Wealth Gap Widens For The Holidays

[NEOBuckeye]

Upscale Holiday

Rich ready to spend this Christmas; middle class feeling pinched

By Mary Ethridge
Beacon Journal business writer

THE HOLIDAY shopping season approaches, America is a nation divided over more than politics.

Economists and retail experts say the country shows signs of splitting into two spending camps -- the rich and everyone else.

``It's as fragmented a retail market as I can remember seeing,'' said Michael P. Niemira, chief economist and director of research for the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Bolstered by rising interest and dividend income; tax cuts; and more stable stock portfolios, wealthy Americans are feeling flush and happy to buy, experts say. But the lower and mid-income consumers -- pinched by sluggish wage increases, rising fuel prices and massive credit card debt -- are scaling back and seeking deals.

More: www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/10115019.htm

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Remember folks, Bush is a good, moral, Christian man, and he's exactly the right leader at the right time for America. Pay no mind to the fact that you'll be pinching pennies just to try and pay that gas bill this holiday season, let alone for presents for your loved ones, even as Bush and his rich corporate buddies are living up the good life. Oh, but he's a good, moral, Christian man. Oh, yes!

[yardwork]

1. Fortunately, us poor 'uns have a better option anyway

As discussed in the "Starve the Beast" thread and others like it here on DU, a lot of us are "going natural" in our lifestyles. We're rejecting the premise that the good life is based on buying tons of useless shit in big boxes or big malls. We're buying local, making handmade things, shopping at tag sales and thrift stores, and generally scaling back in the interest of sanity, peace, and goodwill to our global neighbors.

[llmart]

10. fyi

There's a shop called "Ten Thousand Villages" that I believe may have an online site. They sell free trade items from other countries that are wonderful! Shop at places like that.

[Demoiselle]

13. We've got a "Ten Thousand Villages" in our village....

Very very nice stuff. Our "village", by the way, is a prosperous corner of Philadelphia that went whole hog for Kerry. (Republicans included, by the looks of things.) I'm gonna go get some placemats!

[high density]

2. Suck it up, Ohio

Gay marriage and abortion were more important issues than the income gap, remember?

(And yes, this is the disclaimer where I say I'm sorry to all of those in Ohio who did not vote for Dumbya and do not deserve to feel the pain of his policies.)

[Erika]

3. Bush has turned us into a banana republic

I will be exiting this country. The great American experiment didn't work.

[Tight_rope]

4. I won't be buying shit for Christmas...I have not shopped at Walmart

in over 6months!

[Child_Of_Isis]

5. I am not doing Christmas either.

I choose to abstain.

[kimchi]

18. Haven't been to WallyWorld in 4 years, ain't starting now.

Yule gifts will be crafted. Let us hasten the inevitable collapse of the economy.

(I voted but had too much trouble with avatar to change it.)

[DELUSIONAL]

6. Christmas and protest idea all in one -- and cheap

http://www.notmecampaign.com/


A black protest bracelet -- part of the proceeds go to DU.

Give one to everyone on your list and something you made yourself.

[Catfight]

7. Pray for gifts, Bush the Messiah will provide you with gifts this holiday!

[The Zanti Regent]

22. Join the Presidential Prayer Team!

This is the enemy:

http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org

Let these assholes pray for Divine Intervention in the economy

[xchrom]

8. i save my money

and i spend it in europe.
and i have a jolly good time doin it that way too.
just spent 21 days in october giving the irish my hard earned dollars.
i wouldn't spend ONE EXTRA DIME on the american economy!
won't do it -- i just won't.

[bleedingheart]

9. I am not buying much this holiday season.

I am not wasting my money, got to save it cuz we are going to need it.

[AmandaRuth]

11. blessed be the rich!

eom

[henslee]

12. Ive seen this movie. It's back to the Future !. We're living in BiffWorld.

[Neverarepublican]

14. What to boycott

I don't have enough posts to start a thread. If someone wants to start a thread with this I found this today.

http://www.boycottbush.net/

[donsu]

15. the credit card companies must be hurting cause

visa sent me in the mail a notice that I'll not be charged any interest for Nov. and Dec. purchases and I won't have to pay the Membership fee for the next yr.

they even included one of those party favors that you blow into and they unroll and make a sound.

(I have one credit card with a fairly low ceiling for emergancy use and internet purchases)

[hatrack]

17. Had three credit cards on Thusday - down to one today

One I hadn't used in about a year, the other was as 0% deal I used to buy computers about a year ago. Paid off, gone, and snip, snip snip. Felt great!!

[yorkiemommie1]

16. No more buying

except for things to make life easier for my daughter after her car accident...

...also several copies of orwell's '1984'

i am in no mood to cook holiday meals for my freeper husband and brother.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. The bushbots do not see this

they have better hjobs than the rest of us... and they do nto see the unemployment

It is so much reminiscent of.... 1930 United States

Watch Annie, this is exactly what we are alrady seeing

As an aside, ALL LIBERALS should NOT buy Christmas gifts, and we should just save our money. things will get worst, but... we need to keep the money OUT of circulation as much as possible

If you have an urge:

Buy antiques, buy locally made goods, DO NOT boy at major chains.

[Dr Fate]

20. "Yeah- but at least we voted against the queers!!!"

"Sorry Suzy- no 'Brats' dolls for you- but at least me & maw stood up to dem queers!!!"

[indie_voter]

23. Yep, if I see any sob stories on cable from the red states, I'll puke

The people have spoken, now they need to deal with it.

Too bad the rest of us have to suffer along with them.

[Gloria]

21. A few dead elderly people who can't afford heating fuel should add to

the festive air of the season....(sarcasm off)