMERICANS ARE IN DEEP ECONOMIC TROUBLE by Allen L Roland www.opednews.com

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President George Bush reminisces of the days when US currency had actual value ~ before he destroyed the dollar with his economic policies.

Contrary to recent comments from Phil Gramm and John McCain that America is a ' nation of whiners ' and our economic problems ' are just psychological ' ~ Americans are in big economic trouble and it's going to get much worse: Allen L Roland

Wednesday, in an interview with the Washington Times, former Sen. Phil Gramm, the so-called "econ brain" of presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), remarked that the United States has "sort of become a nation of whiners." "Thank God the economy is not as bad as you read in the newspaper every day." "You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession," he said.

Wednesday afternoon, McCain said that Gramm "does not speak for me," despite the fact that Gramm's comments mirror what McCain said in April: "A lot of our problems today, as you know, are psychological."  

All of these oblivious comments came in spite of fresh evidence that we are now officially in a bear market ~ which Bush and McCain have yet to acknowledge. See one minute Video: Wall Street Sinks Further Into Bear Market  

Here are 10 real examples of how Americans are hurting in the current economy and it's not whining or psychological ~( Courtesy of American Progress report )http://www.americanprogressaction.org/progressreport/2008/07/pr20080711

HOUSING FORECLOSURES INCREASING: As a result of the subprime lending crisis, "housing foreclosures nationwide were up over 50% in June compared with the same month in 2007." In California alone, foreclosures have reached an average of 500 per day.

HOMELESSNESS INCREASING: The number of homeless people in America over the age of 50 is "steadily increasing."

HEALTHCARE COSTS RISING: According to a report by the Government Accountability Office, "health-care costs are growing much faster than the economy." Costs are rising so significantly, some Americans are delaying retirement.

GAS PRICES RISING: The national average gas price is $4.09, up 33 percent from this time last year. Gas prices are now expected to hit "$4.25 by the fall and then stay at more than $4 a gallon until the end of 2009."

JOB LOSSES INCREASING: In the first six months of this year, a total of 438,000 jobs have been lost, bringing unemployment to 5.5 percent. The CEO of Bank of America commented, if unemployment continues to rise, "all bets are off."

FOOD COSTS RISING: "U.S. food prices rose 4 percent in 2007" -- the fastest rise in 17 years -- and as a result, food stamps have considerably less buying power.

HEATING AND ELECTRICITY COSTS RISING: Heating oil costs across the North are expected to be "up 60 percent from last year," and utilities across the country are "raising power prices up to 29%."

REAL WAGES DECLINING: "Slower wage growth and faster inflation has led to falling real hourly and weekly earnings for most workers."

LEISURE SPENDING DECLINING: As a result of the rising cost of living, Americans are "tightening their belts and thinking twice about spending extra bucks on entertainment and leisure products."

VALUE OF DOLLAR DECLINING: The dollar "has been declining steadily for six years against other major currencies, undercutting its role as the leading international banking currency."

If you're not outraged ~ you're on life support .

Allen L Roland http://blogs.salon.com/0002255/2008/07/12.html

Take action -- click here to contact your local newspaper or congress people:
IF YOU'RE NOT OUTRAGED , YOU'RE ON LIFE SUPPORT

Click here to see the most recent messages sent to congressional reps and local newspapers

http://www.allenroland.com

Allen L Roland is a practicing psychotherapist, author and lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his weblog and website allenroland.com He also guest hosts a monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK on Conscious talk radio www.conscioustalk.net

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