Eagle, Truth1 is right.

Trying to pay for health care or a health emergency pushes a lot of families over the edge.

looks like you have it all figured out truth1. Good for you

janesvillean- Real nice, this "bankruptcy" thing, so people can burglarize and steal their way through life using credit and credit cards and then when the party is over just decide to welch on everything and still have a house and car, tv, etc.
WHY WORK AT ALL???
What a great country!!!

Woody I never said an insurance company has anyones best interest but their own, I loathe the insurance industry its a joke, but for people to think full involvement by the government as a solution shows how ignorant people can be. There are at least a half dozen things that could be done to lower the cost of healthcare, none showed up in obamacare and none have been proposed by the Republicans. It's not rocket science but I realize reality slips the partisan masses.

There does seem to be a widespread misconception that bankruptcy means you're Mr. Moneybags -- the Monopoly guy -- with his pockets pulled out. In other words, completely destitute, virtually homeless, living off the kindness of strangers. What it usually means is getting out of your debt situation with your dignity intact.
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In fact, most bankruptcies protect the primary residence and motor vehicle for a family. There are also ways to exempt certain other prized assets, which vary by state, and may depend on the equity in your home. Chapter 13 bankruptcy even allows you to pay off your debts over five years, which may allow you to keep basically everything tangible as long as it isn't a luxury item. Without knowing the numbers at stake, you can't really judge. All you know is that they probably gave up a lot to end up where they are now.

What judgment, Mr. Peck! Thought so much more of you until now. "She told her tale of woe that included filing bankruptcy, but she seemed to be living in a nice home (wasn’t that a fireplace over her shoulder?) and had two vehicles in the driveway, including what looked like a collector’s car." So, people holding on to the only things they have left to hold on to is irresponsible? How many local GMers are unemployed, needing free food, yet still drive newer Tahoes? Maybe to keep hope alive or their self esteem healthy as reminders that they indeed made great products here, as individuals are worth something, and goals are worth preserving. What if the woman's fireplace is her family's only source of heat? What if her collector's car was passed down to her from generations of love, making it agonizing to sell? Now many of you will come back and say, let's see: car or food for my children? Again, making assumptions that she had that easy of a choice. We don't know that. We don't know many people's stories we judge. Yet can any of us be sure we won't ever need donations from the very same places we've donated to??

There’s a story about a guy named Robert De Vincenzo, a famous golfer from Argentina. Once when he won a tournament, he received his check and posed for pictures, and did all the things the victor does after a golf tournament. Then as he was walking alone to his car in the parking lot, he was approached by a young woman. The woman congratulated him on his win and proceeded to tell him about her child, who was seriously ill and near death. She didn’t know how she was going to pay the doctor’s bills and hospital expenses.

De Vincenzo was deeply moved by her story, so he took out a pen and endorsed his winning check for payment to the woman. He handed her the check and told her to make some good days for the baby.

The next week as De Vincenzo was out having lunch a Professional Golf Association official stopped by his table. “Some of the boys in the parking lot last week told me you met a young woman there after you won that tournament.” De Vincenzo nodded.

The official felt he should know the truth and reported, “I have news for you. She’s a phony. She has no sick baby. She’s not even married. She fleeced you, my friend.”

“You mean there is no baby who is dying?” asked De Vincenzo.

“That’s right,” said the official.

De Vincenzo replied, “That’s the best news I’ve heard all week.”

An excellent story from real life people. http://www.marketplace.org/topics/wealth... The last line says when polled those with incomes below $50,000 per year the happiness level went down the tubes.

Note 3: For those of you that think all farmers are rich and that the government is helping them out during this drought .... think again. Declaration of an area being a federal disaster allows for obtaining low interest government backed LOANS for a few years which then have to be changed to regular loans .... NOT GRANTS. I was on the farms of the 2 brothers that still farm this past Friday in southwest Wisconsin .... in big problem. The family farm is slated to become a "century farm" (100 years in the same family) in 2016. May not make it. Neither brother is likely to have the funds for "inputs" for next season (seed, fertilizer, etc.) One still milks but with the hot weather and dry pastures, production is way down but the price paid by the dairy per hundred weight is not rising accordingly. So what do they do? Sell their farms (their livelihood and their love) and buy a home elsewhee and get a job (Where?). Complain all you want about the big corporate farmers but please stop the false rhetoric on the small family farms ..... Hopefully I can give them a hand this spring if able and needed for "inputs" because the goverment and taxpayers sure will not be.

