The rich get richer and the poor get poorer

As somebody that has spent the last decade in journalism, I know what it is like to be broke.
Keep your head up.
The economy sucks, jobs (especially in New York) are not paying well and times are tough right now. We are in a recession, if people want to believe it or not.
All I can tell you is to just keep working hard, be a good person and things will work out for you.
Money doesn't mean squat. What matters is your wife and children. Hang in there and you will be okay.
McCain has some great plans to help folks in your situation, from what I hear. While things are tough now, they will get better.
The glass is half full my friend!

Brian, what your saying is clearly indicitive of the entire Washington Republican attitude, just work hard........I work and work and work, just to get myself through school and still can't afford quality health care, things aren't getting better.

John McCain still believes that the "fundementals" of our economy is strong, perhaps he should listen to folks like Tom, when things are bad for hardworking people like him and millions like him....something is wrong.

We need something new, the cut taxes and spend through the roof strategy of the last 8 years isn't working, John McCain doesn't provide anything different.

We need to look to the future with promise, but it all can't just be sunny optimism....a real economic plan is what we need to get us back on track.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/economyplan

Daniel,
I respect your opinion, but Obama wants to raise taxes and he's going to keep spending like current government does.
We live in a world where politicians are out to make big bucks and neither McCain or Obama is different.
I have held a steady job since the age of 13 when I cleaned softball fields for the beer leagues in Oakfield, and I think that you can get ahead with hard work. I'm not rich, but at least I'm making my student loan payments and not eating off the dollar menu like I used to.
I'll always vote Republican because that's who I am, but I don't see the end of the financial world like most people.
As an individual, just work hard and take care of the things in your world and you will be fine - that's all I'm saying.
The majority of people in this country - especially around here - are going to suffer financially. But we are so much better off than the middle-to-lower classes in other countries.
People complain about money, yet they have cable, a decent living space and for the most part can pay their bills.
Are we all living in million dollar homes, no. Do we all drive a brand new Lexus, no.
But if you work hard, you can support a family in this country.
When I was a kid I had clothing from the Salvation Army, yet because of my hard work I have a decent job and actually feel comfortable as a middle class American.
I hear way too often that things are bad and never hear that thinks are okay and have a chance to get better.

BTW, McCain is basically a Democrat pretending to be a Republican. He is nowhere near the second coming of George Bush - I've grown sick of hearing that.
And honestly, we should all be concerned about local elections rather than the guy that is going to be on TV representing our country.

Take it for what it's worth, but we are all not doomed to live in cardboard boxes feeding our children garbage from the pizza place in our neighborhood.

Hell, George Bush ain't even a Republic. He's certainly not conservative.

Excellent points, Mr. Hillabush. I am vocal about my support for John McCain, and people always accuse him of being another George Bush, just like you said. Couldn't be further from the truth. People in this country are all exposed to those wild assumptions and comparisons, in large part due to an American media that the majority of is Democratic, or for some reason just doesn't like conservatives.

Thank you Ben. But please don't call me Mr. Hillabush - I am not old enough to go by that yet.
Brian or Hilly is just fine with me.

Conservatives get a bad rep after Bush, who sucked as a pres (was a great public speaker though).

Ok, i'll take note of that, Brian. And Bush was wonderful as a speaker. Especially when he talked about "NUCULAR" weapons in the Middle East and North Korea.

Download his State of the Union speaches. You will be impressed.

In terms of being a great public speaker Reagan was probably the best public speaker to be President in our nations history, although Kennedy and Clinton give him a close ride.

I'm not gloomy and doomy, I've worked since I was 14, I understand the value of hard work and the role that it plays in our nation's greatness, that being said, when people have worked hard and the financial outlook of the country is holding us back, its time for something different.

People everywhere are working harder for less because of trickel down economics on steroids....and John McCain doesn't really plan anything different to help the people that are working hard, our government should be on their side.

Furthermore, for everyone who's living in the "investor class", or the upper middle-class whom are those making between 60-130k per year are really hurting. These individuals make up a majority of shareholders on the stock-market, individuals making between 30-50k are also getting squeezed out by rising gas prices rising without incomes going in the same direction. It doesn't mean we soak the rich, it does mean that we start using our tax policy to focus on those two groups. The poor, well, their even worse off.

As far as the Democrats raising everyones taxes, this debunks all the falsities:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/06/09/ST2008060…

I consider myself to be very fiscally conservative, I think that the Bush Administrations biggest (or one of its biggest) moral failures is leaving generations of debt to my generation and generations after that. Barack Obama is the only candidate pressing for a bottom up view of government spending and refocusing on the programs that work, McCain is a far cry from a fiscal conservative.

