What Happened To Our Great and Prosperous Country?
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
United States
July 7, 2008 8:52am CST
Today I read a online news article titled "Economy puts strain on food banks".
As I was reading the article, I couldn't help but wonder, "what in the world happened to our great and prosperous country".
I just can't remember so many things going so wrong at the same time. I know that food banks have always existed, but what I read, really opened my eyes to the depth of the problem here in America.
With food prices soaring, food pantries across the nation find themselves facing record demand for their services.
And unable to cope with the need, many have had to limit the quantity of food they hand out and the number of clients they serve.
"Our lobby is full," said Belinda Crawford, executive director of the Santa Clarita pantry, which saw a 53 percent increase in clients during the first quarter of this year.
"Our shelves are getting very empty."
The need is especially pressing right now. Summer is the slow time for donations, but demand increases because children of low-income families do not receive free and reduced-price lunches when school is out.
At the same time, the organizations that feed the most needy are having to deal with the same skyrocketing food and gas prices that are bringing even more clients to their doors.
Some food banks are seeing spikes as high as 30 percent or 40 percent.
"Everyone is hurting," Fraser said. "Demand is up everywhere. ... The bottom line: It's only going to get worse as gas and food prices increase."
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, which provides food to roughly 900 area agencies, has seen demand increases of between 5 percent and 25 percent in the last six months.
"This is probably the highest demand we have seen in our history," said Darren Hoffman, spokesman for the 35-year-old food bank.
Some agencies are reducing the amount of food they give to clients, while others have stopped adding new clients, he said.
At Grace Resource Center, a faith-based emergency food distribution center in Lancaster, new faces are showing up daily.
"We have a lot more families than we have ever had," said Steve Baker, the center's executive director. "It is not just about food; it is about a roof over their head."
The center feeds roughly 8,000 people a month with meals offered three times a week in Lancaster and once a week in Palmdale, Baker said. Emergency groceries can be picked up once a month.
Most clients are the working poor and grandparents raising their grandkids, Baker said, but now the struggles are reaching into the middle class.
I really feel so sad for all the people who are having trouble making ends meet.
I just cant believe that so many things are going wrong here in America. Just 10 years ago, it seems like everything was heading in the right direction.
What went so wrong in America?
Why are we seeing such a large increase in people using food banks?
Do you think the situation will get any better soon?
Lloyd
7 people like this
19 responses
@capirani (2773)
• United States
7 Jul 08
To put it simply (and this may make some people mad) but the failing of our country began when people started trying to take God out of our country, and until we start working together to bring God back into our country, it will continue to fail. The Bible says "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." Take prayer out of schools, under God from the Pledge of Allegience, the 10 Commandments out of the courthouses, and more....really, what did everyone expect to happen?
2 people like this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
7 Jul 08
You are the second person to suggest that taking God out of our country is affecting our standard of living here in the United States.
Read post #3 of this discussion.
revdauphinee wrote:
"our land is in deep trouble and I believe the cause is simply this we have taken God out of our lives in this c ountry".
This may well have something to do with the conditions we find ourselves in these days.
Lloyd
2 people like this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
10 Jul 08
I realize that a president can't satisfy everyone, but a president can affect the lives of many.
I believe the Bush Presidency has been nothing less than a disastor and will go down in history as such.
I belive he has really hurt this country in many ways.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@capirani (2773)
• United States
10 Jul 08
I know it is not a popular response. But if you want the truth...it won't matter who is in the White House. No one president can satisfy everyone and there will be problems and complaints. Only putting our trust back in God where it was when this country was started can do anything to turn things around. But it isn't the "politically correct" thing to do, so....???
1 person likes this
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
7 Jul 08
our land is in deep troubel and i believe the cause is simply this we have taken God out of our lives in this c ountry and the result is he has taken his hand of of us he tells us in @nd Chronicles what the answer is but i doubt it will be followed as it is not polliticaly correct in our humanistic society!
14. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 people like this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
7 Jul 08
You may be right. Something is definately happening in our country for the worse.
At times the problems seem overwhelming.
Devine intervention may be the last hope for straightening out all the problems that exist.
Lloyd
3 people like this
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
7 Jul 08
I don't think it's just your country facing this. We have the same thing going on in Canada. There are way too many people in rich countries like ours using food banks.
I think it's a whole lot of factors, but, a lot of users are the working poor who can't survive on the low minimum wage. I think here it's the fact that housing is too expensive, and some people are spending 75% of their pay on housing, and when the end of the month comes, they have no money for food. I don't know what the answer is, but affordable housing would be a start.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
7 Jul 08
You are the second person to remind me that times are difficult throughout the world.
