Tent Cities On The Rise

[YumYum]

wait, what?

Please read Upton Sinclair's book "The Jungle". It is shocking.

 

[YumYum]

I hate to tell you, but that isn't a feature of the free market. You're a crazy person.

Lowering wages DECREASES the pool of workers, it doesn't increase it. It also increases the number of job openings.

And woman can trade sexual favors for favor in ANY economy.

ITT statists make up arguments to support government intervention in job markets.

Your argument is true in a free market utopia. We are not in a free market utopia. We are heading for massive unemployment. When millions upon millions of people are unemployeed they will work for food. Women who do not bestow sexual favors will be forced to do so if they want to eat. This happens in third world countries where they have free markets. It will happen here. Read Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle". People do crazy things when they are hungry.

 

[tmosley]

Your argument is true in a free market utopia. We are not in a free market utopia. We are heading for massive unemployment. When millions upon millions of people are unemployeed they will work for food. Women who do not bestow sexual favors will be forced to do so if they want to eat. This happens in third world countries where they have free markets. It will happen here. Read Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle". People do crazy things when they are hungry.

You think "The Jungle" is anything more than Communist propaganda?

I really want to lay into you for being so stupid, but I think you would be better served by reading some books that aren't written by moronic socialists (you know, the guys who destroyed Russia, North Korea, and Indochina?). I would suggest you go to mises.org for some actual logical arguments, rather than reactionary tripe. They have several excellent articles on the Industrial Revolution. I would suggest you start there.

 

[Isaac Bickerstaff]

Years ago, each county had a "poor farm" where the poor could opt out of the American dream/nightmare and take care of themselves. If we are worried about all the empty jails out there absorbing poor Americans, we should preempt the FEMA camps and reestablish the poor farms -- only have them in the private sector. I would love to have a dozen or so poor people willing to help me farm my land in exchange for a place to live, food to eat and a meager stipend.

I guess people just aren't hungry enough yet. I can't really feel sorry for anyone until I have to turn productive people away.

 

[stag15]

Uh, did you not understand the concept of poor people getting roommates? If you had five+ wage earners living in a house, they would be able to afford everything they needed and be able to put some back while living in relative comfort (ie better than a tent). My mother came to live with me because she wasn't able to make it on her own any more. Her meager, less than minimum wage income really helps out, as does the work she does around the house. There is an economy of scale here, one which makes me want to invite more people to live with us. Why do you think immigrants have so many roommates? You thought they liked the company?

We didn't "give away" our manufacturing base. We ran it out of town on a rail with our high tax rates and onerous regulations (including minimum wages, which denied entry level jobs to many workers). Wage inflation is one of the factors that has come about from biased union regulations imposed by the Federal government.

Honestly, what the hell is this argument? It's straight out of the Obama forums. I guess we Americans are entitled to a better way of life no matter what, huh? I guess we are somehow immune to the consequences of our habits, and those of our governments? I guess everyone has to make more than $10/hour to survive, no matter their circumstances.

Lovely. Really.

Ok, so I just got a job at MCDs. I am a college student. My cost of living (not including cost to go to school) is under $500/month (it is really closer to $400). Working 15 hours per week at $7.25 pays for most of my cost of living. I only have one room mate in a 4 bed room house. Our only electricity use is lights, washing machine, and refrigerator. If we had more roommates, my cost of living would probably drop another $50-100 per month. My 15hr per week job would cover my total cost of living.

I am tired of people saying you can't do it. If I can pay for gasoline, food, rent, and utilities with a 15hr/week minimum wage job, then anyone can. Yes, I am not living the 'American' life, but I am extremely comfortable. 2 billion people in this world live on much less than I do, and they make it. This country really is a nation of whiners.

 

[armstrong]

Free market utopia---- such we all wish !!!!!-- In a true free market,(question) where does Morality and Greed come in to play? (Answer) City after City and town after town and communities all over America over the past 35 years or so have slowly become impoverished after raising their standard of living in the previous 40-50 years why? because in a true free market lack of morality and GREED come into play How? this is how------------small town to big city business spring up, we make things, standard of living goes up---Big employer has lots of workers towns and city's and communities depend on them, hmm Employer says I can make more money taking my business (manufacturing) elsewhere putting lots of workers out of work--- good for employer free market and he can still sell his product in the USA. times this by thousands, because you see even the business (employer) also gets his supplies from other businesses and they in turn do the same. (because of Profit) OK this is good for the profit....what about morality? the towns people the residents of all these communities built up your business Mr. business man so that you could even consider seeking even more profit.

