Bah, Humbug!

Whether McCain won or lost is not relevant. He succeeded in the first half hour to plant the seeds of a Reagan style wipeout. Reputable historians and economists overwhelmingly agree that the taxation imposed by and the "stimulus" spending and public works programs of FDR actually deepened and prolonged the Great Depression. It was the production demands of WWII that got the economy going again. And when the war was over, the economy promptly went into recession.

Point is, Obama's programs are tax and spend, and it does not really matter who he taxes, those taxes are going to be passed through the economy. Any first year economics student knows that taxation is a tool used to contract an economy experiencing inflation, because it reduces demand by reducing the amount of money individuals and businesses have to spend. It is contractionary, which is exactly what you do not want to do when the problem is that the economy is contracting already into recession. Like FDR, Obama's plans will only make it worse for longer.

Obama's tax and spending plans alone would be bad enough, but add Reid and Pelosi to the mix, with the three of them controlling both houses of Congress and the executive without and effective restraint, and you have something that should be something that causes concern even among moderate Democrats. Don't think so? Watch and listen to a C-SPAN video clip of the Congressional hearings at roughly the time McCain's attempt at S.190. to fix fannie and freddie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs

When I was growing up, we never spent a lot on Christmas. Some years, we didn't give presents to each other at all. My siblings and I never really cared either, my sister and I were tomboyish and would rather have spent our childhoods outdoor than inside playing with fancy dolls or the like anyway. Perhaps what society needs is to take a hard look at Christmas and think about what it really means. It doesn't mean buying your kids hundreds of dollars worth of material things, it's about being together as a family. If you can't afford Christmas gifts, find some other way to express your love.

As for those of you who really do need your credit cards to survive, my sympathy goes out to you. I can't imagine what it's like to be disabled, or living paycheck to paycheck, because it hasn't happened to us yet. My husband just lost his job but we are simple people, we don't have any kids, and we have enough in our savings for awhile until he can hopefully find something else to do. So for now we're good, but the gift-giving is going to definitely be diminished this year, and that's fine. Most of my friends and I agree to not give each other gifts and my family already doesn't really expect anything!

The tightening of credit on good customers is what has hit me the last few months. All my payments on all cards and my mortgage were on time. Yet, on one account, I was late in making a payment because i was in the hospital. As soon as I found out, I caught that account up, but that late payment did its damage. All my other cards picked up on my diminished credit rating, and lowered credit limits, further hurting my rating for percentage of available debt in use. Thus, for one corrected misstep, I am now a customer worth getting rid of. This "panic" and herd mentality is what will cripple this holiday season. I am totally not going to use any credit cards. And I will not be buying any Christmas presents.

if no store sold a single item, my family and I would still have a wonderful Christmas. Retailers just don't get it. I'm glad we can get more focussed on the "Reason for the season." Anyone worrying about this from a gift giving perspective should examine their priorities. Nothing can "spoil" my Christmas.

Maybe we can get Christmas BACK!!!!!!!! Instead of this yearly BUY-A-THON.

PAY CASH

Good! Christmas shouldn't be bought with credit anyway. Use CASH!

Good! Christmas shouldn't be bought with credit anyway. Use CASH!

Good! Christmas shouldn't be bought with credit anyway. Use CASH!

Americans were encouraged and enticed and seduced into the credit card world of easy living and endless pleasure. The credit card companies gave cards to college kids, to the working poor, to the unemployed , to the proven deadbeats, to illegal immigrants, and to anyone with a pulse. They will be bailed out by the US Government and will never have to answer for their reckless behavior. The borrowers will end up in bankruptcy court and will be held accountable and forced to pay something for the rest of their lives. Fairness and justice will be done as the creators of the problem become the victims of the problem. Long live the lenders; kill off the past due borrowers. The rebirth will be different until it is not.

Comment #1....hahah. Speak for yourself, please. I don't have "subscriptions, a cell phone, I cut my own hair, I brown bag it, gym???? You can afford that?? Like I said, please speak for yourself.

without credit this will cease to exist. duh,see what happened now.make every effort to budget/ manage and pay your bills.somehow there is never enough money to make ends meet. credit may save you from a temporary spill.don't depend on it for this crisis."when the going gets tough-the tough gets going. fight back, don't buy these holidays-buy very little. watch the table turn, for good of ''WE THE PEOPLE''.

I guess I am out of touch. A few sound like you're using the "economy" as a reason to be cheap and cheat your kids out of presents. I hope people can cut back in other ways and afford Christmas. Cut the cable, cell, subscriptions, gym, expensive lunches, hair etc. but give the kiddies something. If you really want to get technical, Christmas is for Christians to celebrate the birth of Christ. Credit cards are fine, if you use them to your advantage and responsibly. Charge what can be immediately paid off, at zero percent interest and no fees. Loans are necessary for college and homes, for the majority of the American population. ARM loans, why on Earth would people do that to themselves? Oh well, God Bless America. I always wondered how those familiy's on Oprah could afford those humongous houses? Who knew? They couldn't/can't.

credit is a good thing,if you manage it correctly. sometimes its really needed due a unfortunate,sudden mishap or such.that can put one in legal,medical bind.that can save troublesome threats or lawsuits. sure savings is a good thing.but there is never enough for said.try renting a vehicle without one.-you won't get it. credit is a display of character. it shows your responsible,honest.budget/manage and pay yor bills!!!!1

What the heck does buying our kids what they want have to do with this credit crunch??? This is about poeple who are forced to use thier credit cards for groceries, gasoline, toothpaste, the electric bill, etc. Don't think for a minute that kids are being handed things they don't need in this economy!!! Geez, get a grip on reality!!

Leave the plastic home. give yourself a christmas present.=pay off your credit card bill, carry cash and use checks or checkcard. go to discount stores=buy cheap stuff that looks expensive, enjoy life without debt