More families finding it hard to keep food on the table.

[Mr, gone]

I've got a brilliantly simple solution to this problem. Stop pissing away tens of Billions in Iraq and AfganiNAM! We need to find other industries to support this economy...

WASHINGTON – More than one in seven American households struggled to put enough food on the table in 2008, the highest rate since the Agriculture Department began tracking food security levels in 1995.

That's about 49 million people, or 14.6 percent of U.S. households. The numbers are a significant increase from 2007, when 11.1 percent of U.S. households suffered from what USDA classifies as "food insecurity" — not having enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle.

Researchers blamed the increase in hunger on a lack of money and other resources.

President Barack Obama called the USDA's findings "unsettling." He noted that other indicators of hunger have gone up, such as the number of food stamp applications and the use of food banks. And he said his administration is committed to reversing the trend.

"The first task is to restore job growth, which will help relieve the economic pressures that make it difficult for parents to put a square meal on the table each day," Obama said in a statement.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the numbers could be higher in 2009 because of the global economic slowdown.

"This report suggests its time for America to get very serious about food security and hunger," Vilsack told reporters during a conference call.

The USDA said Monday that 5.7 percent of those who struggled for food experienced "very low food security," meaning household members reduced their food intake.

The numbers dovetail with dire economic conditions for many Americans. And they may not take the full measure of America's current struggles with hunger: Vilsack and the report's lead author, Mark Nord with USDA's economic research service, both emphasized that the numbers reflected the situation in 2008 and that the economy's continued troubles in 2009 would likely mean higher numbers next year.

The report also showed an increasing number of children in the United States are suffering. In 2008, 16.7 million children were classified as not having enough food, 4.3 million more than in 2007.

Hunger advocates said they were not surprised by the numbers, and said the problem among children, in particular, is lamentable.

"What should really shock us is that almost one in four children in our country lives on the brink of hunger," said David Beckmann, the President of Bread of the World, an advocacy organization.

Vilsack said that it would take a concerted effort to reduce the number of Americans who face a lack of food and said he hoped that the stark reality of Monday's report would inspire action. The numbers could have been much worse without adequately funded food aid programs, such as food stamps, he said.

"There's an opportunity here for the country to make a major commitment to focus on ways we can improve this process and make sure that food is safe and available for everyone," he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091116/ap_on_bi_ge/us_hunger_report

[kres24GT]

I bet most of that one of 7 still had cable TV and cell phones. They better wake up, it is only going to get harder as we start raising taxes.

[Binky]

I also bet that the number is higher than one in seven. In our small community, all one has to do is "look around you," odds are you'll be able to tell the ones doing the most suffering.....

[MintJulep]

I bet most of that one of 7 still had cable TV and cell phones. .Yep, high speed internet too along with many other amenities. Of course, they can't "afford" healthcare either.

Cool shit comes first, dammit!

[Cookie]

I've got a brilliantly simple solution to this problem. Stop pissing away tens of Billions in Iraq and AfganiNAM! We need to find other industries to support this economy...



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091116/ap_on_bi_ge/us_hunger_report


Hi MG. We had nearly full employment when president Bush was in office. To get back to a 4% unemployment rate, all we have to do is give Obama the boot, along with his czars and other admin, putting an end to his stupid, socialist policies and ambitions. That is the only road back to any kind of prosperity.

edit: can Pelosi, Frank, Schummer, Reid and the other imbeciles who don't know shit from shineola.
________
Yamaha P-120 History (http://www.yamaha-tech.com/wiki/Yamaha_P-120)

[Socialist_Revolution]

Hi MG. We had nearly full employment when president Bush was in office. To get back to a 4% unemployment rate, all we have to do is give Obama the boot, along with his czars and other admin, putting an end to his stupid, socialist policies and ambitions. That is the only road back to any kind of prosperity.

edit: can Pelosi, Frank, Schummer, Reid and the other imbeciles who don't know shit from shineola.
But Mr. Gone does have a very valid point in that if we were not spending/wasting billions on these 2 wars then just think about how much more money we would have to fix the problems of this country...HELL healthcare reform could be paid for with no worries or issues...simple as that.:thumbsup:

