Comments on: America’s economy: glass half full?

By: Sue4

Sue4 — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:20:21 +0000

Another good article by Chrystia! Got me thinking..
First I don’t think that fixing what’s wrong in a timely manner is within the realm of possibilities. And Americans don’t like waiting for those “quality jobs”. It is certainly understandable wanting quick relief from a too stressful situation, but my fear is that this next election will be full of false promises and delusions to satisfy the fears of those who think the country is moving in the wrong direction. Action inspired by fear is often destructive, always suspect. Yet a campaign can certainly be won by getting the “fear vote”. The fear vote isn’t about terrorists or communists this time. It’s about what is going on within our own borders. So I don’t think Obama can afford to paint a pretty picture, but that isn’t the “half” of it…. He needs to step up to the plate! He needs to raise his voice a bit and point out the ridiculous at the very least. No, he will say the glass is half full and the glass is half empty, and we won’t know where he stands in terms of planting his feet firmly, which makes everyone anxious. The country is going in what direction?

By: forteinjeff

forteinjeff — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:27:58 +0000

I buy it. I also buy Santa Claus coming down my chimney and bunnies who lay eggs each spring. For once I think American’s are finally starting to see the truth, and it’s not a pretty picture from any view. The only possible way we’ll ever get out of this mess is if enough media can make us believe “everything’s coming up roses for you and for me.” Please do your own homework and learn not only what the up coming politicians are telling us they’ll do, but equally important, what they’ve already done. There’s got to be someone out there with some real morals who we can actually trust and respect – isn’t there?

By: DisgustedReader

DisgustedReader — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:28:32 +0000

Evidently the times are so bad, that when I tried to encourage my nephew (who goes to a university and majors in the computer sciences) by simply suggesting he’s in a field that has good future prospects, I was severely criticized for “getting his hopes up”!

When I was in college many moons ago, I needed encouragement, which led me to an excellent career that survived this recession. It’s difficult to fathom the times are perceived as so bad, that simply telling someone “you have a bright future!” is considered cruel… that you’re “getting their hopes up” when in fact, they need to start emotionally preparing for a harsh and hopeless future!

It’s as if you can’t even pat someone on the back and say, “Don’t worry, everything will be alright!” without worrying someone will retort, “That is so cruel! Everything will NOT be alright! Stop encouraging that person!”

Imagine if Franklin D. Roosevelt had been castigated for his famous quote, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself” because everyone was so negative, their immediate reaction was, “You cruel bastard, we have EVERYTHING to fear!” And times were bad then, but evidently not as negative as now.

By: jambrytay

jambrytay — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:17:35 +0000

I say the glass is definitely half-full, but I know there’s a segment of the population that LOVES THE GLOOM AND DOOM story Our economy has problems to be sure, but why are people drawn to the negative story? The picture with the headline says ‘The American Dream is Over’, that’ll undoubtedly attract a lot of attention for those needing their gloom and doom fix for the day….

By: ptiffany

ptiffany — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:15:23 +0000

Freeland could be one of those pundits that don’t offend anyone on one talk show after another. Maybe it is, or maybe it isn’t. Could be. Possibly. It’s all a matter of perception and worldview and political stance. Who knows the truth?

Where’s the basis in facts? Isn’t that the currency of professional journalists?

By: deerecub1977

deerecub1977 — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:46:31 +0000

time for revolution

By: hypodoche

hypodoche — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:11:12 +0000

Which party will find that delicate nuance of theme to convince the American people that they are less guilty than the other party for letting the wealthiest minority rob the US of it’s current and future value, and that it’s the average citizen’s job to rebuild the coffers, blindly neglecting any efforts to stop a repeat of the procedure.

Again.

By: jambrytay

jambrytay — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:25:15 +0000

Joedoright-where do you want to draw the line on the outsourcing ‘problem’? Our economy has been outsourcing jobs for 100+ years. Outsourcing stops the day the consumer stops buying better, faster, cheaper goods/services.

By: bpotter110

bpotter110 — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:23:09 +0000

Republicans revel in gloom and doom because that mind-set serves their purpose of ensuring that they are elected in 2012. Republicans have obstructed and opposed any legislation which might boost the economy/jobs because that would be seen as a victory for the president.

I heard an interesting point this weekend….Republicans want to shrink the size of government and have attacked public sector employees as part of the problem. Much of the job loss has been public employees at the state and local level….yet Republicans are making an issue of the unemployment rate….pretzel logic.

By: fred5407

fred5407 — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:20:06 +0000

Like we know. The government did not stop making poor decisions until the economy could not be fixed. It is broken and the government does not know how to fix it.