The United States

[Jonesizzle]

I have been noticing. Everything in the united states are going up, every little thing. I can assure you that god damn hand jobs out on the street went up a few bucks since last week seeing how everything else is. With gas and all the food prices going up, I think some of the people in the united states are going to go through a new great depression. Imagine, people struggle with 4.00$ a gallon for gas, just wait, in a few years it is going to steadily be rising. For some reason I think the United States is going to fall into a great depression. Not only is gas a huge problem food is rising up the price quicker than ever imagined, sh*t is going to go down hill real quick with US.

[Struff Bunstridge]

We're feeling it over here in the UK as well, and our two countries are so closely linked that I think we'll fall together. The price of pretty much everything here has crept up over the last couple of months. Not huge amounts, but enough to add £5-10 or so to your £50 weekly shopping bill. I was told the other day that the average nuclear family in the UK is in around £30,000 of personal debt. That's personal debt, so it's over and above mortgage expenditure and things like that. It's frightening, but I've been planning to get the hell out of Dodge for a couple of years now; looks like this is a good time to do it.

[Rhoda]

Petrol prices over here are astronomical too. They're nearly double what they were ten years ago. I've always considered the UK to be the mirror to the USA. I see kids now (I'm barely a "man" myself, I'm at the arse end of 17, so I use the term loosely) when they're playing and what not and they've become so Americanized and influenced by Western culture. That's always been apparent but today's society even more so.

 

But I digress...

[Seachmall]

Same in Ireland, although the € should cushion us but you never know.

[Struff Bunstridge]

Hasn't the cost of living rocketed in Ireland since the introduction of the euro? My father in law lives near Cork, and he reckons everything's much more expensive than before... As you said though, it'll give you a lot more economic stability than the punt ever did.

[Seachmall]

Hasn't the cost of living rocketed in Ireland since the introduction of the euro? My father in law lives near Cork, and he reckons everything's much more expensive than before... As you said though, it'll give you a lot more economic stability than the punt ever did.

That is true however when the Euro was introduced we had come out of one of the biggest economic booms of our time (Celtic Tiger) and so a brief relapse was innevitable. The Euro softend that blow and will continue to do so in further resessions, or so I hope.

[Rhoda]

Speaking of the Euro, what do you think of the possiblity of Britain adopting the Euro as currency? Maybe even evolving into the dreaded idea of the United States Of Europe...

[Mike Tequeli]

Stock market is absolute sh*t right now.

 

@ Masterkraft - It'd suck for Britain to lose its identity like that, the EU is going too far anyways, I like where it is now anyways. Germany is trying to push its fascist anti-hatred laws on the rest of the EU and we should be glad it isn't one giant state. But having one passport for everything kicks ass because I can get an Irish passport pretty easily which allows me to travel easily in countries with stricter immigration laws like Britain.

[Seachmall]

Speaking of the Euro, what do you think of the possiblity of Britain adopting the Euro as currency? Maybe even evolving into the dreaded idea of the United States Of Europe...

Highly unlikely as it stands. The Sterling is currently €1 = £1.25, I can't see why they would want to give that up. Maybe if this resession continues it may be considered but I guess it would end up to a vote and their is no way it would pass.

[All-Blacks]

The EU is great. The US has no where to turn with her gradual failing ecomony, at least the UK has her pals across the Channel to save her from a possible recession. Bring on the Euro I say. The currency of the future.

[nlitement]

The EU is great. The US has no where to turn with her gradual failing ecomony, at least the UK has her pals across the Channel to save her from a possible recession. Bring on the Euro I say. The currency of the future.

The dollar is a dead horse.

 

And what the f*ck are you Americans crying over such cheap gas prices, and prices in general? At least I'm slightly pissed that despite dying, the dollar still won't make things cheaper here. >

[makeshyft]

Economists have been predicting this since the end of the Cold War. The world becomes unstable when in a state of unipolarity. The dominant nation tends to begin acting imperialistically, and spreads itself too thin, economically and militarily.

 

Currently, the US is importing more than it is exporting, and government spending exceeds tax revenue.

 

The prediction is that we will see a multi-polar world within the next ten to twenty years, as China and Russia have the potential to triple their economy.

[Carbine23]

Yeah the gas prices are like going up like crazy since Hurricane Katrina. If this continues then i'm getting the hell out of this country, and i'll move to either Canada, Britain or Sweden. I heard that Sweden is the best place to escape religious struggle because its the most atheist place in Europe. But now that you guys mention Britain is doing the same as the US economy then i might have to change my plans.