[Cookie]

But Mr. Gone does have a very valid point in that if we were not spending/wasting billions on these 2 wars then just think about how much more money we would have to fix the problems of this country...HELL healthcare reform could be paid for with no worries or issues...simple as that.:thumbsup:

Yes he does, on the one hand. But do we really want AQ running amuck at will and unfettered in Afghanistan and Pakistan? Do you want to see all of the middle east, eventually, subjected to fanatical islam? I don't.
________
Suzuki Gsx 650 F History (http://www.suzuki-tech.com/wiki/Suzuki_GSX_650_F)

[Socialist_Revolution]

Yes he does, on the one hand. But do we really want AQ running amuck at will and unfettered in Afghanistan and Pakistan? Do you want to see all of the middle east, eventually, subjected to fanatical islam? I don't.
So you are basically saying it is far more important to fix everybody elses problems before fixing ours??? sorry but isnt that the exact thinking that got us into the mess we are in with people all over the world hating us for butting into their business?

[Cookie]

So you are basically saying it is far more important to fix everybody elses problems before fixing ours??? sorry but isnt that the exzct thinking that got us into the mess we are in with people all over the world hating us for butting into their business?


Long gone are the days when we were an island unto ourselves. What happens in ME does effect us, especially when they have sworn to conquer, convert, or kill us. With a fatwah hanging over our nation, how are we to just back out? How long before calamity ensues here once again?

Those fuckers (AQ) should be defeated. Not only for us, but in the interest of the world.
________
Ford tourneo connect history (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/Ford_Tourneo_Connect)

[kres24GT]

But Mr. Gone does have a very valid point in that if we were not spending/wasting billions on these 2 wars then just think about how much more money we would have to fix the problems of this country...HELL healthcare reform could be paid for with no worries or issues...simple as that.:thumbsup:


Imagine if we gave that money back tot he people who earned it and didn't spend it on Big Government.

[Binky]

Long gone are the days when we were an island unto ourselves. What happens in ME does effect us, especially when they have sworn to conquer, convert, or kill us. With a fatwah hanging over our nation, how are we to just back out? How long before calamity ensues here once again?

Those fuckers (AQ) should be defeated. Not only for us, but in the interest of the world.


And do you think we will defeat them? We haven't as yet. And we've been there several years now. How many more years is it going to take? 10? 20? 30? And I'll bet we'll still be hearing the same old rhetoric....blah, blah, blah.....:(

[xav8terx]

Imagine if we gave that money back tot he people who earned it and didn't spend it on Big Government.

Imagine your house burning down while private fire department’s fight over who responds to your call or can't even make it because the roads leading to your house are fucked up. Not to mention they have no water because the city/government has no water running to your area...or any area for that matter...yeah, just imagine Somalia and you will be in heaven...good luck with that.

[xav8terx]

And do you think we will defeat them? We haven't as yet. And we've been there several years now. How many more years is it going to take? 10? 20? 30? And I'll bet we'll still be hearing the same old rhetoric....blah, blah, blah.....:(

No kidding. People have been trying for centuries...well over a thousand years to conquer them...no one has yet.

[MintJulep]

Imagine your house burning down while private fire department’s fight over who responds to your call or can't even make it because the roads leading to your house are fucked up. Not to mention they have no water because the city/government has no water running to your area...or any area for that matter...yeah, just imagine Somalia and you will be in heaven...good luck with that.Paying taxes for local and state fire/police dept is pulling your own weight and paying the bill for your right to liberty. Paying taxes for "handouts" are taxes you are forced to pay to pull someone else's weight. It's involuntary servitude.

[xav8terx]

Paying taxes for local and state fire/police dept is pulling your own weight and paying the bill for your right to liberty. Paying taxes for "handouts" are taxes you are forced to pay to pull someone else's weight. It's involuntary servitude.


We also have to pay for the over spending done in the name of freedom since we have it over here and they, over there, hate us for it. Pick your battles wisely!!

[Binky]

No kidding. People have been trying for centuries...well over a thousand years to conquer them...no one has yet.