I can't imagine surviving on a minimum wage salary.
There used to be talk of affordable housing here in the United States, but there is a lot of opposition to it.
It seems as if people don't want affordable housing near their neighborhoods and many don't want to subsidize it.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
7 Jul 08
Dare I stir up the hornet's next and say one of the problems has been this administration and also the other elected officials. They have watched and squandered the money. The amount of money this country owes is staggering. If we ran our household income the way they do, no one would let us continue to borrow. You are right about increases in demand for extra food and the cost of fuel. Many people are being pinched to the point not having the extra money to give to help others less fortunate. My husband and I are making ends meet but there is nothing left to save or buy anything extra. I have applied for jobs to help out but most of them never respond, probably because I have not worked in several years and I am "older" so there is the "age discrimination" problem. I find myself saying that I could afford to give a couple of dollars to help but not like I used to. If the demand for oil and wheat, etc does not ease up we may see deeper problems. I have to wonder if the "stimulus" money really helped. Those that could afford to buy extras did and those who could not afford them either put the money away or in the gas tank, grocery stores.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
7 Jul 08
I agree with you. This administration in particular and other elected officials in general have basically destroyed our economy.
Our tremendous debt causes so many problems. For one it contributes to the weakening of the dollar versus other currencies. That leads to higher prices for everthing we import, particullarly fuel.
I'm sure some people benefitted from the stimulus checks, but overall it's really not doing anything to jumpstart this economy. If anything, things seem to be getting worse.
LLoyd
2 people like this
@rosema (1145)
• Philippines
7 Jul 08
Hi friend, i think this kind of situation is not just happening to your country, i think it happens to all country. here in our place, almost everyweek the oil company increases their oil prices and beacuse of that, almost all products and the fare go high. thanks and I hope everything will be ok in the near future. have a nice day.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
7 Jul 08
Thanks for reminding me that these problems aren't only happening in the United States.
The high cost of fuel hurts people everywhere.
I'm just not so used to reading stories about American needing food banks to survive.
I think that's ashame. I also hope that everything will be ok for your country and our country very soon.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@Gargoyle0134 (1257)
• United States
7 Jul 08
It met the Bush family. UGH!
I do believe the economy will re-balance in time, but not immediately.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
7 Jul 08
I know that the Bush administration is parcially to blame for some of our economic woes, but there has to be more to it than that.
I think the fact that so many good paying American jobs disappeared has something to do with it. A lot of people are just making less money.
Can you think of any other reasons for our decline in living standards?
Lloyd
2 people like this
@Gargoyle0134 (1257)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Yes. Because too much money is going into WAR instead of our domestic issues right here in the USA! I am a retired vet and even I can see that this is hogwash! We cannot police the entire world. But we CAN do things here at home and need the war money to help citizens here!
I honour the troops that are having to go through this? But NOT the government policy makers that are supporting it! (I am ready to vote in others!)
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
10 Jul 08
Gargoyle0134
I agree with you. I think 12 billions dollars per week in Iraq is just too much money that could used for much better things.
Yet they don't want to help people out who have no medical insurance.
Just where are their priorities?
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
8 Jul 08
well, from what i had learnt about US is US people are in so much debts and that is because they life beyond their limits... they spend more than what they earn and it is slowly destroying the country... unless US people stop spending so much and start to be wiser in managing their money, i think the situation will get worst... this is my opinion though and i can be wrong... take care and have a nice day...
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Hello bdugas.
I agree that many Americans live beyond their means.
It's not all George Bush's fault, but I do believe his economic policies have contributed to some of our problems. I think his deregulation of many of the financial institutions opened the door for a lot of immoral and maybe illegal activity.
As for the war in Iraq, I am one who feels that we took our eyes off of the prize when we took our focus off of Al-Queda and Afghanistan.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@bdugas (3578)
• United States
8 Jul 08
No you are right, they live in big houses with morgage notes that they barely make every month, their goal is to keep up or ahead of the neighbors, but then they say oh it is all George Bush's fault. Easy to blame someone else. Their credit card debt is out of sight. People need to take more responsiblity in helping themselves, not digging us in deeper. AS for this war, we have held them over there not having to fight them on our soil. Things was beginning to get out of hand way before we went to war with Iraq, the president that gets elected get the problems that are pushed to the side when the other president goes out of office, but you don't hear people yelling the last president screwed us up, let put all the blame on the new one.
@RebeccaLynn (2256)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Well for starters, the Bush administration took us into war with the wrong country rather than go after those who hit us in the first place. As a result, we have run up tremendous debt and it will just keep climbing.