 

Seriously, we need to find another resource besides oil because it's tearing this world apart.

[Mike Tequeli]

Yeah the gas prices are like going up like crazy since Hurricane Katrina. If this continues then i'm getting the hell out of this country, and i'll move to either Canada, Britain or Sweden.

Umm no, not for that reason I mean. Canada is a great place to live but the gas prices here are just as severe as in the US.

 

And gas prices haven't been going up steadily since Katrina, they went insanely high and then dipped and then began to rise to Katrina levels. So I guess it is pretty bad that prices now are the same as when a hurricane destroyed several gulf oil rigs.

[Jonesizzle]

I say we all pack up, make a rocket and colonize the moon!

[Vercetti21]

Although prices are going up, I doubt we'll see a Great Depression II. Think about it: the first depression was caused by the tremendous amount of prosperity in the 20's. People over-invested in the stock market, causing it to crash. Nowadays prices are going up, but for simple supply-and-demand reasons. With so many national programs to prevent another depression from happening, it's at the back of my mind right now, although if by some chance it did happen, rather than a sudden drop, it appears everyone would steadily creep into debt instead.

[jacob.]

 

If this continues then i'm getting the hell out of this country, and i'll move to either Canada, Britain or Sweden.

You're 15. Mommy isn't going to drive you out of the country because of rising gas prices.

 

 

Seriously, we need to find another resource besides oil because it's tearing this world apart.

We're very well aware of a multitude of alternative, clean sources of energy. The problem is there's too much money in the oil industry, and our economy relies too heavily on it to suddenly stop using it.

[WHAT!?]

everyone would steadily creep into debt instead.

Thats already happend. The credit industry is currently the the most instantly profitable venture you could get into at the moment.

 

...and Americans are crying over gas because it isnt cheap. When your struggling to fill up at $70.00 for the week and then your asked the following month to pay $150.00 a week... and the price is still rising. Thats a problem for many people. Especially considering minimum wage is still only around $5.50 an hour in most states. Add to that the fact that most minimum wage jobs will not give you a 40 hour work week, but rather ask that you work someplace between 10 and 20 hours. You begin to see why so many people are working two and three jobs and are barley getting by. Public transport is largley unavalible to most of the country making ownership of a vehicle almost madatory if you choose to hold a job.

 

Regardless, its getting tough everywhere. America doesn't have it as bad as some, however if things don't change I'm sure we will manage to get there.

[Seachmall]

Especially considering minimum wage is still only around $5.50 an hour in most states. Add to that the fact that most minimum wage jobs will not give you a 40 hour work week, but rather ask that you work someplace between 10 and 20 hours.

That is absolutly crazy. Our minimum wage (in US $) is about $12.

 

When your struggling to fill up at $70.00 for the week and then your asked the following month to pay $150.00 a week

Don't cars in the US have HUGE engines when compared to rest of the world? Perhaps this will encourage people to purchase smaller cars or even green/hybrid cars.

[WHAT!?]

Especially considering minimum wage is still only around $5.50 an hour in most states. Add to that the fact that most minimum wage jobs will not give you a 40 hour work week, but rather ask that you work someplace between 10 and 20 hours.

That is absolutly crazy. Our minimum wage (in US $) is about $12.

 

When your struggling to fill up at $70.00 for the week and then your asked the following month to pay $150.00 a week

Don't cars in the US have HUGE engines when compared to rest of the world? Perhaps this will encourage people to purchase smaller cars or even green/hybrid cars.

What state do you live in? I can speak for a very large portion of the midwest when I say $5.50 That isn't crazy. I was impressed when Illinois minimum wage went to $7.50 - I last held a job there in 2006. Minimum wage is not $12.00 Ask anyone who makes it.

 

Not all American cars have huge engines, many come stock with four to six cylinder engines. V8s are not the monsters they once were either. Many can make 30mpg.

[Seachmall]

What state do you live in? I can speak for a very large portion of the midwest when I say $5.50 That isn't crazy. I was impressed when Illinois minimum wage went to $7.50 - I last held a job there in 2006. Minimum wage is not $12.00 Ask anyone who makes it.

 

Not all American cars have huge engines, many come stock with four to six cylinder engines. V8s are not the monsters they once were either. Many can make 30mpg.

