Business

Fewer Americans Can Afford the Basics

Among the large numbers of issues that are said to prove that the recession never ended is whether Americans can afford the “basics” that have come to be expected by the middle class.

Fewer and fewer Americans can.

This means that a lack of demand for some services, like medical treatment, will undermine the ability of some services to exist at all — at least at current levels. Medicine, like any other economically based system, needs some base amount of demand to provide the financial scale that allows research and development and a delivery infrastructure to exist.

A new Gallup poll reports that:

Fewer Americans had access to basic life necessities in September. The nation’s Basic Access Index score fell to 81.4 last month — on par with the 81.5 measured in February and March 2009 amid the recession.

This is a testament to the high unemployment levels of the past four years. The fact that the economy does not bleed jobs at the rate of 500,000 a month as did in early 2009 does not help those who have lost jobs and not regained them.

Some would say the unemployment problem in the U.S. is not getting worse. That only means that the recession, which is still a horrible fact of the lives of most Americans, had not improved at all.

Fewer Americans Can Afford the Basics

The two largest drops in “basics” are the number of people with a personal doctor, down 4.2 percent to 78.3 percent in September compared to September 2008, and the number of Americans with health insurance coverage (down by 3.6 percent to 83.3 percent over the same period).

At some point, the ability of hospitals and doctors to operate in current numbers falters. The same is probably true with expensive medical research and development. The government will only fund so much of it, particularly in an age of austerity. Furthermore, private donations are low because even the well-to-do have cut back charity.

The current recession does not feel like one. It is worse than that.

(Douglas A. McIntyre–24/7 Wall St./The Blaze)

Methodology: Results are based on telephone interviews conducted as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey Sept. 1 – 30, 2011, with a random sample of 29,313 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, selected using random-digit-dial sampling.

Comments (109)

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  • Thatsitivehadenough
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:53am

    I know I’ll be attacked for this, but a few generations ago there wasn’t much in the way of medical help at all, and people managed. Maybe people need to start reminding themselves of what life was like 100 years ago and try to cope. Don’t attack me. I understand, it’s very difficult. But, it could be a way of coping. Just lower your expectations.

    Report Post » Thatsitivehadenough  
    • gotty
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:02am

      You say don’t expect as much??? …it is coming. Death panels are a joke?? really??

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:25am

      Some people “managed.” The ones who needed medical help died.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • InversionTheory
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:54am

      One hundred years ago there was still debate in the medical community about the Germ Theory of Disease and whether or not physicians should wash their hands between patients. Antibiotics were unheard of. People back then didn’t go to the doctor for routine issues and there were far fewer restrictions on who could treat illnesses.

      Today, we force every doctor from the Family Physician who treats mostly hangnails and colds to the most advanced neurosurgeon to undergo practically the same training and incurring almost the same educational expenses. This puts their fees on par with each other. Then we demand our insurance cover everything under the sun.

      Imagine if the government said every car from the entry level subcompact to the most amazing supercar had to cost the same. How many people would be priced out of the car market?

      Report Post »  
    • spikebu
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:58am

      I hear you. When the medical insurance exceeded my mortgage payment, I quit buying it. In a 2 year span I paid the medical insurance $10,000 and they paid out less than $100. That was the year my medical insurance jumped above my mortgage. Do I blame the medical community? No. Do I blame the insurance companies? They are in bed with the government, but they’re just following the rules. I blame who made the rules. Do you know you can’t get Benadryl anymore? Or Albuterol (the replacement is WAY less effective and is $40 more!)? If you are an asthmatic with allergies, you are SOL. You get to suck air through an itty, bitty, teeny, tiny straw. Then you die. The stuff that made you able to breathe damaged the environment. Better you than it, right? BAAABAAA

      Report Post »  
    • mikem1969
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:29am

      its an obahitlerstalinmao liberal progressive world, where everyone lives in a ghetto except the elite left.

      Report Post »  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 1:46pm

      They take 10 give 5 back and make you think that you are getting a good deal, and those indoctrinated into the system say yeah!… I’ll take it…. that is why obama appeals to the young, and biden speaks at 4th graders.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 1:56pm

      I’d be happy… to just go to the Doctor for Emergency… but I want the Pharmacy Unlocked so I can get whatever I want or need… just like in the Good Old Days. Get Government & Regulation out of my Life!!!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • ACLUHater
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 4:15pm

      So why are so many on welfare fat?

