What if it turns out as bad as you think it might?

[kentuck]

What if the dollar collapses? What if the economy hits the skids real bad? What if people lose their houses and jobs and are out on the streets with nothing? What happens if we go into a severe recession or even worse, a depression? What do we do then? What should the President and the Congress do? What types of programs would be needed to save our people?

[saltpoint]

1. Merry Christmas, kentuck.

And a happy 2008.

[kentuck]

4. Merry Christmas, Old Crusoe!

And the very best in the New Year!

[strategery blunder]

2. "Saving the people?" Bah, Humbug!

As long as I get my kickbacks from Blackwater and Halliburton, the economy is booming! Let the proles eat cake. :sarcasm:

[ColbertWatcher]

3. We'd see more of Blackwater...

...that's for sure.

And maybe then we'd find out why they've been building all those detention centers.

[Joe Fields]

5. Ask your grandparents. They can tell you what it will be like.

My father went through the Great Depression. Hobos constantly came to his parent's back door looking for a little handout. My grandparents had six mouths to feed, but never turned a hobo away.

[BlueJazz]

6. I guess I'll have a lot of Friends staying with me. I tend to be a private person....

but can't let that get in the way of kindness.

[Liberal In Texas]

7. Worst case scenario? I'm going to die.

Middle case: I'll have to cope.
Best case: I'll have won the lottery.

The dollar is collapsing. The economy is on the skids. People are losing their houses. There are people on the streets with nothing but their insanity.
We are in a rescission.
It is severe. Depression? Not yet. But soon if we don't mend our ways.

We need another FDR. And fast.

[rucky]

8. We'll have to help each other out. n/t

[grasswire]

9. elect Democrats

The Republicans like it when things go to hell for working people and formerly working people and their families.

[evlbstrd]

10. I've learned to brew beer.

Next is beekeeping.

[CK_John]

11. Build, buy or invest in rickshaws and learn to weld. n/t

[MADem]

12. Our priorities will change. Wages will be depressed, certainly.

People will be less interested in fancy shit, and more focused on the basics--food, shelter, clothing. Prices will fall on many goods, too. More people will walk, take buses, and perhaps we'll see a second WPA take shape. Perhaps they can fix the crumbling bridges of America as a project, for starters.

The military will become VERY professional. Standards will be high for entry, because the forces can afford to be picky. If you know anyone in politics, who is inclined to give you a recommendation for a crappy little government job, you'll be better off than some. A "city job" or a gig working for the state or the feds will be a prize. Steady work will be harder for many to get. But if you do have a job like that, at least you'll eat, have a roof, and be halfway warm in winter. The rich will get richer, the poor will get poorer. Families will bond together even if they don't especially like each other. Those who own their own home outright will be the luckiest.

Maybe the super rich, like Oprah and Angelina, will start charities that help the poor here at home. During the Great Depression, many wealthy philanthropists started up music and dance programs for the great unwashed children in the poorer neighborhoods.....

[Selatius]

13. Find a new FDR heir apparent and hope he lives up to his billing as the next FDR.

Either that, or you can do like the French and eat the rich.

[Golden Raisin]

14. Then the Neocons will have achieved

one of their goals towards total domination and dictatorship. An impoverished, scared populace is exactly what they want. Look for lots more Blackwater.