Note 2: Several years ago a brother a year younger than I was still trying to compete in terms of salary and benefits. I told him I had stopped competing years ago. That if you know someone that is doing better than you, be happy for them. If you have some one that is doing much worse and not through their laziness, help them out if able. HOWEVER, I want to choose the organizations that get my assistance, not the government. I give to Food for the Poor, Paralyzed Veterans, MDA (lost 2 nephews to it) and my church. Where my charitable donations go should be my choice, not the government's

Wonders: and Truth 1: Agree with both of your statements. I was raised in a large poor small dairy farm family. In the 60's both of my folks got jobs off the farm while they and us children did the farming to keep from losing the farm. My mother got her high school diploma, her driver's liscense, and became an LPN in her 50's (her family was unable to send all of their kids to high school during the depression and my Mom drew the short straw). Their example encouraged me to obtain associate, bachelor, and master degrees while working and raising a family. I gave up a lot including family time but gave up hunting and bowling league during those years to get back some family time. That education enabled me to advance to more challenging and better paying jobs within the same company over the years and offered a good living and, at one time, good benefits. The forced redo of the contract by the Obama administration along with Chrysler/Fiat and the UAW basically threw the retirees under age 65 under the bus. Most people do not realize that. However, I feel fortunate for what I still have but I also know I worked hard to get it. Are my living standards decreasing? YES. Am I better off than many others. YES. If I can avoid a major health issue before Medicare eligibilty I believe I will be okay.

Eagle - you are in the middle of your journey. I used to think people should just pick themselves up from their bootstraps - that everyone had a chance. That is just not true anymore. You can do all of the right things and end up in a hole. Go to college, get straight A's and then not be able to find a job. Or, do what everyone else did - get a 401K and invest everything in it along with your house - and end up with a tanked market. Your optimism is black and white - see the grey.

So because there are what we call unfortunates - and today there are more than ever before - who are where they are because large corporations control us like puppets in a financial way. They can take it all away and then give themselves bonuses. This has not been fixed and will continue.

Because I am naturally jaded and am a big fan of can't believe something too good to be true, and I don't trust Wall Street - I barely invested in a 401K and now have the cash instead. I'm rare and I know it. There aren't a lot of independent thinkers out there. I am terrible at things they are great at so this is not a criticism.

So Eagle you are a rare bird who flies above it all but this is your gift God gave you. Your weakness is your lack of compassion for those who crawl on the ground and cannot fly. A growth opportunity for you.

If we don't pool our resources together in strength - we the people - the true government - will fail. Low income people are not getting the wages or insurance coverage they should and it's time for us to help our neighbors. They can't pull up their bootstraps when they don't have any boots.

The few that have benefited from three decades of Reaganomics, naturally, do not want to give it up and are asking you to give "trickle down" Reaganomics another chance. Are you willing to trust banks, corporations, and the Elite to regulate themselves or have you had enough of Reaganomics.

well greg, i will bet skip isnt worried about his 401k or yours either.

If I squint my eyes and look up, I can see the vague outlines of middle class folk.

In my own family at least one spouse in every pair has lost a job and had to find something else at a lower wage. Only one of those many is a former GM employee, the rest worked in other fields. So we have all felt the squeeze. Some have gone back to school others found work, but conditions and pay are worse and less respectivly. They are all hard workers and lived within their means without all the toys etc. however at the time when they should be able to feel that it has all paid off they have used up nest eggs, lost thousand upon thousands in 401k investments and are struggling to keep up the pace with the economy and aging bodies. Maybe it's time for big business to be forced to keep jobs in the USA, oh wait, that doesn't fit into the Republican plan, oops.

In Wisconsin the squeeze on seniors is the property tax when the government decided in 2000 to transfer the farmers burden to seniors and working non farm families. It also transferred other tax burdens from the farmers to seniors such as sales, income and other financial related laws.

Until the 'powers that be' recognize that it's NOT about the so called job creators, it's about the ability of people to spend money. I wonder what would happen if corporate-America would release that $2.1 TRILLION they've been sitting on for several years? What if they used that money to pay a living wage? Or better benefits (to free up cash in a household)? Most of the time, people spend money when they have it. THAT will create demand for goods, which will stimulate the economy up the chain. Kinda like 'trickle UP' economics.