      Report Post »  
    • POdVet
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 6:34pm

      Just to put the proper perspective on your comment.
      In 1911 the average life expectancy in the US was 51-54 yrs. Now it is 78 yrs! Would you volunteer to give up the last 1/3 of your life?

      Report Post »  
    • POdVet
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 6:39pm

      @ACLUHATER

      That is easily answered. Cheap food is much less healthy. They take the scraps from the good cuts and sell them at a much lower price, that is what the majority of people on food stamps subsist on. You can spend $10 a pound on a good pork roast, or spend $5 on the cheap “BBQ pork roast family dinner” So when you can only budget $10 for a full meal, guess which you choose.

      Report Post »  
  • the bamster
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:52am

    The total realestate assets in USA as of 05 were 20 trillion dollars. The derivatives market market exposed us to 600 trillion in liability to the tax payer. In my spare time I traded stock options and was informed of this in 2007 and I was shocked. This was fairly common knowlege. Funny that we knew and Barney Frank and Chris Dodd didn’t have a clue. I guess I should have dropped a dime and let them know. I heard a talking head the other that there is nothing to see to see here “nothing that was done was criminal, there were no crimes commited.”. REALLY, so let me get this straight…. I can make up a phoney product that has no value, and convince a group of people to agree that it does…after all the were AAA rated. Then sell that product all over the world to the tune of 20 times the total value of all the realestate assets in the US. Then when it blows up and the World economy crashes, we onload all the liabilty to the tax payer. NO CRIME? How about the greatest heist of all time. Our government has turned into nothing more than an organized crime syndicate with two crime families. What has been done is TREASON, and those elected officials that remain silent are not my countrymen. Corruption in this country has crossed the tipping point. Two hundred years after the fall of the Roman empire people of western Europe believed that they were still Romans. We believe we live in The United States of America a country of constitutional law…..do we really?

    Report Post » the bamster  
    • Cat
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:58am

      Dead on

      Report Post » Cat  
    • cknapp
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:01am

      I agree, in the 60s and 70s my parents did not worry about Health Care, why? Because so many people were working that employers actually had to compete for employees by offering Health Care. Tell Government to get out of the way so businesses can grow, and when you get down to 4-5 percent unemployment many of our current problems will disappear.

      Craig Knapp
      Age 50

      Report Post »  
    • Cynic-clinic
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:39am

      When you follow the financial trail back to the CRIMES committed by the Wall Street hucksters and their so called ‘products’ ( like CDOs) and thei gambling games (like Credit Default Swaps) , you reach the conclusion that fault lies with GOVERNMENT GUARANTEES, that allowed bonds to be rated AAA when in fact the guarantees are the PEOPLE GUARANTEES, not government at all.

      The government has no right to guarantee repayment when the people who put up the money being guaranteed is US, YOU AND ME. But wall street and Obama and the Energy Department and Bonnie Fwank and the rest of the crooks spend money they call theirs and we never get our money back.

      Government guaranrees must be stopped forever if this country has any chance of returning to fiscal sanity If someone wants to take a financial risk, let them put up the risk capital and leave us out of their games..

      Report Post »  
  • Ryntintin
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:47am

    Damn

    Report Post » Ryntintin  
  • rfycom
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:40am

    If you can’t afford stuff and you are not rich it is your own damn fault.

    Remember the fall from the high horse can be a mighty hard fall.

    Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:11am

      Especially when the DEMOCRATS steal your horse. Then fine you for not having a horse.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • shogun459
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:33am

    If you add in fuel and food, LIKE THEY USED TO, we are in a depression. That‘s why they don’t use these 2 Major expenses. To lie to you with statistics, true numbers, just not all of them.
    That’s why it feels worse.

    I got news for you, that warm liquid sraying down from Washington on your head, it ain’t rain.

    Report Post » shogun459  
  • Drakkhanlord
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:17am

    11/11/11

    Veteran and Patriots are Gathering in DC …
    Demanding a return to the Constitutional Republic…
    Rolling Thunder will also be There to Honor the Vets and MIA/POW’s
    be rolling in at @ 400,000 Strong…

    Live Free , Die Well…

    Report Post » Drakkhanlord  
    • shogun459
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:37am

      Watch your back, and have cameras ready, they will.

      Report Post » shogun459  
    • A MERICAN
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 10:17am

      I will be there in spirit bro. I am still in the “Stan” and my bike is in storage.
      Loud pipes save lives – oh yeah!

