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Monday, August 29, 2011

Let's Get Out The Butt-Kicking Machine

So wherever it is you live I hope things are better financially...because in Las Vegas the economy is really, really bad. Losing a house is no longer news.....staying in your house is what is noteworthy.

And since no ideas, or counsel, is coming from our leaders, I conclude none of them have an idea of what to do. One of our Senators is the majority leader, he never comes to Las Vegas...it would be nice to know what he is thinking. And I couldn't pick our other Senator out of a line-up if the rest were bass. He was appointed because John Ensign resigned in disgrace. We have three congressmen....none have addressed our situation in any significant way.

I just want one leader, one breathing, thinking leader to stand up and do something!! One person that is all I am asking for who can stand up and give us hope...but all I hear are crickets. We, who pay for our community to exist, are running out of money. And then what happens?

It is reported that unemployment here is 14%, I am sure that number should be doubled. There is no work and none coming. No construction, no jobs, no hope.

If Nevadans have work they are worried they will keep it, if they don't have work they have little hope of finding any. If you are near retirement, you were hit the hardest....IRA's are decimated, homes are worth pennies of what they were...and finding work is, well, not fruitful, and my health insurance costs have gone up $200 a month this last year....to a staggering $1250 a month for a family of four with good health. It is unsustainable.

Our homes are so underwater there is no recovery. Homes that were overpriced at $350,000 are now under priced at $95,000. Are people walking away from these homes? No, but they are running away from them. The whole country is 50% off, but Las Vegas is 80% off. It is hard to ask someone to stay in a home they paid $200,000 for when their neighbor is paying on a mortgage of $80,000. And the banks are happy to move a family out of home they can no longer afford, but then sell it to another for pennies....I don't get it.

I don't know why anyone stays. I have lived here for over 40 years, and things have been bad, then better, but we always had hope...and things got better.

So here is the obvious message from Nevada...we have given up. I don't see another communication. Our decline started in a real significant way when the president announced to the country not to go to Las Vegas. He was referring to corporations that he felt were over spending by scheduling conventions in Las Vegas...for him it was a throw away line......he was looking for a bit more austerity....Las Vegas felt the impact the next day. Room reservations were cancelled, conventions were cancelled and jobs started to vanish.....

And then it really got bad.

Don't get me wrong, in hindsight most of us would have made a lot of decisions differently. That is the way of the world, we try something it doesn't work, so we stop and try something different......but rarely is it such devastation. Starting over at thirty is much different than starting over at 60. In fact lesser people would not do it.

However, my family refuses to give up. We are going to start a business in the worst possible time. I am grateful we have an idea, I am grateful for talent we have. And maybe even a little grateful for not having a choice....desperation drives you to do things inertia might keep you from doing otherwise. And when I run into road blocks as I try and start this business, and I will, I will squeal louder than anyone should.

We have to realize we are dependent on each other. The trickle down theory is not for the wealthy only....when one person gets financially afraid, they stop going to the dry cleaners, and the dog groomer....they don't order a pizza, or send flowers...and the economy stops. So if you can afford it, and you need it, get a new oven, go out to eat, get your nasty feet done! In other words, spend your money if you can.

I am not apologetic for writing this today. I am the voice of so many who have no idea where to turn. And really tired of being ignored. If you disagree with anything I have said, tell me. I hope I am stirring up hornets...because until the right people get stung nothing is going to change.

I am looking for a butt-kicking machine.

And to think the French Revolution started because of dessert......


22 comments:

  1. I wrote this profound post and blogger won't let me post it. What the heck?

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  2. You go girl. And if you find that B-K machine, you might want to rent it to those of us in Calif. who have only wingnuts and crackpots trying to run things over here.

    Hope your new business is a smashing success.

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  3. The ten most powerful two-letter words:
    If it is to be it is up to me!
    Keep stirring us up, Ms. Donna!

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  4. I wish I COULD disagree with something you've said...

