How far or how close are we to a depression

[bush l]

in the USA? or are the following not straws being piled on the camel's back?Record budget deficits, declining real wages, foreclosures in alarming levels, the fact that our manufacturings has moved overseas along with so many jobs, the fact that we have an influx of low wage workers taking jobs from middle class americans or driving down their wages, the unafordability of health care, the high cost of wagering mutltiple wars......Clearly many americans are doing well, especially those who make weapons to sell for wars or are part of the military complex, but what about the country as a whole....are we headed down the wrong path..a path to a depression??

[ningis n]

Many polls have been taken that show that like at least 70% or more of americans believe that the country is headed in the wrong direction. So clearly the things you state are not "chicken little" as some will claim. I agree. There are lots of signs that something is not "kosher". In fact, I would even say, it almost seems like our very own leaders (both parties) are conducting policy like they actually want to wreck the country. We are only left to ask why?I would say we are one major crisis away from a depression, like a severe hike to gas prices to about $5.00 a gallon.

[cincywahine]

The Great Depression was the worst economic slump ever in U.S. history, and one which spread to virtually all of the industrialized world. The depression began in late 1929 and lasted for about a decade. Many factors played a role in bringing about the depression; however, the main cause for the Great Depression was the combination of the greatly unequal distribution of wealth throughout the 1920's, and the extensive stock market speculation that took place during the latter part that same decade. The maldistribution of wealth in the 1920's existed on many levels. Money was distributed disparately between the rich and the middle-class, between industry and agriculture within the United States, and between the U.S. and Europe. This imbalance of wealth created an unstable economy. The excessive speculation in the late 1920's kept the stock market artificially high, but eventually lead to large market crashes. These market crashes, combined with the maldistribution of wealth, caused the American economy to capsize.Now.....does any of this sound like what we have today?I would have to say that we aren't looking too good. Unless, of course, you are wealthy.

[Just Moveon.org U Loser]

Ask the liberals, they have been boderline depressed every day of their lives since November 2000.

[smitty031]

not close at all...there will never be another depression as you see it.those days were long ago...Food in the the fridge...power for the ol PC...a job for 96 percent of the populace...yeah I think we are fine

[sugarbabe]

I'm already depressed that my party cares more about illegals than it does about citizens. Told them so when they called to see which candidate I support. Told her, "none of them", and since they care more about the illegals, to call them and get donations. But, more to your point, yes, we could be headed for an ecomonic depression. When the earners outnumber the takers, everything is okay. When takers outnumber the earners, then we are doomed. The last thing we need is a Santa Claus government.

[patriotwww]

Because of all the things you mention are truely heading us in the wrong direction, there is a faction that still want to control it all. They do not want any resistance to their dominance in the world. For the love of me, I can't figure out this type of thinking, but it does exist and history points out the power these types have attained in the past. The neocons are the latest want it all types and like all the others, must be stopped!

[Some dude]

Well the NGO Organization for Economic Cooperation and Developement sees US unemployment at hovering steadily at about 4%, while the EU sits at nearly 6% and most other growing econemies have 7-9%...The Dow is still well above 13,000...Yeah, I'd say we're about as close to a depression as as your question is to making any sense.

[Chance20_m]

The housing bubble is bursting, which is bad news for millions of homeowners and investors. I don't think this will cause a depression though. A recession? Sure.

[harryd]

I don't know how things are figured on your planet, but with an economy that's in the best shape in years, your fears of a depression are pitiful at best. A depression is when you can't eat at MacDonalds, you eat at soup lines and re-sell apples in order to stay alive. A depression is when you slim down, but not by choice. You must have lead a sheltered life to have such silly ideas. Gloom & doom doesn't work any more.