Yeah, and I have a sneaky suspicion no one is, either.....

[Moby]

Hi MG. We had nearly full employment when president Bush was in office. To get back to a 4% unemployment rate, all we have to do is give Obama the boot, along with his czars and other admin, putting an end to his stupid, socialist policies and ambitions.
You do realize that under Bush unemployment was never as good as the day he took office. It was always higher and only because we were racking up massive deficits to the average of over $700 Billion a year.

Bush didn't have a single quarter of GDP growth to match the average of the previous President and just like all other Republican Presidents he left the country with massive deficits. Just like all other Republican Presidents outside of Reagan, we saw massive increases in unemployment.

Check the facts.

[MintJulep]

Hi MG. We had nearly full employment when president Bush was in office. To get back to a 4% unemployment rate, all we have to do is give Obama the boot, along with his czars and other admin, putting an end to his stupid, socialist policies and ambitions. That is the only road back to any kind of prosperity.

edit: can Pelosi, Frank, Schummer, Reid and the other imbeciles who don't know shit from shineola.:thumbsup:

Keep telling it like it is.

[Mr, gone]

Yeah, and I have a sneaky suspicion no one is, either.....


You are correct Binky.:thumbsup: This "war on terror" is simply the military industrial complex's fear mongering big buisness - covered in the guise of patriotism.:disbelief:

[kres24GT]

Imagine your house burning down while private fire department’s fight over who responds to your call or can't even make it because the roads leading to your house are fucked up. Not to mention they have no water because the city/government has no water running to your area...or any area for that matter...yeah, just imagine Somalia and you will be in heaven...good luck with that.


What is this? Strike 5 on this, you know you only get 3?

[BlackAsCoal]

The beauty of socialism is that you don't have to sell it to anybody.

Intelligent society evolves to it.

The age of the American Century has ended .. and it didn't last a century.

As resources continue to shrink in the US .. SOCIALISM, that is MORE socialism than we currently enjoy, will be the answer.

[kres24GT]

The beauty of socialism is that you don't have to sell it to anybody.

Intelligent society evolves to it.

The age of the American Century has ended .. and it didn't last a century.

As resources continue to shrink in the US .. SOCIALISM, that is MORE socialism than we currently enjoy, will be the answer.


Socialism is a lie, fascism is what is coming. A police state where government controls everyhting.

[BlackAsCoal]

Socialism is a lie, fascism is what is coming. A police state where government controls everyhting.

Is Social Security a "lie" .. or is it actually keeping millions of Americans alive?

Like millions of Americans you don't appear to know what socialism is. It is most certainmly not fascism.

Easy definition of socialism .. people first.

Not corporations, not profit .. people.

I suggest real study.

[kres24GT]

Is Social Security a "lie" .. or is it actually keeping millions of Americans alive?

Like millions of Americans you don't appear to know what socialism is. It is most certainmly not fascism.

Easy definition of socialism .. people first.

Not corporations, not profit .. people.

I suggest real study.


It's absolutely a lie, Social Security is a Ponzi Scheme that will soon be insolvent and leave millions without money they had stolen from them.

I know what socialism, it is a lie, it is not goign to happen, it is not where we are headed, we are headed toward fascism. We are not moving toward people first, we are moving toward government first. A government owned and operated by Corporate America.

[BlackAsCoal]

It's absolutely a lie, Social Security is a Ponzi Scheme that will soon be insolvent and leave millions without money they had stolen from them.

I know what socialism, it is a lie, it is not goign to happen, it is not where we are headed, we are headed toward fascism. We are not moving toward people first, we are moving toward government first. A government owned and operated by Corporate America.

"A government owned and operated by corporations" is NOT fascism, it's a plutocracy.

You exist in a plutocracy under the guise of a democracy.

Irrespective of what you think, Social Security is keeping millions of Americans alive and has been doing so for decades. Show me the hands of people wanting to get rid of Scocial Security or Medicaid or anything that begins with "public."

You are stuck on the buzzword "fascism" without even knowing its definition.