Then we decided to turn corn into ethanol. Corn is now the money crop. So the price went up. Corn not only feeds us, but those around the world. It also provides food for our livestock. Corn prices rise, that effects how much a dairy farmer spends on feed, which in turn effects the price of milk. Same thing with chickens and our beef products. With few farmers growing wheat, there is a shortage, which has pushed the price up causing bread and flour to go up.
The food shortage and prices are due to a misguided attempt to make ethanol our primary fuel source. As far as gas and our sour economy...blame Bush. We tick off the wrong countries (the ones that we buy oil from) and they stop selling us as much oil.
Then you have the oil executives that claim that they aren't price gouging but we all know that they are.
Combine the stupidity with the out right greed and we all suffer. It will get worse before it gets better.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
8 Jul 08
You've made many valid points. I agree that we went after the wrong country when we invaded Iraq.
You've explained the consequences of using food for fuel better than I could do it, so I can only say that I agree with you on that one too.
I'm not to sure if Bush's so called "Cowboy Diplomacy" has an effect on whether different countries sell us oil or not. I believe they all love the dollar.
I believe it will get worse before improving, but I hope that I'm wrong.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
8 Jul 08
I think Bush has to take some responsibility for the direction the country has gone in.
He is the CEO of our country. He shouldn't have applied for the job if he wasn't able to respond to the challenges that the job presents.
We don't know what Barack Obama will do, but I have more faith in him due to his intellegence and desire to confront these problems head on.
In my opinion, President Bush is overwhelmed by the problems that face the American people.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@bdugas (3578)
• United States
8 Jul 08
That is right let's blame Bush for all that is wrong with this country when most of it was already going on when he got in, so he has to deal with it now that it is out of hand. I get so tired of seeing and reading BLAME BUSH, is that everyones way out. Wait till you get Obama the snake in there, he will make it to where you won't be able to buy a gallon of milk, cause he will take any programs there is to help the poor and disabled away from them. You haven't seen anything bad yet till he gets in, hope you ca live with life then.
@visitorinvasion (7709)
• United States
9 Jul 08
What went wrong is that collectively we all have increasingly turned a blind eye to the goings on in our country since they deaths of the Kennedy brothers. We have simply trusted our elected officials to do their jobs and work in the best interest of the people. All the while we have bantered back and forth amongst each other about suspected monkey business and so-called conspiracy theories never actually allowing ourselves to believe that something so horrific could ever come true.
Now, as a result of stolen elections and hard telling what else, there is nearly 4 trillion dollars missing from the pentagon. Trillions have been spent on this sad repeat of Viet Nam going on in Iraq...and to top it off, another 170 billion dollars was given to Israel.
I wonder why the world can't afford to eat.
@visitorinvasion (7709)
• United States
13 Jul 08
He's gonna make a big difference all right, but my gut says it won't be for our good.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
13 Jul 08
Tell me a little more about this "gut" feeling you have.
As president, Barack Obama says he will implement a 21st century economic agenda to help ensure that America can compete in a global economy, and ensure the middle class is thriving and growing. He will increase investments in infrastructure, energy independence, education, and research and development; modernize and simplify our tax code so it provides greater opportunity and relief to more Americans; and implement trade policies that benefit American workers and increase the export of American goods.
As you are well aware, our middle class is really hurting. Why do you say this won't be for our good?
You make it sound as if Barack Obama is going to intentionally do something to hurt the American people. I just don't perceive it that way.
Here is his plan to Restore Fiscal Discipline to Washington.
He wants to reinstate PAYGO Rules: Obama believes that a critical step in restoring fiscal discipline is enforcing pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budgeting rules which require new spending commitments or tax changes to be paid for by cuts to other programs or new revenue.
Tell me how this will hurt the American people.
He also wants to reverse Bush Tax Cuts for the Wealthy:
Obama will protect tax cuts for poor and middle class families, but he will reverse most of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest taxpayers.
The majority of American fall in the catagory of poor and middle class.
Tell me how reversing the Bush Tax Cuts for the Wealthy will hurt average Americans.
I think you need to go to http://www.BarackObama.com and read more about his plans to improve the standard of living for Americans like you and me. Tell me what you think if you go there.
LLoyd
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
10 Jul 08
From all of the corruption we've seen in government, it's obvious that our elected officials sometimes don't work in the best interest of the American people.
They treat taxpayer money like it's their personal slush fund.
It's time for a change and I hope Barack Obama can make a difference.