    "/

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  5. Well said! That truth hurts, but so does losing a job, losing your home and everything else you have. I hope someone starts paying attention to things that need to be done. It's getting pretty ridiculous. I read something the other day that someone wrote and his advice as to the leadership of this country was to re-elect 100 percent new leadership. He said what we have in there isn't doing anything, so lets get new leaders who will try and do something. The sad part is, most people who will run, are all politicians and they will all end up acting like the ones we have. We need people to run who are "real people". If you find some of those who want to be in office, let me know.

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  6. Donna, you are most eloquent in expressing the frustration that so many Americans are feeling. This frustration and despair is touching even the lives that should be on the home stretch... but, they are starting over.

    We are not immune here in Texas, but we are much better off than most other places. Your comment about the trickle down effect is so very true. That is why capitalism works (as long as it is above-board business). Adam Smith referred to this as "the invisible hand" that helps us all. A circle of life and prosperity. When one is able to make money, they spend money, which then becomes money the next person makes and so on.

    Woman, I applaud your courage and your spirit! I am sending all the best wishes for your new business. And just know, we'd love to have your kind back in Texas. Anytime. blessings and prayers and admiration ~ tanna

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  7. I agree...our home is for sale, for different reasons but we have been looking in the St. George area..everything is a short sale for a foreclosure..so discouraging! Something has got to give in the is country! We need new, moral leaders..are there any?!!!

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  8. wow- you said it! we do actually know the new senator, dean heller- he was in our ward up in carson city and he's a great guy. i know he's gonna do great things but is too afraid until he gets elected on his own. until then--lets hope these guys grow up and do something gfo rus!

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  9. I agree with your post - I'm starting to get nervous. My husband's job has always been fine, but the more I see people losing jobs, the more I wonder if his will hold up. I worry for my kids who are going to college. Will there be anything for them to do when they graduate? I feel like I have to finish my basement, just in case one of them needs to move back in. Getting a house will be almost impossible for them. I know we've had tough time before in this country, and it's always gotten better. But will it this time? Hopefully, once we kick that bum out of the White House, things will start to turn around, but it will take YEARS to recover from the last 3-4 years.

    Good post.

    -Kara

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  10. Well said, Donna! Well said!

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  11. Amen sister. I think you should be the new senate leader. Nothing like a Tagliaferri to get things done!! And we will be there opening night!!!=)

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  12. I think this is newspaper-worthy. Have you sent it to your local paper?

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  13. I think what you said is right on the money!
    Things are bad...everywhere and some places (like Las Vegas) are worse. I see movie theaters and restaurants packed and I think it is because people have to do something to help themselves feel better.
    We are all going to be working till we're 85 - if we live that long!

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  14. Totally agree about everything you said!!

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  15. So poignant Donna. You are an amazing writer that is for sure. You should submit your work to the RJ, you are gifted at this. Miss you xx

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  16. that was from me Nikki:) haha

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  17. You're absolutely right. It breaks my heart to see what is happening in this country everywhere. And trust me, California is no walk in the park either. We are governed by idiots, whores, and thieves. I truly believe that if we are to be saved it is up to us. We must not be complacent, we must keep our voice loud and strident. If we knuckle under, we're toast. And for what it's worth, I did go get a pedicure on Saturday. I'll have to be dead before I don't do that. Good luck, and God bless us all.

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  18. Donna...obviously you are the 'Mouth' for many! If we could only get everyone who thinks like this united in an effort to KICK ASS on our elected faux politicians! I have taken to not voting for the encumbant of any position. They are all sitting on their golden fat butts and killing our golden goose. The wonderful US of A.

    Thank you for stating what I have been feeling!
    Hugs~

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  19. I agree with The Mom...this is newspaper worthy. Send it in!

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  20. This party is just getting started. We're approaching the real crises soon. This is just the opening act.

    The houses aren't coming back. The jobs aren't coming back. We have to have structural changes in the economy. We have to go from being consumers to producers, and that's going to take awhile. Perhaps a long while. Perhaps generations. We have 40 years of a debt super cycle to unwind. Then when we hit bottom, we can rebuild.

    Best of luck to you, Donna.

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