[xav8terx]

What is this? Strike 5 on this, you know you only get 3?


You've struck out for well over 9 innings on this one. 90% of us have pitched a perfect game on this issue with you...man i fuckin hate baseball!!

[kres24GT]

"A government owned and operated by corporations" is NOT fascism, it's a plutocracy.

You exist in a plutocracy under the guise of a democracy.

Irrespective of what you think, Social Security is keeping millions of Americans alive and has been doing so for decades. Show me the hands of people wanting to get rid of Scocial Security or Medicaid or anything that begins with "public."

You are stuck on the buzzword "fascism" without even knowing its definition.


I know what the words mean just fine, keep saying I don't though so you don't have to face reality.

You understand Social Security is an illegal Ponzi scheme, correct?

You understand that Co prorate America runs this nation, right? The people do not. Any increase in governmetn is an increase in power for the corporations.

[kres24GT]

You've struck out for well over 9 innings on this one. 90% of us have pitched a perfect game on this issue with you...man i fuckin hate baseball!!

It's a point that has been shot down a million times. Local fire departments have nothing to do with an unconstitutional bloated federal government.

Because we have roads and police doesn't mean we should exist in a police state, that is just asinine.

[xav8terx]

It's a point that has been shot down a million times. Local fire departments have nothing to do with an unconstitutional bloated federal government.

Because we have roads and police doesn't mean we should exist in a police state, that is just asinine.


Taxes and helping out citizens is hardly a police state.

[BlackAsCoal]

I know what the words mean just fine, keep saying I don't though so you don't have to face reality.

You understand Social Security is an illegal Ponzi scheme, correct?

You understand that Co prorate America runs this nation, right? The people do not. Any increase in governmetn is an increase in power for the corporations.

The problem here isn't my understanding brother .. it's yours.

A government run by corporations is a PLUTOCRACY, not fascism.

The corruption of democracy, sources of political corruption, class conflict, corporations and politics, the mass media and politics

A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

Which definition best applies to the reality of America today?

The first is a plutocracy, the second is fascism. Where is the dictator?

Your argument is completely false .. but "fascism" sounds good to the right. They throw it at everything they don't like.

Additionally, it does not go without notice that you speak ideology, but run from the truth that Social Security is and has kept millions of Americans alive for decades .. and that NO ONE with a brain is advocating to get rid of it.

[kres24GT]

The problem here isn't my understanding brother .. it's yours.

A government run by corporations is a PLUTOCRACY, not fascism.

The corruption of democracy, sources of political corruption, class conflict, corporations and politics, the mass media and politics

A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

Which definition best applies to the reality of America today?

The first is a plutocracy, the second is fascism. Where is the dictator?

Your argument is completely false .. but "fascism" sounds good to the right. They throw it at everything they don't like.

Additionally, it does not go without notice that you speak ideology, but run from the truth that Social Security is and has kept millions of Americans alive for decades .. and that NO ONE with a brain is advocating to get rid of it.


A governmetn where government runs our lives is a fascist one, get over yourself. These words have broader definitions than whatever you want them to mean. Stop playing semantics and concentrate on what specifically is being said. We are head toward a fascist police state where 100% of our lives is dictated by the government, a governmetn sold out to corporate America.


Social Security has been a massive failure, anyone with half a brain wants to get rid of it. This is a program that is illegal and unconstitutional. It's also about to leave millions without money they planned on having for their retirement years.

[BlackAsCoal]

A governmetn where government runs our lives is a fascist one, get over yourself. These words have broader definitions than whatever you want them to mean. Stop playing semantics and concentrate on what specifically is being said. We are head toward a fascist police state where 100% of our lives is dictated by the government, a governmetn sold out to corporate America.


Social Security has been a massive failure, anyone with half a brain wants to get rid of it. This is a program that is illegal and unconstitutional. It's also about to leave millions without money they planned on having for their retirement years.

Not easy talking truth to people who can't absorb it.

Social Security has been one of the most successful programs ever run in this country .. and I repeat .. IT'S THE ONLY THING KEEPING MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ALIVE.