Things wont change in 4 years, either
For real change to occur you're looking at a full generation till completion and that's if =everyone= gets on board relatively quickly
50/50 country after the last 8 you're looking at your kids kids future
by that I mean everyones Kids Kids
Some will always make it even in the most dire of worldly situations

I'm afraid that Obama will end up being little more than the same type of "enthusiastic entity" the internet was for us
hopeHopeHOpeHOPeHOPE ..POP
What is inside the bubble that means real things

I like to think that as the years pass I get smarter. I’m not claiming it has worked that way, I just like to think it. I look back on my childhood fondly. I don’t remember us being poor, we didn’t seem to have any money but I didn’t think we were poor. We had clothes, food and a comfortable home. I can remember in the 70’s my father bringing home $116 a week. How I know the exact amount is kind of comical but that’s for another time. I have one brother and three sisters. If you adjust that to today, (according to ‘Business Weekly’s’ calculator) it comes out $344 a week for a family of seven. I have always had respect for my parents and what they did, but this reaches a whole new level of respect. How the heck did they do it? Let me tell you why I even tried figured this out. During my life I had not just different jobs, but a few different careers. Several years ago I achieved a six figure income. My wife. I and my two kids were living well. Yet, somehow in my head I felt we should have been living better. Yes, I know that sounds horrible but It’s how I felt. I started crunching numbers and it turned out that even though I was being wasteful in areas, it turned out my parents were beyond belief. I crunched the numbers again and again and I couldn't figure out how they provided so well for us with what they had. How were they able to do it? Unfortunately, a few years ago I fell ill. After a few months in the hospital and many more going to physical therapy I lost my business and my ability to earn a steady income. I am now on disability and earn less then 1/5th of what I was making. My in-laws helped me from losing my house with a low-interest mortgage. Yes, I’m very fortunate. Had a lot of help from my family as well. This is how I finally learned how my parents did it. First of all it was because they had too. The second thing I learned is, is it something we want or something we need? I think this is what Brian was saying. The choices are hard but have to be made. Sometimes the hardest choice is when there is no other choice. We now get 90% of our clothes at Salvation Army yet, my kids get compliments from their teachers even. We eat well but what I buy and how I cook have changed. It turns out saving money has to be looked at as a job. The more time you put into meal planning the less you spend. Buying clothes at the SA takes a lot of time. You can’t just run in and find something. Clothing trips need planning. Our Saturdays are at the SA and Sundays for food, yes it takes time save money. Whether it’s cable vs. rabbit ears, cell phone vs. pay phone, internet vs. library, or McDonalds vs. a PB&J. The choices are there. We’ve done without all of the first in the list above. It’s not easy, but if that’s what my folks had to do I should be able to as well. Thanks Mom and Dad, I finally get it!

Sorry, it was in paragragh form when I typed it.

The saddest fact- despite the sorry state of the economy; we gripe and complain- yet we keep going to the same poisoned well. My neighbor's dog is more intelligent than Bush, McCain hasn't shined since Art Linkletter went off the air, and if Obama judged Joe Biden his best pick... There are a dozen or more parties besides gridlock I and gridlock II.

This is what we need more of, blunt honesty, a realistic assessment and a plan for the future:

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www.barackobama.com/plan

Since we are on the topic of doom and gloom, it’s better to think about things you can control. I found this Article about the 10 most secure jobs to be interesting and it pays to be prepared.

http://www.buffalonews.com/businesstoday/localbusiness/story/421972.html

P.S. Lets not all run down to the track for a job application at once either.

Your saftey is most important.
You are responsible for your wife and kids.
If it happens again and you feel bad throw him your lunch.
The best thing I like about Batavia is that there is help for any homeless person. Ever see someone in town sleeping on sidewalk ?
Unless there is a smoking crumpled car near the person keep going.
This is Batavia and as much as we can complain, people help each other and things will work themselves out.
Besides you have to have a liscence to peddle and panhandling is illegal.
They can arrest you for loitering if you hang out too long and dont have proper identification and i think its still five dollars in your pocket ?

If they are really homeless they will find out quick in Batavia.
Other wise they are playing you. I would say Salvation army on East Main street.

If you can figure out how to run a chat room for the batavian i bet they would hire you.

I will tell you true fact.
sometimes ERIE and Monroe counties get so burdened with "homeless" people with what ever problems and they buy them bus tickets to Batavia. we have excellent drug rehab and social service programs.

YOUR website :
Its not a chat room for the batavian members and its not designed to use soley about this site.

If you can "provide a server and moderate" then I am sure the batavian would be interested.

I have no affilliation with the batavian other than being a registered member and very nosy with major opinionated views.

I learned a few things.

Tommy G has shown his expertise and mastery of the computer in the passed with his on line store and recient dotcom. I have enjoyed watching his progress and abilities grow, this young man needs a break in life, he is a hard working old school work ethic style person.
I agree GDD:lets set up a chat room with Tommy G and see what he's got.
SS

I am a 31 year old truck driver, who has lived in Batavia most his life. Due to current economic, social and moral deprevity of Batavia, I have seeked greener, warmer and safer cow pastures.