Why would anyone vote for Romnney and Ryan. They are selling the same package that we have been hearing and following with only a couple of brief respites since Reagon. It never has worked, even David Stockman, Reagon's budget architect said it didn't work. Obama inherited a declining economy after Bush had added to the deficit, started two needless wars, that were not on budget. By the way, Ryan voted for all of Bush's deficit spending. I guess he was for deficits before he was against them. He then had two years before he was faced an intransigent congress whose leaders said their agenda was to keep him a one term president. I think when something has failed for thirty years (trickle down} it's time to give it up.

great article greg, so i presume you will be voting for romney and ryan, for a better future.

Republicans and Democrats... Until we get rid of them might as well give up hope of an economy to benefit regular people.

Hey Greg, that TX woman will likely lose the collector car and the fancy house given she already filed for bankruptcy. Will that make you feel a little better?

Janesville's not the only city that's hurting. It's happening all over the country. My husband had to close his business when his industry basically moved to China. We had to downsize, selling our home of 20 years that we built and raised our large family in. We ended up in Janesville where we now make about 1/3 of what we once did.

You know what? We like it here. We're grateful to be debt-free, and we like our old cars (1997 and 2003) and our tiny house. If there's anything we've learned from the forced downsizing it's that money isn't everything.

P.S. Almost everybody's house is less valuable these days, not just yours. Be grateful you have one!

quote: This Act puts individuals, families and small business owners in control of their health care. It reduces premium costs for millions of working families and small businesses by providing hundreds of billions of dollars in tax relief – the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history. It also reduces what families will have to pay for health care by capping out-of-pocket expenses and requiring preventive care to be fully covered without any out-of-pocket expense. For Americans with insurance coverage who like what they have, they can keep it. Nothing in this act or anywhere in the bill forces anyone to change the insurance they have, period.

Americans without insurance coverage will be able to choose the insurance coverage that works best for them in a new open, competitive insurance market – the same insurance market that every member of Congress will be required to use for their insurance. The insurance exchange will pool buying power and give Americans new affordable choices of private insurance plans that have to compete for their business based on cost and quality. Small business owners will not only be able to choose insurance coverage through this exchange, but will receive a new tax credit to help offset the cost of covering their employees.

It keeps insurance companies honest by setting clear rules that rein in the worst insurance industry abuses. And it bans insurance companies from denying insurance coverage because of a person’s pre-existing medical conditions while giving consumers new power to appeal insurance company decisions that deny doctor ordered treatments covered by insurance.

ACA
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http://www.healthcare.gov/law/full/

@Wonders.... First- Congrats! You should be proud of your accomplishments. Second- I agree that we are in charge of our own lives, have to live with decisions that we make and if we don't like it, then change the factors in which you have control over.....What is so unique to our current economic and social environment is that the factors we can change and/or control are far outnumber by those that we have no control over and can not make an impact on to change therefore leading to this sense of hopelessness, frustration, and fatigue(physically, mentally & emotionally. It's quite natural for one to become extremely pessimistic.

eagle...my partner does DEAL with it on a very large scale, every day of the week. They say people have no clue about the benefits of the AHCA. But, go ahead and believe a big insurance company has your best interests in mind when you need health care. Just keep in mind how much the CEO is making....

Amen wonders!

Why do so many people think they are locked into one economic class or another? I was a lower middle income person too, and I decided to do something about it. I went back to school and researched higher paying jobs and what I needed to do to obtain one of those jobs.
I made the change and now I am making more money than ever before, my body is not beat up from the work issued to do and my life is much more comfortable. This is a country where if you don’t like something in your life CHANGES IT! If you don’t know how to make that change there are plenty of agencies and people that will help you to obtain your goals.
No it is not easy and it takes work and commitment, but if you are willing to take that step and really work you can make the change.
I have nothing against those that do not want to take that risk if they are happy doing what they do. But don’t write about how your life sucks, or how bad off you are. Step up and decide you want a better life and enjoy the benefits that come with it. You are NEVER too old to change, just to set in your ways.

"...and will be paid mostly by getting rid of waste and fraud." This comment regarding Obama's ACA was by far the most comical comment of the day. Thanks for the laugh!!

woody I am glad you know me so well to know that the pre-existing condition hasn't happened to someone close to me, actually it has, let's see should I whine and cry about it? Yes Obamacare is a huge Insurance bill, requiring all to have it is all you need to know. If a person doesn't then what? they go to a government program... like medicare wonderful. Want to know what a mess that thing is, marry someone that deals with it all day long, what a joke yeah we need more of that. Keep giving government more power over your life and then wonder why you are helpless.

