The human face of economic uncertainty

[babylonsister]

By Jim Kavanagh
CNN


(CNN) -- The crisis in the financial industry is all about huge banking, insurance and investment firms, but the general economic slowdown is hitting regular people right where they live.


Deborah Walker and son David are struggling amid the economic slowdown.


Deborah Walker of Vista, California, 47, a widow whose sole source of income is Social Security disability payments, said she couldn't afford clothes for her son, David, 13, even before the crisis hit.

"For a while there he was actually wearing my clothes to school," she said. "And now he's pretty much outgrowing my jeans even, so he's actually wearing clothes that are too small for him and pretty worn out."

David is mainly home-schooled but takes some classes at a nearby school, where the other kids make fun of his attire, she said.

"It's hard enough to go through those years as it is," without having to endure that kind of teasing, she said.

Even thrift-store jeans at $5 to $7 are beyond her means most of the time, Walker said. And the future doesn't look much better.

"You just have to keep thinking, 'OK, what is the one thing we have left that we can live without the most?'" she said.

Walker said that she often skips meals so there is enough food for her rapidly growing boy, and her weight has dropped from about 120 to 94 pounds in the past nine months.

She learned Saturday that a $350 annual assistance check from the state would not be forthcoming.

"I usually use this to purchase school clothes and tuck the rest away for Christmas, but now, David won't get either one," she said.

"I don't understand why, every time there is a crisis, it's the poor, disabled, children and seniors who end up having to pay for it."

more...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/09/27/bailout.real.people/?iref=mpstoryview

[lostnotforgotten]

1. And Yet Many Democrats Support Giving The Plutocrats And Fat Cats A Bailout

eom

[ColbertWatcher]

3. And the party in power, the GOP, want to stay in Iraq for 100+ years. n/t

[Solly Mack]

2. K&R

some people stand on the backs of the poor all the while claiming that they're taking the high ground

[Kaleko]

8. Great line. I'll have to use that, thnx!

[Solly Mack]

9. It's yours

[polly7]

4. Heartbreaking!

I want to help this woman and her son a little bit if I can. Does anyone know of a way to send something to them?

[babylonsister]

5. Welcome to DU, polly7, and I had the same thought.

I doubt CNN would release their address, but there has got to be a way. I'd love to send this young man a pair of jeans, or a Christmas present. :(

[polly7]

7. Thanks for the welcome babylonsister,

I wonder if we emailed CNN and asked them to pass along a message to her?

[babylonsister]

10. Looks like we can contact Ms. Walker directly-that google is a crazy

good tool!

http://www.care2.com/c2c/people/profile.html?view=contact&pid=228146292

[polly7]

12. That's great!

Thank you!

[polly7]

15. Success with your care2 link, babylonsister

she's online as we speak. Seems like a really nice lady.

[babylonsister]

16. Wow! That's great! Do you have to register there? nt

[polly7]

20. Yes you do,

and then have to send an introduction message.

[polly7]

11. Well I emailed CNN ....

I just asked if they could think of any way at all to get something to them, hopefully they'll reply..

[Dover]

6. That face hasn't changed...>

http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/depression/photoessay.htm



FSA Photographers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farm_Security_Administration




Galveston, TX. 2008
Hurricane Ike

[babylonsister]

13. That first picture is a classic; I remember a book my folks

had when I was young with that picture in it. I think it was a compilation of depression-era photographs.

[girl gone mad]

14. I'm trying to understand why, if this bill is about "saving main street",

are they are so eager to get something passed before Asian Markets open.

[Not the Only One]

17. Deborah Walker, you didn't write a fat donation check to Barney Frank or Chris Dodd.

You don't count.

I am very ashamed that our leaders in Congress are slaves to their corporate masters. Send $700B to people like Deborah Walker so they can have food and access to health care.

[phusion]

18. In this country...

this should not happen. :(

[ShortnFiery]

19. Dammit! Don't do this!!! Vote out ever *democrat* in their next PRIMARY who votes for this

... Not this election-don't vote for the GOP, but for EVERY DEMOCRAT who votes for this toxic bill only wrote to help "the wealthy" should be "voted out" (pro-democratic challenger) in their very next Primary. :grr:

[lostnotforgotten]

23. Be Careful As The DU Bailout Police Are On The Job

Anyone not in agreement with the bailout is treated as not going along with the plan.

That said, I am with you. Vote the Republicans and Democrats out of office that support this plan.

That includes our beloved Barney Frank!

[juno jones]

21. $7 for used jeans! I hate 'thrift' stores like that.

There are the ones who are good (like many around my neck of the woods, Blue Skies for Children is a biggie around here) that keep prices low and have 'give aways' every month or so so poor children can recieve clothing. Then there are the ones who are out to make money, ostensibly for their cause but more likely for their executive staff.

I stopped going to Salvation Army because when I lived in the mountains, there were tons of donation boxes and the closest SA thrift store was 70 miles away. All donations and money were going far away from the community.

Thrift stores are supposed to be a service for the poor and if they aren't, they should be boycotted. After all they get the stuff for free, donated by people who are hoping the item or the money goes to those in need.

Just my opinion.

[lligrd]

22. Makes Me Want To Cry nt