FDL: AFL-CIO Commits Sin of Asking Real People About Economy

[Omaha Steve]

http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/07/08/afl-cio-commits-sin-of-asking-real-people-about-economy/

By: David Dayen Thursday July 8, 2010 11:49 am

This is a major no-no. Everyone understands that only trained professionals paid by corporate conglomerates can have an opinion on the economy. Not the rabble.

Ben from Augusta, Ga., says the economy is not doing as well—and describes feeling hopeless and scared because he doesn’t know what’s going to happen next.

In Washington, D.C., Patricia is shouldering the burden of the poor economy:

“I find that I’m doing more and more for my family with less and less that I have because they have less and less.”

Larry from Las Vegas pinpoints one of the prime culprits behind the economic mess:

“It’s unfortunate on how the situation has occurred with these big bankers capitalizing on the U.S. government…wherein, they robbed us.”

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzVGQ0OgYOQ&feature=player_embedded

These mere mortals just don’t understand how the banks needed those trillions and shouldn’t be called mean names as a result. They should understand how tough times call for sacrifice – for them, at least, not for the rich. They should just work harder and not succumb to laziness and pull themselves up like a good entrepreneur would.

Somehow, these individuals, who live in the economy created by elites, understand what most elites don’t – that the extreme wealth and inequality at the top has left the rest of us scrambling for scraps.

FULL story at link.

[katandmoon]

1. K&R

[blondeatlast]

2. Give every household in the US 3K to spend (spend being the operative word)

as they wish--jobs created and taxes revenued (or whatever the right word is).

Kudos to the AFL-CIO for much wisdom.

[lib2DaBone]

3. Hedge Funds, Banks and Corporations are sitting on epic huge amounts of CASH..

.. they have nickle and dimed their best employees.. worker productivity is thru the roof... benefits have been slashed.. and the Republican are happy happy happy....

The only thing the Republicans would like better is debtor prisons and forced serfdom... don't worry... with the DEMS help.. it is on the way...

[griffi94]

4. That about covers it

The funny thing is I don't feel particularly hopeless. More of a weary resignation.
I no longer expect anything to really change except maybe around the edges a little bit.
The funny thing is, when I gave up on expectations, things seemed a bit easier and not so bleak.

I no longer expect the economy to improve in any significant way for the foreseeable future.

I figured out that the expectations were what caused most of my anxiety.

I still pop in here at DU to see which way the wind is blowing, but I've mostly avoided politics for the last 5-6 months.
I think I'll try to keep that streak going.

[Merlot]

5. You have a good plan.

And I agree about expectations causing anxiety.

If things do change, I'll consider it a nice surprise.

And agree also about avoiding politics. I'm trying to follow good news in the environmental front, new innovations and inventions.

Makes me feel like there could be some in the good future.

[Omaha Steve]

6. Kick

[hobbit709]

7. If economists were paid minimum wage, they might understand.

Unfortunately, they get paid way more than the average so they don't have a clue about the real world.