Well said, Greg. The erosion of social mobility amongst the middle-class (or what I like to refer to as the working-class) is incredibly disheartening and leaves one feeling hopeless at times. I, like many other 30-somethings, built my future the "right way". Went to college, quickly established a career, saved up & purchased a home, started to build a retirement, lived within my means and started to pay down debt (college loans, etc) & used my discretionary incomes to enjoy life a little and help support others within our community (dined at local restuarants, shopped at local stores, donate to charity/organizations, etc).
And for what?? So we could continue to struggle financially? To be told the investments were pointless? To have the "light at the end of the tunnel" cemented shut? Wages are decreasing rapidly then throw in increased health care costs, gas prices, grocery store bills, various new user fees (i.e. Wheel Tax, etc) and my discretionary income quickly evaporates. The ultimate kick in the gut was hearing from a local appraisal company that my well-cared for home with many smart updates (roof, etc) is worth 30% less than it was 5 years ago. I'm not "under water", I'm drowning. So yes...not only am I feeling "squeezed" but also suffocated, beaten and demoralized.

Eagle1 said: "What is Obamacare other than a huge bonus for the insurance industry"
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That must be why the insurance industry is lobbying AGAINST it. They would rather have medicare run by them like the repubs say they will do. Remember medicare-D, Bush's drug program? The insurance companies will just stop coverage if they can't make enough money on it. The insurance companies can use this thing called "pre-existing condition" to deny someone coverage. Wait until it happens to someone near you and they get stuck with a HUGE bill. Obama's health care act is addressing fraud by the insurance providers. It addresses the "pre-existing condition" loophole, and will be paid mostly by getting rid of waste and fraud. It is not perfect, but is a huge step in the right direction.

I will, thanks for the permission and yes it is very much the point, for my entire voting life I have watched people blindly follow two parties and continue to get the same BS thrown at them, what is Franklins definition of insanity? We have reached a boiling point, one that is on a crash course for massive destruction, yet we just go along and continue to give more power to the cause of this destruction. it baffles me more and more everyday.

What does it cost to pet a dog ? What does it cost to help a troubled teen, visit somebody in a nursing home, talk with an elderly neighbor, rake somebody's leaves, shovel a walk for somebody, take a nice walk in the woods, go fishing
or sit and read a good book ? Sometimes living the simple life is much more rewarding than spending a lot of money on yourself. We used to make a lot of money. Now we make less than twenty thousand a year. We live a good life, in fact we live a much better life than we did when we made a bunch of money. We have to save for what we buy. Life is fun.

eagle1-not the point at all...vote for whomever you wish....

"If it keeps on raining,
Levee's going to break.
Crying won't help you,
Praying won't do you no good.
When the levee breaks,
Mama you got to move."

That's right partarican1, continue to vote for the parties that continue to create the disaster. I know principles and being genuine are not popular in politics these days however, I feel better supporting a true candidate I believe in rather than blindly following a party that does nothing but try to hold on to their own power.

NVgrf, I agree with you in some parts the GOP does not have anyones interest but their own, however neither does the democratic party. What is Obamacare other than a huge bonus for the insurance industry, Denis Kucinich's words, was the stimulus bill anything but corporate welfare? I know being a blind partisan is a hard thing to get over especially when you were part of a political organization like the teachers union, but once you escape from that rhetoric like I did from the UAW you will be truly free and liberated. Remember Vote Johnson in November for real change!

don't be a victim and waste a vote on someone who won't get enough electoral votes to become president...

ImJustSayin: Ditto.

The squeeze on the middle class? I decided to have my grandchildren over for a simple hot dogs on the grill meal recently. I shop wisely but spent $25.00 on that simple meal and dessert was the cheapest ice cream I could find in the store. I don't know how anyone affords to feed kids simple meals anymore.

Well said Eagle!

The Bush and Mitt gang have no interest in the middle class. All one has to do is investigate their proposed policies, including those relating to taxes, and the evidence is clear. And the puzzling thing is that a measure of their suppport comes from those who would be hurt the most. Incredible!

We can whine, or get on with life...I do both :-) as my monthly income now is 1/2 of what it was when I retired...
Such is life I guess..
That answer your question ??

woody, thank you for making my point.

"Why should the rich have to share anything with you or anyone?"
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Some believe the rich should not even have to pay taxes.....
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Just remember...the less the rich pay, the more the middle class pays.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOyyfrqGx...

