Are We Being Too Complacent About the Economy Crumbling Around Us?

[katty]

more: http://www.alternet.org/story/130511/are_we_being_too_complacent_about_the_economy_crumbling_around_us/

Are We Being Too Complacent About the Economy Crumbling Around Us?

By Tana Ganeva, AlterNet. Posted March 9, 2009.
Our readers had a lot to say about a poll that shows one-third of Americans aren't worried about losing their jobs. Tools

A New York Times headline Friday horrifyingly screamed "651,000 Jobs Lost in February: Rate Rises to 8.1%, Highest in 25 Years."

And according to the Bureau of Labor statistics, almost all sectors of the economy are affected: retail dropped 40,000 jobs over the past month, and 608,000 since December 2007; jobs in leisure and hospitality fell by 33,000; the financial sector lost 44,000 jobs in February, and on and on.

Yet, according to an article recently published on AlterNet, one-third of Americans aren't worried about losing their jobs.

Do they know something we don't know? Is the stat a testament to that vaunted American optimism? Or have Americans been fattened into complacency by years of relative wealth (for some)?

Our readers had much to say about the shocking statistic:

davy writes that it's hardly surprising that people go into a deep state of denial in difficult times. "As a retired therapist, I can safely say, that in my experience, denial is what people are best at."

Many readers agreed, arguing that Americans are overly -- and unwisely -- complacent:

Jay Randal writes:

Years ago, I worked for Builders Square in Florida, a rival to Home Depot, and at that time I realized the company was going downhill into bankruptcy. I told some of my fellow employees to start looking for other jobs. A few of them laughed at me and said their jobs were secure. I was proved right, when all the Builders Square stores closed in Florida, and everybody lost their jobs.

Some Americans live in a bubble of unreality and refuse to believe the economy is sliding into another depression.

[rosesaylavee]

1. I think the survey is flawed...

or there is a certain percentage of people who will always be unaware of the world around them. I think everyone I know, and including myself, are scared spitless of losing their jobs, their homes, their retirements, their kids livelihoods, everything.

I do think people get it. Other than standing around wringing our hands though, or jumping off bridges, what is there to do but chop wood, carry water until something happens.

[katty]

2. yes, not sure about this 'survey', people can be out of the

loop, but most of us are being bombarded with this grim reality 24/7.

[louis-t]

3. I always note, when I see "worst ----in 25 years!"

Who was president 25 years ago? :think:

[whosinpower]

4. Complacent - no

Powerless - yes.
What can the average american do - if they know for a FACT that the economy is sliding into a depression? That is the 10 trillion dollar question.

There are some bits of wisdom to think about. If/when it gets really bad, think about the absolute necessities of life - food, clean water, shelter. Grow a garden. Does the average homeowner have enough land for a garden to sustain a family? Probably not, but they can plant pots, and planters, they can convert grass into garden plots. And, if it is not currently legal to keep a few animals - ie chickens, then they should be lobbying to change that rule.

If it becomes apparent that the US dollar will collapse, then I would take every penny I owned and buy staples - and convert those dollars into something tangible and tradable. A person needs to do this BEFORE the collapse - because after the collapse, those dollars will be worth nothing.(hyperinflation) Tangible and tradable being something that people NEED to survive - food, water, ammo? probably. Thinking about shelter might involve several family members pooling their resources for a home and share it, and its expenses.

My take is that people are frightened, but not stupid. They will carry on with their work, as long as they have a job, and try to carry on, as best they can. But make no mistake - the downturn is the result of many people pulling back from their spending - so denial is not really the majority. If sales were as strong as they were in 2007 - then I would say - yes, there is allot of denial. But sales of just about everything have fallen ALLOT. Part of that pullback is real, because they have lost their jobs and income stream, but I also think part is psychological - a fear of the unknown future. That is not complacency - that is a reaction to the economy.

[Warpy]

5. Well, the time to do something about it was at least 5 years ago

and more likely 10 years ago. That's when people should have seen the bubbles building funded by debt and gotten out of debt, themselves, except for small, fixed mortgages.

Now there's not a damned thing they can do about what's happening but try to survive the disaster as it unfolds.

You're right, it's human nature to think things are permanent when the only thing you can really count on is change.

[stillcool]

6. I won't worry my life away..

love that song!

[bemildred]

7. What are we supposed to do?

Riots don't seem appropiate yet, Obama does seem to be trying to do something about the situation. It's not going to get fixed next week, or ever really. But we did elect Obama. It's a start. Change is hard work.