Inside California's Tent Cities

punmax · March 28, 2009

Really eye opening and gives you an idea of how bad the economic situation really is. Hope the best for all of these folks.

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/03/2...ENTS_index.html

Also

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/s..._recession.html

An awesome site.

ATMINF · March 28, 2009

I feel kind of bad for some of these people, but what were their plans for growing up? This country has the greatest opportunity to make something outta yourself. Trust me I have been in alot of crappy places, and when it comes down to it, hard work with a little luck can take you farther in America than any other place. Also for the younger people in that group Uncle Sam is always hiring.

ALange · March 29, 2009

Stunning pictures. It may be that these days will be called the good old days compared to what is to come.

gave20 · March 29, 2009

I don't feel too sorry for them; maybe this time they'll learn to better manage their money.

weymard · March 29, 2009

Deeply moving images, I hope that it will not arrive in Europe

pennzoil29 · March 29, 2009

My heart goes out to any body that has to live like that. However, there is a way to keep that from happening, it's called a job. I realize that the job market is slim, but there are some out there. What kill's me is, the young people of today think they should start out at $20 an hour for doing nothing. I can remember working for less than $2 an hour, and having to work my ass off.

MarkD · March 29, 2009

I feel sorry for them. I am sure there are some scammers in there, but it could happen to the best of us. I've seen people living well, nice house, cars, jobs, etc. Then the husband loses his job unexpectedly. He ends up taking a min wage job because that's all he can find now. Then the wife loses her job of 25 years at some mfg plant that is closing. They go from making $100k a year or more to making $30k a year (for the household). They lose their house, they lose their cars, they lose their credit rating, etc.

I've seen it happen. I don't know what to do to fix each situation, but I am really slow to judge someone elses actions.

superjim · March 29, 2009

What kill's me is, the young people of today think they should start out at $20 an hour for doing nothing.
I can remember working for less than $2 an hour, and having to work my ass off.

Been there and done THAT.

I had to start at the bottom and work my way up....not start at the top with high wages.

gave20 · March 29, 2009

My heart goes out to any body that has to live like that. However, there is a way to keep that from happening, it's called a job.

It's also called having a 6 month emergency savings in case you do happen to lose your job. Unfortunately this tidbit of financial information bypassed these people.

txab · March 29, 2009

Deeply moving images, I hope that it will not arrive in Europe

Unfortunately in your country workers are kidnapping their bosses and holding them for ransom.

hill2000 · March 30, 2009

Deeply moving images, I hope that it will not arrive in Europe

Unfortunately in your country workers are kidnapping their bosses and holding them for ransom.

These images are really sad and they can be very depressing. I believe the world is greatly experiencing this recession, that even ric countries are suffering. We'll hope and pray that the condition will be better in the days to come.

Z71kris · March 30, 2009

effing wild!!

d3athsong · March 30, 2009

I feel sorry for them. I am sure there are some scammers in there, but it could happen to the best of us. I've seen people living well, nice house, cars, jobs, etc. Then the husband loses his job unexpectedly. He ends up taking a min wage job because that's all he can find now. Then the wife loses her job of 25 years at some mfg plant that is closing. They go from making $100k a year or more to making $30k a year (for the household). They lose their house, they lose their cars, they lose their credit rating, etc.

I've seen it happen. I don't know what to do to fix each situation, but I am really slow to judge someone elses actions.

I do feel bad for these people, but the easiest way to avoid this is to buy what you can afford rather then whatever you want.

ScottyBoy · April 1, 2009

I don't feel bad for them one bit. I've been there and done that. I went from having a decent paying job and nice house to becoming homeless overnight and lost just about everything I own. All I had was my wife's car and a week's worth of clothes. Thats what hurricane Katrina did to me. But instead of looking for a handout like most of the other Katrina victims, I immediately seached for a new job. Katrina hit on August 29th 2005. I had a job here in Shreveport by Sept 1st. I hadn't even seen my house yet, and I went ahead and got a job here.(Good thing I did too, becuase my place of work was completely destroyed, literally gone) And by November, I had a place to stay. (Not a FEMA TRAILER EITHER!) Granted, we weren't on the street, but we were living in one bedroom of my wife's parents house. Myself, my wife (who was 8 mos pregnant at the time), my son, and our dog all crammed into a small 10x11 bedroom. And still, I see on the news how people are still living in FEMA trailers and living off the government. Its called being lazy, not misfortuneate. You want something bad enough, you will go get it. Not just sit there and wish for it.

txab · April 1, 2009

I don't feel bad for them one bit. I've been there and done that. I went from having a decent paying job and nice house to becoming homeless overnight and lost just about everything I own. All I had was my wife's car and a week's worth of clothes. Thats what hurricane Katrina did to me. But instead of looking for a handout like most of the other Katrina victims, I immediately seached for a new job. Katrina hit on August 29th 2005. I had a job here in Shreveport by Sept 1st. I hadn't even seen my house yet, and I went ahead and got a job here.(Good thing I did too, becuase my place of work was completely destroyed, literally gone) And by November, I had a place to stay. (Not a FEMA TRAILER EITHER!) Granted, we weren't on the street, but we were living in one bedroom of my wife's parents house. Myself, my wife (who was 8 mos pregnant at the time), my son, and our dog all crammed into a small 10x11 bedroom. And still, I see on the news how people are still living in FEMA trailers and living off the government. Its called being lazy, not misfortuneate. You want something bad enough, you will go get it. Not just sit there and wish for it.

Way to go Scott! Good for you. Wished others had your kind of attitude.

On another note, how goes the ticket fiasco?