Talkback: Consumer confidence

The recession is far from over. There are companies out there taking advantage of the high unemployment rate and are offering jobs for a lot less than years back. My retirement account is pittiful. I feel like I will be working until I’m 90 yrs old or dead before that age. I don’t feel like I’ll get to see the money I’ve invested into Social Security. I’m counting pennies, cutting out discount coupons just to make my money stretch…Healthcare…that’s another issue. I pay more, from my paychecks and out-of-pocket, with my current insurance than years ago. When will it end…I don’t know, but something needs to happen soon.

I’ll believe the recession is over when we stop getting 5,000 unemployed turning out to interview for 250 entry level jobs. It will be over when when credit card companies like AMEX & Bank of America stop reducing credit limits on 20+ year customers whenever the customer pays down the outstanding balance on their credit cards. It will be over when the credit rating agencies stop reacting to the antics of the credit card companies (see comment #2)and dropping credit scores on consumers who want to purchase cars but won’t pay ridiculous interest rates.

No, I do not think the recession is over. The dow went above 10,000 and the next day it was reported that social security was not going to give a raise for cost of living next year. Now there is a huge discrepancy here. Who is making the money???? Who has the money to make? Not the main stream population. It seems that we are going down the same road. Today CNN reports foreclosures are up. Healthcare is still an issue. I do commend American Express for their forthrightness in their dealings with the public with their credit card practices.