You can play around with ideological notions all you want .. but the truth is obvious .. and illustrated by your running from it.

The foolish notion of privatizing Social Security has been shot down long ago. Obvioulsy you didn't get that memo.

How does one have a conversation without attention to semantics and the meaning of words?

Let's all make-up terms that sound good but have no practical meaning or application to reality.

I pass on that conversation.

[kres24GT]

Not easy talking truth to people who can't absorb it.

Social Security has been one of the most successful programs ever run in this country .. and I repeat .. IT'S THE ONLY THING KEEPING MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ALIVE.

You can play around with ideological notions all you want .. but the truth is obvious .. and illustrated by your running from it.

The foolish notion of privatizing Social Security has been shot down long ago. Obvioulsy you didn't get that memo.

How does one have a conversation without attention to semantics and the meaning of words?

Let's all make-up terms that sound good but have no practical meaning or application to reality.

I pass on that conversation.

I am not goign to play your semantically games anymore. Look up words int he dictionary if you have a problem.

"Only social security is keeping them alive." More nonsense about how things can only be achieved though government. Without social security,y ou and whoever else wants to would be free to give as much of your money as you want to help elderly people with their bills. The idea you can only do it through an illegal government program is nothing short of laughable.

Social security is a massive failure. Millions paid into it and will get nothing in return. That is a failure by anyone's standard.

[BlackAsCoal]

I am not goign to play your semantically games anymore. Look up words int he dictionary if you have a problem.

"Only social security is keeping them alive." More nonsense about how things can only be achieved though government. Without social security,y ou and whoever else wants to would be free to give as much of your money as you want to help elderly people with their bills. The idea you can only do it through an illegal government program is nothing short of laughable.

Social security is a massive failure. Millions paid into it and will get nothing in return. That is a failure by anyone's standard.

They get to stay alive.

Who cares about your "standard."

By any measure, Social Security is the most successful social program ever enacted in the United States. Without it, the poverty rate for the elderly would jump from 11% to 51% .. which speaks to the topic of this thread. Without Social Security, dog food would be on the top of senior diet in the US.

AND .. unbeknowst to you, Social Security IS NOT GOING BANKRUPT.

Need I post those facts as well? I ask because if facts have no meaning to you I won't waste my time.

[kres24GT]

They get to stay alive.

Who cares about your "standard."

By any measure, Social Security is the most successful social program ever enacted in the United States. Without it, the poverty rate for the elderly would jump from 11% to 51% .. which speaks to the topic of this thread. Without Social Security, dog food would be on the top of senior diet in the US.

AND .. unbeknowst to you, Social Security IS NOT GOING BANKRUPT.

Need I post those facts as well? I ask because if facts have no meaning to you I won't waste my time.


An illegal ponzi scheme that is soon to be insolvent is the most successful program ever enacted int he US. Thanks for just proving my point.

[BlackAsCoal]

An illegal ponzi scheme that is soon to be insolvent is the most successful program ever enacted int he US. Thanks for just proving my point.

No problem. I rather enjoyed proving that you don't have a clue about what you're talking about. :0)

It seems that you don't know the meaning of insolvent either.

Half truth/exaggeration:
The system is going bankrupt.
The system is not going bankrupt.

If you define "bankrupt" as not being able to pay your obligations in full, then you might argue Social Security will be bankrupt come 2042, using projections from the Social Security trustees, or 2052, using estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.

That's when they project the system will have exhausted its surplus, which it will begin tapping in 2018 when there is less revenue than needed to cover promised benefits. (Click here to read about the half-truths regarding that surplus.)

By that logic, though, you also might argue that the U.S. government - with its roughly half-trillion-dollar deficit - is or will be bankrupt.

Some people have the impression that "bankrupt" means penniless. A full 50 percent of non-retired respondents in a recent USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll said they didn't think Social Security would be able to pay them a benefit when they retire.

Not true, according to government estimates.

The system still will be taking in enough revenue to cover 75 percent to 80 percent of what is currently promised.

What's more, even if benefits were reduced to that level, they still would be higher in today's dollars than what current retirees are getting, according to CBO estimates.