Yes I agree on personal responsibility and banks loaning money the should not have and people borrowing money they can not afford.

Price of Goods and services go up because of costs and profit -best example :real estate, Food.

Now put a grand chunk of Americans out of work slowely over years and here we are

This is just my opionion and my rant

 

[armstrong]

tent cities will continue to grow if all we have left for most people is part time work and very low paying part time work and prices do not fall for goods and services by at least 50% geez maybe we should build and make things here......

 

[s35wf]

Ok, so I just got a job at MCDs. I am a college student. My cost of living (not including cost to go to school) is under $500/month (it is really closer to $400). Working 15 hours per week at $7.25 pays for most of my cost of living. I only have one room mate in a 4 bed room house. Our only electricity use is lights, washing machine, and refrigerator. If we had more roommates, my cost of living would probably drop another $50-100 per month. My 15hr per week job would cover my total cost of living.

I am tired of people saying you can't do it. If I can pay for gasoline, food, rent, and utilities with a 15hr/week minimum wage job, then anyone can. Yes, I am not living the 'American' life, but I am extremely comfortable. 2 billion people in this world live on much less than I do, and they make it. This country really is a nation of whiners.

How do you get a 500 month cost of living including utiltities for a 4 bedroom house??? I have a 3 bedroom and JUST utilities are almost 400 month for elec, water, gas, internet, telephone. In my area you cannot even rent a 1 bedroom apt for 500 month; so either your living at your parents/relatives OR your house is paid for, Or your living in an abandoned foreclosure squatting on someone else's property. Or perhaps someone is letting you live in their property rent/mortgage free??? So do tell us HOW to get cost of living under $500 month????

 

[tmosley]

He splits it with a roommate. Silly billy.

 

[stag15]

How do you get a 500 month cost of living including utiltities for a 4 bedroom house??? I have a 3 bedroom and JUST utilities are almost 400 month for elec, water, gas, internet, telephone. In my area you cannot even rent a 1 bedroom apt for 500 month; so either your living at your parents/relatives OR your house is paid for, Or your living in an abandoned foreclosure squatting on someone else's property. Or perhaps someone is letting you live in their property rent/mortgage free??? So do tell us HOW to get cost of living under $500 month????

I knew this would be asked. My rent is $330, includes satellite tv/internet (this is what my landlord charges, he is probably losing money right now since only 2 rooms are filled. I am not sure if he owns the house outright or not. I actually haven't met the guy yet). Utilities are about $30-40 per month. Remember I don't use AC/heat. Only a frig, washer/dryer, lights. We never leave stuff running. My food bill is very low. I eat for about $2-3 per day (basics like sphagettit, PB&J, soups, etc). Also, I buy food in bulk and make a bunch at once to last for days.

 

[armstrong]

Ok, so I just got a job at MCDs. I am a college student. My cost of living (not including cost to go to school) is under $500/month (it is really closer to $400). Working 15 hours per week at $7.25 pays for most of my cost of living. I only have one room mate in a 4 bed room house. Our only electricity use is lights, washing machine, and refrigerator. If we had more roommates, my cost of living would probably drop another $50-100 per month. My 15hr per week job would cover my total cost of living.

I am tired of people saying you can't do it. If I can pay for gasoline, food, rent, and utilities with a 15hr/week minimum wage job, then anyone can. Yes, I am not living the 'American' life, but I am extremely comfortable. 2 billion people in this world live on much less than I do, and they make it. This country really is a nation of whiners.

You can, most can, survive and not go in dept for sometime If you are young and healthy but is all that you want is to survive ! thats not whining

 

[catdd]

With winter approaching, some of these people in the colder climates will probably pull their resources and rent an older home.
We are not as far gone as during the great depression but it's obviously coming.
I agree that we shouldn't be afraid - we should be prepared.

 

[Cowlesy]

Somewhat on-topic with respect to bringing back jobs, I had a meeting with a chinese businessman and colleague this morning to discuss regulations and start-up costs on a new venture. I kept asking, "What about X, Y and Z?" and he smiled and replied, "We don't have all that red tape and regulation". When I inquired if this was a 2010 or 2011 project (because by the sounds of it I'd think it'd take a year), he expected to do his first closing on the project in 1Q10.

We're regulating ourselves into poverty. End the minimum wage.

 

[angelatc]

Janet Napolitano plans on putting the illegals up in california hotels that have closed due to the economy - at least until she finds a way to make them legal democrats.
These poor people are citizens that get nothing.

I can send them some matches.