      Report Post »  
  • Polwatcher
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:11am

    No wonder with government growing at 8% per year and business declining at a similiar rate. What is wrong with this picture that government obviously can’t see.

    Report Post »  
    • shogun459
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:51am

      Silly rabbit, leaches are blind.

      Report Post » shogun459  
    • Cat
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:56am

      They see it … They’re encouraging the collapse

      Report Post » Cat  
  • Beckatude
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:10am

    I can barely afford to go to the doctor if I had to…no insurance. I have my own business and work a part time job 20 hours a week. I drive a used paid for vehicle and own my home. The only bills I have are my month to month. I heat with a woodstove because I can’t afford the electric heat. My daughter goes to college across the country and I pay for it out of pocket…no loans and no grants. Hopefully I wont need any kind of major medical care because I would not be able to pay for it. That being said…I would NEVER want to see obamacare come into fruition. God help us all if we dont take back the power we’ve given to this government.

    Report Post »  
  • tadroid
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:10am

    We little people are just hunkering down waiting for this revolution’s Robespierre to reveal himself. I‘m thinking it’s a union leader. Stern, Hoffa, Trumpka. Ya’ know somebody that appreciates a good blood letting.

    Report Post » tadroid  
  • Bill Rowland
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:08am

    I have had to stop giving to charities. Some of them I have supported for years and can’t afford them anymore. I’m retired military and we were promised free medi al care for us and our dependants for life. Congress passed a bill that the ones of us under 65 had to pay quarterly for a medical insurance policy. At 65 whe you go on Medicare, you get tri-care for life which becomes your insurance to supplement Medicare. Obama wants us to pay for that now. So much for the promises made to the people who spend over 20 years of their life in the military.

    OMG

    Report Post »  
  • tadroid
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:06am

    Yes, when you take from the people that make and hand it over to the Godless animals, it will be squandered. PERIOD!

    Report Post » tadroid  
  • FeliciaJewel
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:05am

    My husband works for an oil company, though this company does not drill (can’t drill here) and does buy from over seas, this is an American company. A couple of years ago he took a position of management and got out of the union. Since then Obama Care “passed”, our insurance calendar changed… we renewed in June 2010 with additional cost of 2000.00 out of pocket a year and again in January 2011 another 2000.00. We expect another 2000.00 increase this January 2012. Shortly after that we were informed that pensions would stop and there is no longer Cobra Ins. for retirement. Including the rising cost of essential needs, I can only imagine that more people would feel the hurt. I know we are. We are looking at oil refinery’s being sold or just being closed that will increase the cost of everything. My understanding is that China is looking to buy them (refinery’s) here in America, our once American oil refinery’s will soon be owed by China or Russia. Ethanol is not helping either, we have just about every agency involved including the DEA, ethanol is alcohol until gas is added… and must be over seen. The department of Agriculture is also overseeing the ethanol because it is corn. The cost is outrageous considering how many Federal Agencies are involved. Who pays? We do.. clothes, meds, food, roads, etc. Corn/gas= higher food cost! The insanity needs to stop! Ethanol is so corrosive that it can not be transported through the pipeline, truckers must haul it.

    Report Post » FeliciaJewel  
    • old white guy
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:16am

      felicia, what you point out are just a couple of the very serious problems caused by the government. it will not improve. the u.s. is going to suffer a depression far more severe than the last one. there will also be violence throughout the country. the socialists, commies or progressives or what ever name you use are evil and dangerous to the freedom and prosperity of the people of the u.s.

      Report Post »  
    • FeliciaJewel
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:39am

      Your right about that. We are preparing in our home. Things are going to get bad.

      Report Post » FeliciaJewel  
  • marybethelizabeth
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:43am

    If wages were higher than people would no longer qualify for government assistance and government spending would decrease.

    Firms should be run so that there revenues cover their costs. Profit is not a right.

    Workers need to receive the full value of their labor for goods and services to be allocated efficiently.
    When that money is withheld them to pay for corporate salaries and bonuses and profits the economy becomes unstable.

    Report Post » marybethelizabeth  
    • dmforman
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:01am

      Higher wages mean higher costs for goods and services. I think that you like those kids in the occu;y wall street demonstrations need to take a simple economics class or to at least read an economics text book. Companies no matter how small or large are going to pass along the increased costs of goods and services so that they themselves can survive. Please understand economics better, so that you can understand the economy.

