On the economy and this site

[nadinbrzezinski]

Ok Skinner, yesterday I spent more time than I should reading over that epic thread... you know which one it was. Now there were some folks complaining about the bans, the other side... you know the usual crap. BUT... the economy sucks was the true undercurrent in that thread.

I was intending to sit this quarter out. Why? Well we are worried about hubby's job. Instead I ended up doing what I usually do, give for myself and then spread all other donations to buy a few stars. Still, what I read on that thread, and on others, is the economic pain that we are undergoing.

No, buying a star is not going to take food off my pantry AT THIS TIME... or for that matter, does not mean that I cannot go STILL to the movies... (Annie McPhee Returns was hysterical this afternoon, and a tear jerker... and that bird kept reminding us of one of the two conures we share our life with)... but I was going to sit this out.

Not because DU is in fighting mood. IT IS silly season... they keep coming out earlier and earlier every season. Not because we have people who cannot see how (insert here) is blind to their point of view. IT is simply THE ECONOMY STUPID. Hell, we are pinching, still, pennies to a point. And I am sure there is the same thing happening in other places. But some of the stories we all read over the course of the last 24 hours should wake people up... (and yes they are individual stories, not national statistics) of the pain, REAL PAIN out there.

For those who got stars from DU'ers who also reached deep, or as deep as we could... enjoy... but to the site owners, before you think about major surgery realize some of the ahem fighting is because of the real and ugly reality in the real world.

Nadin

[inenemyterritory]

1. Thanks

You are a very generous person and have a very huge heart.

Again Thanks.

When things improve for me, I hope to be able to help as you have done.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. It is not about me

but that thread that skinnner started... and a few others... it is the economy, we all get it.

:hug:

And I usually don't comment on this...

[inenemyterritory]

4. I understand that

but doing all you can for others is appreciated.

Some how we need to get more people working. Do not have a foolproof answer as to how, wish I had more to add on how.

[Warpy]

3. You're right, of course, "it's the economy, stupid," always has been

and likely will be. Yes, the site has evolved from the early days when we were united in our hatred of every rotten thing the Republicans were doing to us, but such evolution is both necessary and healthy, even if we don't much like it from time to time.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Silly season just gets sillier every season

it is like Christmas season to be honest...

:hi:

[lunatica]

6. Poverty and despair threads are growing alarmingly on DU

Today I've read a few either about personal worries or of people who know people in economic trouble.

My star was given to me by a generous DUer. I'm thankful and it makes me feel it's a community of sometimes cranky people. And I agree that tempers are short when you have to worry constantly about important life altering problems.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Indeed, I was not going to say it

but I decided to go there. Yes we have factions. yes it is silly season, but chiefly we have desperation in the air.

I started giving stars away a few campaigns ago... never saying a thing.

But this time, after reading that... thread... I went, needs to be said.

oh and :hug: I think plenty of Du'ers did exactly what I did... and two three stars at a time...

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

8. I appreciate DU and am glad to have an online community where I can

hang out. Thank you for bringing up the point again about the economy. I've been out of work since January. Eighty plus applications later (and 5 interviews), I still have no idea when I'll be going back to work (thank G-d for unemployment, and now, Tier I of emergency unemployment compensation).

I may not be able to donate to DU, but you can count on me voting for Democratic candidates.

[Mimosa]

9. YES! Nad is right. Don't change anything based on perception that contributions are down.

Skinner, et al, the 'energy level' and the original intelligent postings on D.U. are UP over the last year. Check the stats and i'm sure you'll see what I mean.
or 3
If contributions are down it's because people are not making as much money as we did 2 or 3 years ago. It's that simple:

"It's the economy, Stupid".

Who was Carville addressing, anyway?