Some substantial discrepencies I have noted in my 1st few days of residency :

1. Jobs - being close 2 Cincy, Columbus, I -71 and I-75 (FREE federal interstates?) has it's advantages. Didn't know there could be factories in rural America. Guess that's since they don't tax the hell out of them as much here. OH was rated best 4 biz b4. Now TX has that honor. Oh yeah, location, location. It's nice to have a neighboring state, other than a canadian province which has drained all your jobs, money, culture and young intellilects. WNY gets 2 keep the trash since they can't cross the border.

2. Weather - there is this large, helium based orb in the sky. The locals call it the sun. It's visible 4 most the day, eh? Other than generating clouds and harboring toxic fish, I don't see much use 4 Lake Erie. NV and AZ have got money, but no water. Build a pipe and sell some 2 them. Maybe the lake would freeze sooner in the winter, hence less lake effect.

3. Vehicles - very FEW bicyclists here. I just about have the sidewalks 2 myself. Seems that folks can have a vehicle on the road when they are not bureaucraticly harassed into being subjected to extensive annual "safety and emission" standards. As long as I'm insured, politicians and environuts make gr8 speed bumps 4 my whoopdie.

4. Eye contact - still getting used 2 this one. I attempt 2 establish and maintain this when I innitiate a conversation (especially with women), but stangers here look u in the eye. Folks must not want 2 brawl or beg as much here.

5. Optimism amongst general population - instead of sitting around, fighting and legislating, people here get of their butts and ACT. This country was BASED on action. Red tape don't solve much, but a case of the red behind does.

6. Hockey - who knew Columbus had a pro hockey team affiliated with the NHL? :O) Blue Slackers r a joke! GO SABRES!

I saw that guy at Richmond Library. He looks like the Geico cave man. If he has the mental capability 2 tap keys on a computer keyboard, surely he can work somewhere. Just another person who has quit on life. I never will. Thats's why I moved. I'm not letting Batavia's caste system dictate who I am and my potential. May as well live in India my friend...

"I am a 31 year old truck driver, who has lived in Batavia most his life. Due to current economic, social and moral deprevity of Batavia, I have seeked greener, warmer and safer cow pastures". (J T Doe wrote).

I hope you find :

Rainbows
Lolipops
Greener Grass
Better Opportunities
Thanks for stopping
Bye Bye NOW !

If you ever need a chat moderator, let me know. I was a moderator (host) for chat rooms for over 8 years for, but not exclusive to, MSNBC; Discovery Channel; A&E; History Channel: eBay; TLC; and others.

Thanks, Bea. That's good to know.

I already found a job that actually has HEALTH, DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE! Imagine that. Oh yeah, I no longer have an ACTIVE crack/pot house operation across the street from my residence. Did I foget to mention that is going on in a school zone? Oh yeah, Batavia PD is also in on the ring. OOOOOOOOOOOOOPS. Did I say to much? YOU WANT REAL NEWS? I'll start naming names to the DEA. Legalize pot in Batavia. Half your GPD is based on it. Suckers. I hope the Apocolypse starts in Batavia. I'll come back to help J - man punish all the hethenistic hyprocrits. From the city council, down the line. Take out the trash. It's getting ripe there. Can't ya smell it? I can from here. You are not me. Thank God. OUT.

he does look like geico man. looks like a taliban member. scared the hell out of me at first because he wears his wrap around sun glasses indoors, inside the library. didn't have the gall, gumption or rudeness to peak at this screen when he was next to me, so not sure about the nature of his web surfing. hopefully he was looking for a job on this site. (there's ya promo Mr. Phil). he's there on a consistent basis. he sits on the west side of the room. uses that row of older comps. i would of tossed him a few bucks had i known he was bad off. he's skinny, but he'd be a good bouncer or security guard. he's what we used to call a "visual detterant" in the biz. who wants to rumble with a cave man? I don't! :)

What is GPD ?

"Somebody told us wall street fell,but we were so poor that we couldn't tell"

Bailout still needs to pass, Tom. Only Senate has approved.

And, if it passes house, we'll just have to see. I remain skeptical, but I've read enough opinions about how it will work, that I'm not dead set on the idea that it won't. If it does, it could be very good for all of us; if not, very bad. But doing nothing could be really bad, too.

This bailout bill shows you how self centered all these Senators really are...Its now 451 pages long and loaded with 110 billion dollars worth of pork ...every thing from a tax break to make wooden arrows for kids to play with to study wool on sheep...this is why we need to revolt.Howard,you say doing nothing could be bad,well maybe doing something like this will be worst.All they keep saying is its not all for wall street but main street. Thats all bs ,its for k street, the lobbyist that got all this pork crap put in..i thought buying votes was illegal..If you have good credit and can afford it you can borrow money.. The People say dont do it and they are doing it anyways..What happen to OF THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE. Socialism Sucks..

Mark,
Once again you did your homework. You are right, this things has so much pork to buy votes you know its bad. If if had been a good bill, they would not need to load it up, it would have passed on its own. lets hope the house rejects it.

Mark couldn't be more right. That bailout pork is a disgrace and it shows how out of touch these people are with the people they rule and i do mean rule. They dont care what we think as long as their seat isnt up. It's funny how that is the only factor to how they vote, not party this time.