blaman,

would you believe that the economy is not great, actually we are already in the recession that is predicted to start later this year. i wouldn't bet against 80 million on food stamps.

The stigma of food stamps, those obvious indicators of claiming to be poor, is gone. The EBT card looks just like any other credit or debit card. The days of seeing the food stamp person getting into her late-model Mercedes are gone.

I'm not well-off, financially. Every now and then I wonder what would be involved in applying for food stamps. (I have a suspicion that my owning a small and unproductive farm would help me qualify.) Then I return to my senses. Apparently others have more gall than I.

The economy is hollow. Good indicators are mere window dressing or temporary fixes. Long term it is unsustainable. TANSTAAFL. No system, man-made or otherwise, can violate the laws of physics.

Yes... that's what I meant. :)

Also larger numbers are underemployed or have left the workforce entirely.

The recession ended June, 2009. This is the new norm. I don't know why people struggle so much with that reality. Perhaps it's because they expect something to change across the country while our elected and appointed leaders keep doing the same thing(?)...

I've been yelling that for a while now... and the number of employed people is crazy low too.... A does not equal A here. BUT the pigs and sheep gobble up these stats and believe them like tomorrow's not coming.