2 people like this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
22 Jul 08
This is what just eight years of George W. Bush has done to us. Remember the early Clinton/Gore years and how promising everything looked? They ushered in a new era with the internet and we all felt good. Even though those years lost some luster, we still had a balanced budget and a fiscally sound country. Now it has to start again from scratch just like at the end of the first Bush presidency. Unfortunately the "Shrub" had eight years in which to wreck havoc. Hopefully, the new Democratic presidency will be up to the task because this guy has left the biggest mess since Hoover and the country needed a miracle named FDR to straigten that one out.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Jul 08
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. You and I are on the same page. I can't understand why some people have their heads stuck in the sand and can't see what really happened to our Great and Properous Country.
Now some people want John McCain to take the batton. Why would anyone want more of the same thing that got us to this point?
The next President will have his hands full, but I think Barack Obama is up to the task. He is intelligent, has great plans and has the best interest of the American people in mine.
It will take our support to get us out of the mess we are in.
I'm ready for the task.
Lloyd
2 people like this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
23 Jul 08
I know we have been taking care of other countries for decades. But it's time to reign some of that foreign aide in.
That is one part of Barack Obama's plans that bother me. He speaks a little to much about sending aide to other countries.
When are these countrie going to be able to stand on their own?
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
23 Jul 08
Taking care of other countries before our own country has been going on for years - it isn't just something that happened since Bush. Clinton did his share too. They all do.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Lloyd, for the first time in my life I'm actually afraid for the future of our country. It's not only the economic problems and the fact that there WILL be people starving or freezing this coming winter and for the first time in my memory there probably won't be enough help available to save everyone. Besides that is the general mean and nasty mood of some of the people in this country. The viciousness of the attacks against Obama here one myLot is a prime example. The nastiness I've encountered here when I've gotten involved in discussions about our health care crisis is another one. We're told we MUST be proud of our country or else we're anti-American, as Michelle Obama has been accused of being, but what is America if not the people that live here? Everyone here was not born into privileged households, everyone has NOT had equal opportunities to make something of their life for many different reasons and some people have made a bad choice or two in their life, all of which can lead to some people having a tougher time of it than others right now but that doesn't mean they're bad people or not deserving of a helping hand and if possible a chance to improve their situation. It seems like all I'm seeing and hearing these days from so many is greed and selfishness and the attitude that "I'm not paying higher taxes so someone else has health insurance; I've got mine, the hell with you!" I think a great and prosperous country comes as a result of its people pulling together for each other instead of turning against each other in this class warfare we seem to be waging right now. I think the coming election might help bring about some change but it's the attitude of some Americans I doubt will ever change and that doesn't bode well for our future at all. I sure wish I didn't feel this way!
Annie
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
8 Jul 08
At this time the future doesn't look good for our country. I am also concerned with people not being able to afford heating fuel this coming winter.
People are going to have to make a choice between food, heating fuel and medicine. That is a terrible situation to be in.
I believe that the greed and selfishness that you write about will slowly start to diminish because the problems we are facing will hit some many people who hold those views.
All you can do is prepare for the worse, try and stay positive and hopefully things will begin to get better.
Lloyd
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
21 Jul 08
Thanks so much for the BR, Lloyd. You're right about thinking positive and although some of my posts may seem to be rather negative because there are a lot of negative things going on these days I did want to add that throughout my life I HAVE found there to be more really good people than bad. I think right now it just seems like the bad apples are are more visible, if you know what I mean.
Annie
@naty1941 (2336)
• United States
17 Jul 08
In my town foreclosure have been on the increase; cars are being repossed and groceries keep going up. We have a couple of food banks but I have heard it is difficult to get food. This not a problem of only the USA it is a problem all over the world!
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
17 Jul 08
I never dreamed I'd see the day when so many Americans are loosing their homes, loosing their cars and having to go to food banks.
I know it's a problem all over the world, but I'd never thought I'd see this problem, to this extent, here in America.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
22 Jul 08
What went wrong is that we are so busy supporting other countires and solving the problems of other countries and fixing other countries, and makeing sure other countries have all they need, that there is nothing left to take care of our own country, our own people, our own problems.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Jul 08
I agree with you. We are building schools, bridges and major instrastructure in Iraq while our schools, bridges and major instrastructure is falling apart.
We send billions of dollars of aide to Israel and their citizens enjoy Universal Health Care.
We send millions of dollar to countries like Mexico and Columbia who don't care about the plight of the average everyday American.
Our priorities are all messed up.
Lloyd
2 people like this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
23 Jul 08
You give the govt to much credit - we are not messed up - we are just ignored.