I live in Ireland, not in the US.

 

Our minimum wage is about €8 ($12). $7.50 is about €4.75 and our cars about 1litre to 2.5litres(?). Over here we always think of American cars as big gas-guzzling machines, I'm wondering if thats true.

[WHAT!?]

What state do you live in? I can speak for a very large portion of the midwest when I say $5.50 That isn't crazy. I was impressed when Illinois minimum wage went to $7.50 - I last held a job there in 2006. Minimum wage is not $12.00 Ask anyone who makes it.

 

Not all American cars have huge engines, many come stock with four to six cylinder engines. V8s are not the monsters they once were either. Many can make 30mpg.

I live in Ireland, not in the US.

 

Our minimum wage is about €8 ($12). $7.50 is about €4.75 and our cars about 1litre to 2.5litres(?). Over here we always think of American cars as big gas-guzzling machines, I'm wondering if thats true.

Not really. I mean you still have your SUVs and larger trucks and utility vehicles that are a little harder on the wallet in the gas department. However if your driving a truck or SUV you are one of three things. (1) Stuck owning it because its nessicary for your buisness, (2) Rich enough to afford it, (3) It was given to you and you cant afford it, but you cant afford another vehicle either.

 

 

With newer fuel injection and overdrive transmissions though 30mpg seems to be about the average for just about any new vehicle from around 2003 on up.

[GSXRSpeed]

What state do you live in? I can speak for a very large portion of the midwest when I say $5.50 That isn't crazy. I was impressed when Illinois minimum wage went to $7.50 - I last held a job there in 2006. Minimum wage is not $12.00 Ask anyone who makes it.

 

Not all American cars have huge engines, many come stock with four to six cylinder engines. V8s are not the monsters they once were either. Many can make 30mpg.

I live in Ireland, not in the US.

 

Our minimum wage is about €8 ($12). $7.50 is about €4.75 and our cars about 1litre to 2.5litres(?). Over here we always think of American cars as big gas-guzzling machines, I'm wondering if thats true.

Not really. I mean you still have your SUVs and larger trucks and utility vehicles that are a little harder on the wallet in the gas department. However if your driving a truck or SUV you are one of three things. (1) Stuck owning it because its nessicary for your buisness, (2) Rich enough to afford it, (3) It was given to you and you cant afford it, but you cant afford another vehicle either.

 

 

With newer fuel injection and overdrive transmissions though 30mpg seems to be about the average for just about any new vehicle from around 2003 on up.

Are you serious. What V8 gets 30 mpg? I just got rid of my 2005 Dodge Ram with the 5.7 Hemi. It got 20 mpg on the highway if I did strictly 55 mph. If I went any faster the mileage dropped. My average mpg ranged from 10-15 mpg. It was fast and fun, but it really drink gas. I got rid of it for a 2008 Civic Si. It gets 33 mpg on the highway, but averages 20-25 around town. And it's a 4 cylinder! I can't think of 1 V8 that gets 30 mpg. And in Indiana I still see alot of SUVs and Big Trucks. You are starting to see alot of them with for sale signs in them though. I'm glad I got rid of mine last year when gas was still $2.60. Most people that have one now will get practically nothing for them.

 

On Topic:

 

I sadly see that America may be falling. We made credit way too easy. Most people are in debt, alot of middleclass jobs are moving offshore, we are becoming a service economy. We can't all serve each other. You need people who build stuff too. Alot of American's feel like they deserve everything, heck I feel that way. I don't know the solution but it looks like we are heading towards hard times, probly the whole world.

 

My opinion is that America will not fade into the background like other past empires like Great Britain or Rome. We'll probly go out in a blaze of glory by starting war after war, possibly shooting nukes off again.

[WHAT!?]

What state do you live in? I can speak for a very large portion of the midwest when I say $5.50 That isn't crazy. I was impressed when Illinois minimum wage went to $7.50 - I last held a job there in 2006. Minimum wage is not $12.00 Ask anyone who makes it.

 

Not all American cars have huge engines, many come stock with four to six cylinder engines. V8s are not the monsters they once were either. Many can make 30mpg.

I live in Ireland, not in the US.

 

Our minimum wage is about €8 ($12). $7.50 is about €4.75 and our cars about 1litre to 2.5litres(?). Over here we always think of American cars as big gas-guzzling machines, I'm wondering if thats true.