-- more at link
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/popups/socsec_straight/content.1.html

You simply don't know what the hell you're talking about.

[kres24GT]

No problem. I rather enjoyed proving that you don't have a clue about what you're talking about. :0)

It seems that you don't know the meaning of insolvent either.

Half truth/exaggeration:
The system is going bankrupt.
The system is not going bankrupt.

If you define "bankrupt" as not being able to pay your obligations in full, then you might argue Social Security will be bankrupt come 2042, using projections from the Social Security trustees, or 2052, using estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.

That's when they project the system will have exhausted its surplus, which it will begin tapping in 2018 when there is less revenue than needed to cover promised benefits. (Click here to read about the half-truths regarding that surplus.)

By that logic, though, you also might argue that the U.S. government - with its roughly half-trillion-dollar deficit - is or will be bankrupt.

Some people have the impression that "bankrupt" means penniless. A full 50 percent of non-retired respondents in a recent USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll said they didn't think Social Security would be able to pay them a benefit when they retire.

Not true, according to government estimates.

The system still will be taking in enough revenue to cover 75 percent to 80 percent of what is currently promised.

What's more, even if benefits were reduced to that level, they still would be higher in today's dollars than what current retirees are getting, according to CBO estimates.

-- more at link
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/popups/socsec_straight/content.1.html

You simply don't know what the hell you're talking about.


Yes, the federal governmetn will soon be bankrupt as well, just like Social Security. Americans want Big Government, but won't pay for it. The Chinese are not going to keep letting us borrow money, eventually these programs will have to go away once we can no longer borrow money to pay for them. The money paid into SS is paid out immediately and whatever is left over is spent on vote buying programs. Supporting SS is a joke, it is the government stealing our money for retirement, supporting is nothing more than intellectual laziness.

[BlackAsCoal]

Yes, the federal governmetn will soon be bankrupt as well, just like Social Security. Americans want Big Government, but won't pay for it. The Chinese are not going to keep letting us borrow money, eventually these programs will have to go away once we can no longer borrow money to pay for them. The money paid into SS is paid out immediately and whatever is left over is spent on vote buying programs. Supporting SS is a joke, it is the government stealing our money for retirement, supporting is nothing more than intellectual laziness.

It's keeping millions of Americans alive and dog food off the menu.

What you think about it makes no difference whatsoever.

It's just that simple.

[kres24GT]

It's keeping millions of Americans alive and dog food off the menu.

What you think about it makes no difference whatsoever.

It's just that simple.


Actually that is not the purpose of Social security. Social Security has always been just a way to backdoor tax people. That is why the money is pent immediately, not saved or invested to repay those who paid into it.

[BlackAsCoal]

Actually that is not the purpose of Social security. Social Security has always been just a way to backdoor tax people. That is why the money is pent immediately, not saved or invested to repay those who paid into it.

It keeps millions of Americans alive.

Difficult getting around that truth, eh?

"Illegal ponzi scheme" .. Social Security has been in existence for over 70 years .. yet neither you nor any of your ilk has been able to prove that or get rid of it.

Why?

Because it's a monumetally stupid argument and the American people support SS.

Clearly, what you think about this issue doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

[kres24GT]

It keeps millions of Americans alive.

Difficult getting around that truth, eh?

"Illegal ponzi scheme" .. Social Security has been in existence for over 70 years .. yet neither you nor any of your ilk has been able to prove that or get rid of it.

Why?

Because it's a monumetally stupid argument and the American people support SS.

Clearly, what you think about this issue doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

I take it you don't know what a ponzi scheme is.

Americans supported slavery and segregation for year, doesn't make them right.

LMAO @ it keeps millions alive

[BlackAsCoal]

I take it you don't know what a ponzi scheme is.

Americans supported slavery and segregation for year, doesn't make them right.

LMAO @ it keeps millions alive

The operative phrase here is .. it doesn't matter what you think. Not a rat's ass does it matter.

Feel free to spout nonsense about "government" all you want .. it doesn't matter. Social Security ain't (eb) going anywhere at anytime.

end of story