Comments on: The American People and Hard Times

By: Susan Lloyd

Susan Lloyd — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:18:03 +0000

Question: Why do we keep letting power-lusting politicians create these hard times for us? To improve our characters? The Roosevelt administration took a financial crisis caused by the government in the first place, and stretched it out like taffy over a dozen years, by placing huge new burdens on the back of a fragile economy. By 1937, unemployment had climbed back up to where it was in 1933, at the height of the depression. The current administration has vowed, very explicitly, to use the Roosevelt administration as a model. I think there are better ways to build national character.

By: Jeff Brown

Jeff Brown — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:50:55 +0000

Peter — Exactly! My first brush with spirit crushing times was the post Carter recession. FHA was 16.5%, prime rate was 21%, and inflation was well into double digits. I emerged as a different man in two ways. I lost my cockiness, as it was false anyway, and I gained a core confidence in myself that’s only grown over the years. Not too much gets to me now.

Good to hear from someone who’s shared my experiences.

By: Jeff Brown

Jeff Brown — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:46:06 +0000

Jeremy — One thing I’ve learned about widespread hard times, is that we all look to each other for moral support. Knowing we’re not alone is more valuable than we think.

By: Jeff Brown

Jeff Brown — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:43:29 +0000

Mark — your first time in the hard times barrel as an adult shows the world and you the quality of your character. Sounds to me you’re finding yourself rising to the challenge.

By: Peter Giardini

Peter Giardini — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:50:22 +0000

Jeff… what a tremendous story. Coming from the same decade… I was born in 55′, and having grown up in small town USA, (Mandan North Dakota) I tracked with everything you wrote.

The hard times suck! And if someone ever tells you they haven’t experienced hard times they are either lying or aren’t living!

I know I am speaking to the choir when I say… it’s not what you experience… it’s how you respond… that makes the difference.

Great post!

Pete

By: Jeremy Ashburn

Jeremy Ashburn — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:33:05 +0000

Hard Times. Wow. Very fascinating story. I’ve been in the work force since 2002 and have never faced times like today. Your story really paints the big picture about sucking things up and working hard to survive hard times. I am a recruiter who works in the transportation industry; I saw my income drop by 60% in 2009. 60%! In order to survive my wife and have become a tighter team, she went to work, and we both started side businesses to develop separate streams of income. 2009 was my Valley of the Shadow of Death. I’m still mostly there. During this time I’ve really discovered that the Lord has been with me, lead me, and guided me. I’ve started into the black abyss and realized that I wasn’t alone. Amazing.

By: Mark S.

Mark S. — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:45:42 +0000

That’s one hell of a story Jeff. While this is my first run through tough times, I agree with your sentiment. Challenging times bring out the best in some and the worst in others. Those that choose to persevere instead of giving up and taking the never-ending handouts are building the thick skin to really blossom when things pick up again.