Not really. I mean you still have your SUVs and larger trucks and utility vehicles that are a little harder on the wallet in the gas department. However if your driving a truck or SUV you are one of three things. (1) Stuck owning it because its nessicary for your buisness, (2) Rich enough to afford it, (3) It was given to you and you cant afford it, but you cant afford another vehicle either.

 

 

With newer fuel injection and overdrive transmissions though 30mpg seems to be about the average for just about any new vehicle from around 2003 on up.

Are you serious. What V8 gets 30 mpg? I just got rid of my 2005 Dodge Ram with the 5.7 Hemi. It got 20 mpg on the highway if I did strictly 55 mph. If I went any faster the mileage dropped. My average mpg ranged from 10-15 mpg. It was fast and fun, but it really drink gas. I got rid of it for a 2008 Civic Si. It gets 33 mpg on the highway, but averages 20-25 around town. And it's a 4 cylinder! I can't think of 1 V8 that gets 30 mpg. And in Indiana I still see alot of SUVs and Big Trucks. You are starting to see alot of them with for sale signs in them though. I'm glad I got rid of mine last year when gas was still $2.60. Most people that have one now will get practically nothing for them.

 

On Topic:

 

I sadly see that America may be falling. We made credit way too easy. Most people are in debt, alot of middleclass jobs are moving offshore, we are becoming a service economy. We can't all serve each other. You need people who build stuff too. Alot of American's feel like they deserve everything, heck I feel that way. I don't know the solution but it looks like we are heading towards hard times, probly the whole world.

 

My opinion is that America will not fade into the background like other past empires like Great Britain or Rome. We'll probly go out in a blaze of glory by starting war after war, possibly shooting nukes off again.

I have a 1996 Chevy Silverado with the Vortech V8. I get 30mpg highway out of it. I just keep good oil in it, wrench on it when it needs it and I dont beat the f*ck out of the gas pedal.

 

A Hemi is a f*ckin beast.

[Ronnyboy]

DOOM your over reacting. America is in a recession and we always have these. With in a years time are economy will be back in tune. We might even have a prosperity period in our country.

 

However I believe you are becoming scared due to inflation. Inflation happens all the time and will always increase. Sooner or later other country's will have inflation leading our inflated dollar to (hopefully) gain over others. However we can not predict this as an a economy, but there is a chance of our dollar not gaining after inflation.

 

Pardon my ramble, I am tired and I felt like saying something. If this makes sense, I am going to be happy.

[Leftcoast]

 

Economists have been predicting this since the end of the Cold War. The world becomes unstable when in a state of unipolarity. The dominant nation tends to begin acting imperialistically, and spreads itself too thin, economically and militarily.

 

Currently, the US is importing more than it is exporting, and government spending exceeds tax revenue.

 

The prediction is that we will see a multi-polar world within the next ten to twenty years, as China and Russia have the potential to triple their economy.

 

EXACTLY! That's what I have been trying to tell the fascist Republicans. I swear they believe in VooDoo math or something, because they just can't add up the obvious. All they do is blindly follow morons..... like Bush.

 

 

Don't cars in the US have HUGE engines when compared to rest of the world? Perhaps this will encourage people to purchase smaller cars or even green/hybrid cars.

 

It's surprising to see how many people around here drive huge cars and trucks, and they never needed them in the first place; most of them that is. Don't forget that even economic cars here get crappy gas milage compared to cars only sold in Europe and Japan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AZSupraT]

Central and South America has been suffering the tax problems, and highly priced stuff for as long as i remember.

 

Now, the US is feeling the wrath. Does it feel good to earn just enough to buy the REALLY necessary items, americans?

[Shylock]

Central and South America has been suffering the tax problems, and highly priced stuff for as long as i remember.

 

Now, the US is feeling the wrath. Does it feel good to earn just enough to buy the REALLY necessary items, americans?

We can still buy whatever we want. We always will. The only set back is my brand new flat screen took me 3 months to budget for, when it would of only took me 2 months when gas was lower.

[TheJonesy]

Does any economist here have any idea what should be done? It isn't like you can convince the government to majorly switch to non-oil industries and to convince us superly-ignortant Americans to not buy what we don't need and to get up off our asses and ride a bike.

[latoc]

I think it may have something to do with the dollar slide:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although I'm no longer too certain about that. From another point of view the dollar may come back stronger than ever before.

Edited June 2, 2008 by latoc