 

[angelatc]

Somewhat on-topic with respect to bringing back jobs, I had a meeting with a chinese businessman and colleague this morning to discuss regulations and start-up costs on a new venture. I kept asking, "What about X, Y and Z?" and he smiled and replied, "We don't have all that red tape and regulation". When I inquired if this was a 2010 or 2011 project (because by the sounds of it I'd think it'd take a year), he expected to do his first closing on the project in 1Q10.

We're regulating ourselves into poverty. End the minimum wage.

Absolutely. Free trade isn't fair trade.

I just read an article about Nike and other firms who jumped out of one of the big business alliances so they could back Cap & Trade, because none of the countries they manufacturer their shoes in are going to sign on.

 

[silverhandorder]

There is no excuse for minimum wage. Older people that make McDonalds their career deserve to be just surviving.

 

[s35wf]

I knew this would be asked. My rent is $330, includes satellite tv/internet (this is what my landlord charges, he is probably losing money right now since only 2 rooms are filled. I am not sure if he owns the house outright or not. I actually haven't met the guy yet). Utilities are about $30-40 per month. Remember I don't use AC/heat. Only a frig, washer/dryer, lights. We never leave stuff running. My food bill is very low. I eat for about $2-3 per day (basics like sphagettit, PB&J, soups, etc). Also, I buy food in bulk and make a bunch at once to last for days.

You are very lucky to have such a low rent. Hell way back in the 80's when i was in school i was paying 400 mth for a 1 bedroom efficiency apt! (it was more like 2 rooms 1 kitchen, 1 combo livingroom/bedroom.) I actually slept with my head/half of bed in the large closet in the mainroom

When your young & healthy you can live on spaghetti, white cheap bread, pbj sandwiches, etc.... When you get older you will pay dearly for your cheap food eating with your health detoriating. Believe me i know. Start eating better! Your food diet is a diabetic nightmare waiting to happen when your older!

For healthier eating info read www.naturalnews.com and start staying away from White food; especially white bread!

 

[silverhandorder]

You are very lucky to have such a low rent. Hell way back in the 80's when i was in school i was paying 400 mth for a 1 bedroom efficiency apt! (it was more like 2 rooms 1 kitchen, 1 combo livingroom/bedroom.) I actually slept with my head/half of bed in the large closet in the mainroom

When your young & healthy you can live on spaghetti, white cheap bread, pbj sandwiches, etc.... When you get older you will pay dearly for your cheap food eating with your health detoriating. Believe me i know. Start eating better! Your food diet is a diabetic nightmare waiting to happen when your older!

For healthier eating info read www.naturalnews.com and start staying away from White food; especially white bread!

You also don't know where he lives. If it is in the suburbs it would make more sense then if it was in a big city. Plus it seems like he is comfortable minus the food. If he were to split the room with another person he would gain even more of a discount, sacrificing luxury.

Btw on food, you should buy groceries and make your own food. It will be a bit more expensive but your health won't suffer in the long run.

 

[YumYum]

Somewhat on-topic with respect to bringing back jobs, I had a meeting with a chinese businessman and colleague this morning to discuss regulations and start-up costs on a new venture. I kept asking, "What about X, Y and Z?" and he smiled and replied, "We don't have all that red tape and regulation". When I inquired if this was a 2010 or 2011 project (because by the sounds of it I'd think it'd take a year), he expected to do his first closing on the project in 1Q10.

We're regulating ourselves into poverty. End the minimum wage.

When conditions get bad enough the minium wage will be ignored, so it doesn't matter if we got rid of it or not. I am glad you mentioned China. They are the premier example of how capitalism can work with a government at the wheel. Even though they put the collective first over the individual, they are opening the door for their people to become the wealthiest on Earth. Bill Gates said they will be the world's super economic power, and that America will become a third world nation. Some people on this forum want workers to be able to earn $3.00 an hour. They will get their wish and more. When our economy collapses, people will work for $3.00 a day.

 

[silverhandorder]

When conditions get bad enough the minium wage will be ignored, so it doesn't matter if we got rid of it or not. I am glad you mentioned China. They are the premier example of how capitalism can work with a government at the wheel. Even though they put the collective first over the individual, they are opening the door for their people to become the wealthiest on Earth. Bill Gates said they will be the world's super economic power, and that America will become a third world nation. Some people on this forum want workers to be able to earn $3.00 an hour. They will get their wish and more. When our economy collapses, people will work for $3.00 a day.

Doesn't what you said make your argument moot? If the bad times come and minimum wage wont be followed then why have it? Especially if the only reason why we must have it now is to protect some women from offering their bodies. Plus I hope you are not going to argue that it is beneficial economically.