      Report Post »  
    • Cat
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:12am

      Marybethelizabeth
      Being a small business owner, I have a suggestion for you.
      Productivity.

      Start with an idea people either need, want or desire (No, that did not come from Mr. Hannity)
      Associate with people who have the same business philosophy, ethics, background and vision.
      Set the firm up as a cooperative where all profit is distributed to the participants (Profit sharing)
      When the company makes a profit, the associates share it all at the end of the fiscal year.
      All expenses are equally shared as well, including insurance, pencils, computers, electricity, etc.
      At the end of the day, the company pays no taxes, but the associates do, under personal income.
      Currently the IRS allows write offs such as rented vehicles, office space at home, and miniscule others.
      Even the bookkeeper can write off her rented car and office space in her home, on her personal return.
      If the firm does well, all associates do well.
      It’s worked for 25 years.

      Report Post » Cat  
    • old white guy
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:18am

      if you run a business profit is a right. without profit there can be no increase in wealth or taxes or employment.

      Report Post »  
    • marybethelizabeth
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:03am

      There is no increase in cost that would result in higher prices.

      If money is paid to the workers who create the of the goods and services instead of being diverted into the the pockets of owners the costs of goods is the same.

      If people made more money, they can afford to pay more for goods and services.

      Report Post » marybethelizabeth  
    • Cat
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:06am

      Oldwhiteguy

      That’s why the associates produce, to make a their profit, the firm is for community recognition.

      Report Post » Cat  
    • Cat
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:21am

      Marybethelizabeth

      Simply paying people more will not solve the problem.
      Businesses can’t work that way.
      The customer isn’t going to pay more just because the outlay for payroll increased.
      Competitiveness is another word for trying to keep from downing.

      Customers do fight the companies when they have to pay more when the government passes regulation, which always increases business costs.
      Instead, the customer should be paying attention to over-regulation by the government.

      Regulation in what I do is so far out of control, now it’s an every day event to contend with it all.

      Report Post » Cat  
    • A MERICAN
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 10:30am

      Any company does not really owe ANYTHING to an employee – other than the mutually agreed upon wage. If you do not like the wage do not take the job – is THAT just way to simple for you to understand?

      Report Post »  
    • A MERICAN
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 10:32am

      “Life is hard – it‘s harder if you’re stupid”

      Report Post »  
    • Cat
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 12:46pm

      The company owes nothing to the employee?

      Actually that’s not correct in the case of the firm I’m associated with.
      The ‘jobs’ come through associate contacts, historic relationships with clients, advertising, cold calls and sometimes court orders.
      Most of the firm’s clientele have been so for years.
      When associates bring in large commissions (a job) the actual work is divided among the associates so the project can be developed using the best of each discipline.
      A subcontractor is never engaged … We have ample talent to handle the work.
      Typically, smaller commissions are managed by one associate but the profit / expense ratio remains the same for that associate.

      Have we lost commissions due to high quotes for services?
      Hell yes … It happens quite often, and often, the firm that ultimately is awarded the commission wishes they never accepted the work.
      Profit can be lost
      We try like hell to avoid that scenario.

      Report Post » Cat  
    • Southern Christian
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 4:18pm

      You regurgitate the socialist mantra very well. So your idea is for all businesses to operate at break-even. Let’s think about that. When unforseen events take place what do you do for capital to address those unforseen events? And suppose business is so good you can expand and hire more workers but you can’t borrow money because you have no profit. Do you just ask everyone to take a pay cut or just decide to stay status quo? Oh but wait then you can’t hire more workers and unemployment goes up. I already know your answer. Let the government decide. Well that is the very basis for socialism and it has been proven to fail every time it is tried. What do you think is going on in Europe today?

      Report Post »  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 5:15pm

      MBE…are in the 4th grade????

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
  • Tea Party Animal
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:31am

    Can’t afford the basics?? Are you kidding me? Go to Africa where people live in shacks with no electicity, running water, etc. Food, water, shelter….those are “the basics”! In America, the “poor” have TV’s, cell phones, refigerators, AC, beds, clothes, food, Xboxes, cars.

    The poor in the US live likes Kings in other countries!

    Report Post » Tea Party Animal  
    • Tired-of-fools
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 10:00am

      In Africa with no electricity, running water, etc. Are you talking about the President’s brother?