Ten years ago I was making a very good salary and then I decided to start up my own business. It was rough for the first year but within 18 months I had put a nice chunk away and even bought a house, on my own no government help. That continued for a few years then I made one bad business move and lost everything, I mean everything. Something many that like to blast successful business owners don't understand is that there is GREAT risk involved in building a business, if it succeeds it can be outstanding but if it doesn't as in my case it is disasterous. I luckily found work at a great company that is putting me on a path to success however for the past couple years my financial situation is nowhere near where it was 10 years ago. Despite two college degrees and a ton of experience I would find it really tough to buy a home or even a new car at this point, but the funny thing is I am happy and content. The reason for my downswing was all my own doing as was my earlier success. Did the overall economy have something to do with me losing everything? Perhaps indirectly but I would never point to that as a reason.

When you realize your mistakes and own them it is a very liberating experience. The constant pointing of fingers and whining because this politician did this or that does nothing for the individual. Blaming someone else for an indirect impact on your situation is non productive. Even blaming someone that may have had a direct impact on your situation is non productive, you can't change it, correct? It is our own personal responsibility to make sure we are skilled and employable to give us the ability to market ourselves and have backup plans in case a catastrophe happens.

This city suffered a huge loss when GM pulled out and the change to the employees was huge, however to replay for years and years how someone was screwed by GM does nobody any good. I have many friends that were imapcted by that event and the vast majority embraced the change and realized that overall they got a pretty good deal being able to keep their jobs, salary and benefits, not to mention a nice chunk to move on.

Life is what you make of it, I was never rich or wealthy, I grew up raised by a mother working 3 jobs that refused any assistance, I guess I have her to thank for my resistance to government help even when in dire situations.

Bottom line is have the majority of us taken a hit in the past decade? Yes, how much of it did we contribute to that negative impact, if you objectively and genuinely analyze your situation you may find you are more responsible for it than you first thought.

Don't be a victim, vote Johnson in November!

Shopiere: I have no answer for you. Maybe you could ask Jim Brandenburg.

I sure can..
Got squeezed right out of it into poverty level!

Kleej, what's with your inability to read and recognize sarcasm? Why should I have to explain this to you? It's all about reading comprehension.

RetiredAirForce; Well said! No critical thinking going on anymore... It's easier to just google it. Plus, with all the reality TV and virtual reality sources such as video games, texting, & Facebook, people can just live their lives through technology. The disconnected generation!

Joy doesn't come from class
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Joy doesn't come from money.

Sorry, placed in wrong comment section.

Sadly most media observers have come to think the balance provided by the major media outlets is how everything should be. With a tiny bit of objective investigation, looking at how those in the big media spend their personal dollars, a clear bias is seen. It is this "slanted" balance most think should be everywhere, in the same proportions, because they think that is normal. When confronted with the facts around this they scoff and wince, wanting only what they consider to be normal.

Entertainment Workers Giving Six Times as Much to Democrats as Republicans http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/de...

The best investment, period, is in yourself. The days of the stock markets and investing money to make money are going away. A self directed educational program with principles wrapped around the information age is the future. And the future is now.

shopiere--- What's with the chip on the shoulder? Why should the rich have to share anything with you or anyone? It's called entrepreneurship. Too many people with the entitlement attitude and not enough willing to take responsibility for their own selves. Just like "winstonchill" said, change is life and very few embrace change because it's too uncomfortable. Any path to success involves discomfort to some degree. (And I'm talking about success in anything!) And "winston's" correct about the opportunities that are aplenty out there for those willing to do what it takes to go get it.

I thought I could identify with the squeeze on the middle class, but according to the article on today's front page, my income doesn't qualify me for it. So while you all suffer being squeezed in the middle class, I'm partying near the top of the lower class... woo hoo!

"She didn’t earn any sympathy from us."- Greg Peck, from article.

I can surely find someone who is lower on the socioeconomic scale than you are Greg. That person might say the same thing about your situation.

Let's just make sure no one has more than we do, right? After all, the rich people are going to share with us, aren't they?

I'll have to say I've been lucky so far this past decade. No aches or pains, I have a job and my only debt is the house.
I could go on, but it might start to seem like I'm gloating.
The most important thing I have gotten these past years is the ability to appreciate things more today because everything could be gone tomorrow.
How did I do it? One day at a time, and not to pick up that first drink. If I did, everything would be gone tomorrow.

Nothing burns me more than someone buying top of the line food at gorcery store, driving a new nice car, iphone in hand....only to find out that they are living off state aid and are unemployed...while the rest work our butts off to flip the bill.