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
7 Jul 08
The "prosperity" that America has exhibited for so many years has become nothing more than the widespread use of credit. The average American family has a 30 year mortgage, a minimum of two auto loans, and a half-dozen credit cards.
As the cost of living rises, partially due to increasing gas prices and rising food prices, these families wish to maintain their lifestyles, and look to other credit sources to make ends meet rather than to cut back on spending.
Those who actually have equity in their homes have taken out loans against that equity or have taken out additional mortgages. Once that avenue has been exhausted, they turn to other lines of credit, including credit cards and short term unsecured loans.
Just last week, the media reported that many credit card companies are now reducing card limits and increasing interest. This measure alone has a negative effect on a person's credit score, making it more difficult to obtain loans.
I do not think the situation will get better any time in the near future. We are hearing of more and more companies, both big and small, that are closing or reducing their workforces leaving even more people without employment. With the monumental amount of debt owned by most families, they are on the verge of living on the streets in less than 90 days.
Not only are food banks seeing an increase in the people needing to use their services, they are also seeing a decrease in the people who contribute to their organizations and a decrease in the amount that is contributed. They will undoubtedly have to implement stricter guidelines for those who are eligible for their services.
@WhatsHerName (2716)
• United States
8 Jul 08
The demand for oil has a lot to do with things. When I was a child, families had one car and everyone shared it. Now, everyone has to have their own car. Not to mention many more of us own boats, lawn mowers, jet skis, snowmobiles, 3 wheelers, etc.
I don't blame the administration, it's not their fault the entire world uses more oil. India is supposed to have a new car that costs 2000. Do to the internet, their people are becoming more wealthy thus buying cars, thus using more oil.
China has become more prosperous, thus more cars, more oil etc.
I believe God is letting us fall to our knees, it's the best way to get his people to revival. Our country is stronger in times of trouble.
Yet, I can't help but feel bad for the next generations, it doesn't seem fair that they will probably have to struggle and try to pick up the pieces.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
8 Jul 08
I agree with you that the demand for oil has reached an all time high.
Not only do many more of us own boats, lawn mowers, jet skis, snowmobiles and 3 wheelers, but many of us own gas guzzling SUVs.
Hopefully our country will not only get stronger because of this trouble, but we'll finally realize it's time to really invest in alternative fuel sources.
I can't imagine how the next generation will be able to handle the mess we are handing them. They will have to deal with the record debt we are accumulating.
I hope them only the best.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
9 Jul 08
IMO our politicians and that includes the president have been running our country into the ground. It will not recover anytime soon as the latest/only choices we have for our next president suck!
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
10 Jul 08
I agree with you. I can't believe how bad things have gone in the last 7 years.
It's almost like it's not the same country anymore.
I think Barack Obama will be a huge improvement over George Bush.
I think John McCain will be just more of the same.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@Zmugzy (773)
•
17 Jul 08
I think America has always been a highly unequal society. There are such gross inequalities of wealth and gross inequalities when it comes to accessing that wealth. But even though the poverty in America is no where near the poverty in other countries, it could get a lot worse.
Wealth will always accumulate in the hands of the greedy few in any highly capitalistic society. Unless there are checks and balances - an effective tax system and welfare system - inequality and its consequences will continue.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
17 Jul 08
It seems as if it is getting worse. Everyday there is nothing but bad news.
I don't what's going to happen this winter when many people will be unable to afford fuel to heat their homes.
The next President of the United States will surely have his hands full.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@Kemboi (341)
• Eldoret, Kenya
8 Jul 08
We are told there is a time for everything and season for every activity under heaven. The just shall live by faith. God is allowing such things to happen pm that we can learn to depen on Him. Man gone astray and is far from the fellowship with God. 2nd Chro 7:14 says "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, them will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." but man has been a repellearse before God, but He is never late.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
8 Jul 08
A few people have mentioned that God has his hands in what's happening.
I mentioned earlier that the situation we find ourselves in may take Devine Intervention.
Only time will tell. I hope for the best.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@ebhjboo (121)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Personally, I believe that it is a combination of things. Costs of everything including gas and food have skyrocketed over the past few months even, putting strains on people. Annual wage increases on average are no where near keeping up with this increased cost of essentials, therefore it appears that you are taking an actual pay cut. Add to that, increases in utilities, health care, and a much slower job market (so if you lost your job it is taking months finding another one), there is no surprise that more people must rely on organizations such as food banks just to squeak by.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
8 Jul 08
The combination of things that you mentioned have put a strain on all of us.
I think you have put it all in perspective.
Hopefully things will change for the better very soon.
Thanks for your reply.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