      Report Post »  
  • Dustyluv
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:31am

    Bulls@it! The reason people cant afford the basics is because they are either too lazy to get off their as@es to work or they overspend. You will find those on welfare that have big screen televisions, iPods, iPads, nice cars, home computers and cable television. Then they whine and mope that they are broke.

    BULLCRAP! We are the only nation in the world who has the so called poor with electronic communications, houses and cars!! BullS@it we have poor!!! What a lie!!

    Report Post »  
    • hogwired
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:53am

      You are right.I know several people who get their “check” every month, being disability, food stamps, etc….and they work part time, here and there, and always want “cash” so they don’t make too much to lose their check. My father in law was trying to hire some extra help and couldn’t find anyone who would work, unless they got paid in cash under the table, because they didn’t want to lose their benefits…..they couldn’t get a legal check.

      I saw a family the other day in the store pay for their groceries with their “EBT” card (which the government is now using so they won’t feel so bad because it looks like a debit card) And promptly load their groceries in their Escalade and drive off…..and their daughter was texting and talking on her new I phone the whole time. It makes me sick.

      We’re going down the tubes as a country and accelerating.

      Report Post »  
    • dmforman
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:05am

      Unfortunately what you described hogwashed is becoming the norm. People don’t think anything of stealing from those of who actually work for a living. I honestly have no problem with checking on those that are receiving disability, food stamps, welfare, etc, and if they are committing fraud by working than they need to be cut off. I don’t want to hear about their children and the other excuses. If you have a cell phone, a gaming system, tv, dvd, and a myriad of other electronic devices you are not poor.

      Report Post »  
  • AntiZion
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:24am

    OFCOURse you can not afford anything for your families and your life is held by credit cards… when all your money is gone on illusion enemy that you call “war on terror” …and then they brainwash you with MTV and E! entertainment!

    welcome to the real world! time to get out of your Bubble Americans :P

    Report Post »  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:17am

    As DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz said, “ President Obama owns this”.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
  • Cat
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:03am

    Been calling for the closure of the IRS since my first job at 14.
    Taxing productivity is counter productive.
    That’s the point.
    Income tax is a Marxist idea and it will collapse a capitalistic system.
    It’s designed to do just that.

    Read an article about 6 years ago written by a Russian sociologist.
    She explained how the United States would fall based on political manipulation and social engineering.
    In the end, she noted that the entire system of our constitutional republic would collapse, but not the way one would think.
    Her analysis concluded the people of the United States are so accustom to freedom that they will simply stop paying taxes to support criminal activity, and the government will not know what to do.

    Look around.
    Why do bureaucracies like the EPA, FEMA, FCC, FDA, and others, have so much power?
    The elected do NOT want to be accountable for the collapse and they will rely on the bureaucracies to take control with the Czars leading the way.

    Anyone seen this scenario before?

    Report Post » Cat  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:07am

      Capitalism can no longer afford socialism. Socialism is the reason capitalism is struggling, when we a prospreous, industrial powerhouse , we could afford to give the left what they wanted , but now , the parasite is killing the hosf…………. And it may be to late…

      Report Post »  
    • A MERICAN
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 10:35am

      Detroit Paperboy – you got that right – way to many ticks on the dog in my opinion.

      Report Post »  
  • itsmyfirstday
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:02am

    Is anyone really surprised?? You elect a socialist for president and the middle class is lowered upper poor level…

    Report Post » itsmyfirstday  
    • loriann12
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:11am

      Have you seen the map of Korea at night? It shows south Korea all lit up (it’s a capitalist country) and north Korea has one bright light, the capital, where I’m sure is where Kim lives. The rest of the country is too poor to afford electricity….North Korea is a communist country where the people are starving. That’s what Obama wants for America. he wants all of our earned wealth turned over to the poor…don’t you realize that will lower the standard of living for everyone? If I was a millionare, I’d make sure I made less so my taxes went down. That will close up a lot of businesses.

      Report Post »  
  • Neesey
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 6:58am

    Funny, but if you were unemployed three times since 2006, and now you make 1/3 of what you’re used to and you want to eat, you must sacrifice something. Basics, for some has never been about health insurance because they never had it. Basics to me are food, shelter, car. Everything else at this point is gravy and we are not suffering. It would sure be nice to not live hand to mouth, yet the good news is that I know I am not alone. Anybody but Obama …****ABO*** almost.

    Report Post »  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:34am

      Bet you have a cell phone, cable and a computer…unless you are at the library reading the Blaze on their computer…You probably have more than one television and its probably a big screen too. Think sbout it. Your basics are more than food shelter and car.

