“economic stimulus package” (New York, Buffalo: minimum wage, living in, prices)

[FedupWNY]

Mods, since I'm in the Buffalo area, I hope this thread isn't moved from the Buffalo (or NY) forums.



Take this quote from a channel 4 news story:

The goal is for people to spend those checks on goods and jump start a struggling economy.

President George W. Bush recognized many will use the money on necessities.

President Bush said, “This money will help offset high prices at the pump and grocery store.”

and consider this…. New York Average Gas & Fuel Prices

Diesel $4.32
Super Unleaded $3.74
Unleaded Plus $3.55
Unleaded $3.39

and this…

Lowest State Avg: $3.04 - New Jersey
Highest State Avg: $3.66 - California
National Average: $3.29

“economic stimulus package”???? Check this:

Vendors and the poor alike getting squeezed by food costs
Price hikes are worst to hit U.S. in 17 years


Keep in mind: Persons below poverty, (US census 1999)

Rochester: 25.9%

Buffalo: 26.6%

Syracuse: 27.3%

Yet this chart tells another tale and a different scale:
http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/images/eb0809/briefingBook/Welfare/we_public_assistance_caselo.jpg (broken link)

Now take a look at this next news story …. Thruway authority voting toll increase 10% for next couple years

and this…

Coal price hikes boost electric rates, more increases coming (broken link)

So the President thinks we should be rewarded because we’re forced to spend more no matter what…. then he’s hoping we’ll put our “economic stimulus” check towards shopping at the mall? If we don’t pay the bills (no matter what increase is added) we’ll have to go without. I hope these government rewards come every month because despite this one-time lump sum…. OUR COST OF LIVING ISN’T GOING DOWN!!!!!!!

It’s a rock and a hard place that we’re stuck between. Americans have to drive to work to earn a wage, then we’re (all) forced to tighten our belts when the cost of living gets to be too much because minimum wage was increased…. and like clock-work, (albeit) the cost of living increases as it always does, but I don’t recall such a sudden impact like this one. http://fedup.wnymedia.net/blogs/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif (broken link) What's going to happen when people can't make it and they turn to public assistance .... only to be turned away?

As if the President of the United States didn’t realize “a struggling economy” is the result of the working class poor of Americans struggling to survive day to day life.

[NativeNYCer]

More proof that the "pull yourself up by your own boot straps" theory that so many people espouse is shot to hell.

Although i'm sure, someone will still, after the small amount of proof in your post, along w/the copious amount of articles about the economy, find a way to blame the poor/working poor for their problems. Amazing.

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by NativeNYCer

More proof that the "pull yourself up by your own boot straps" theory that so many people espouse is shot to hell.

Although i'm sure, someone will still, after the small amount of proof in your post, along w/the copious amount of articles about the economy, find a way to blame the poor/working poor for their problems. Amazing.

What do you propose the solution is? What should government's role be in regards to helping the 'working poor'?

[FedupWNY]

Originally Posted by NativeNYCer

More proof that the "pull yourself up by your own boot straps" theory that so many people espouse is shot to hell.

Although i'm sure, someone will still, after the small amount of proof in your post, along w/the copious amount of articles about the economy, find a way to blame the poor/working poor for their problems. Amazing.

What are you getting at?