      Report Post »  
    • dmforman
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:11am

      We’ve forgotten what true necessities are. Cars are necessities. Food, shelter, and clothes. We all have much more than that in the US.

      Report Post »  
  • HKS
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 6:57am

    Bo is doing his job, implementing the cloward-piven plan. They will need a bit bigger percentage of poverty and chase off the rich folks still create jobs to take over the government. But Bo is working hard on those big waste bills that should do the trick. He needs the bankruptcy of the US government before the next election or he will have to resort to riots in the streets to buy some time to finish it off. Yes Bo is working hard to get this collapse done in a timely fashion. Of course when he accomplishes the goal we will need a new supreme leader and he will be available for that assignment. It’s good to be the King.

    Report Post » HKS  
    • rambosharley
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:25am

      I’ve been thinking the same thing for the last 2 years. Well said!

      Report Post »  
  • Carol Ingian
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 6:41am

    This is true, fewer can afford what they used to. Health insurance is too expensive, as are medicines and medical procedures. But, hey, our government keeps letting more illegals into the country and they drive up costs for the rest of us. They go to the hospitals for care they will not pay for, but someone has to pay for it.
    It is sad to see the results of the state of our economy. Homes being foreclosed and abandoned, stores and restaurants closed. Most people are cutting back, buying what they can afford.

    Report Post »  
    • Obama_Sham
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 6:57am

      Oh Carol, haven’t you heard?!? The ILLEGALS have just as much of a RIGHT to free health care as every U.S. citizen…

      /end sarcasm

      Report Post » Obama_Sham  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:02am

      Our federal govt. Has become the enemy of the people. It is smothering this nation. The parasite is killing the host. There will be no recovery , this is the new norm. VOTE TEA PARTY !

      Report Post »  
    • Jackers
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:02am

      This is what happens when we have “global elites” running the show… Most of our political “representatives” have moved beyond that old piece of paper called the Constitution and are pushing for an open-border “Global Society,” which benefits the ultra-wealthy at the top on the backs of struggling Americans.

      It’s far past time that our so-called “representatives” stop their self-serving representation of global corporations, global unions and special interest groups and start representing the majority will and best interests of the American people.

      Report Post » Jackers  
  • Marylou7
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 6:40am

    Does this really surprise anyone?? IMO this healthcare plan was simply to help bankrupt America and it is doing a bangup job and it’s only just begun.

    Report Post » Marylou7  
  • kentuckypatriot
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 6:38am

    thanks master president

    Report Post » kentuckypatriot  
  • Anton Phibes
    Posted on October 19, 2011 at 6:35am

    Medicines? Heck—by the time I pay for gas and groceries, electricity and housing—there’s nothing left. No 401k, no retirement…can barely pay for gas and food! GO OBAMA: FOUR MORE YEARS AND I’LL BE HOMELESS! Hope! Change! But at least we are stopping those pesky corporations from displacing the spotted frog snail or whatever hippie sponsored movement is preventing gas from being $4 a gallon. Shoot–even junk foods are sky high. Little Debbies used to be $1.00 a box. Seen the prices lately? $2.79! Thats one way for them to fight obesity in America. Make food so high you starve to death. But as long as the Obamas and their media pals are doing good it’s tax,tax,tax……

    Report Post »  
    • Marylou7
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 6:42am

      Totally agree!

      Report Post » Marylou7  
    • eyestoseeearstohear
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 6:53am

      You are absolutely right!

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:14am

      Absolutely. No one seems to equate the loss of basic affordability with the last 3 years. It’s like without the stimulus unemployment would go as high as 8%! It hasn’t been below 9%, has it? AFTER they passed a couple stimulus packages…oops, it’s not stimulus.

      Report Post »  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:42am

      You actually eat Little Debbies? LOL Listen, you have a PC and computer connection, you have a house and a car. Stop whining and do something about your situation. You CAN cut out a lot more and bring a sense of well being to your life even though everything is inflating rapidly. I myself have the basics, no extras like movie channels and expensive phones. i have an old cell phone, no house phone and we seldom even run AC even when Texas was having 100 degree days. So what! We are spoiled rotten and if you think this is bad, you havent seen anything. Wait until the real inflation hits and thise Little Debbie cakes are 50.00 each or not being produced anymore.

      Stop whining and prepare!

      Report Post »  
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