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Election Day of the Apocalypse
By Ken LayneJun 22nd 2008 5:37PM
Filed Under:eFeatured Stories, Economy, 2008 President, Ken Layne's Outrage
It's the most ominous headline ever seen on a plain vanilla Associated Press news article: "Everything Seemingly Is Spinning Out Of Control."A terrifying litany of economic, social, political and environmental collapse, the AP story ties together such horrors as the flooding of the entire U.S. Midwest, the awful failure of the "War On Terror" in Afghanistan and Iraq, the skyrocketing gasoline prices that are literally crippling America in a matter of weeks, the melting of the Earth's polar ice caps, the dramatic sudden failure of our nation's infrastructure, the hundreds of thousands of dead or missing after the Sichuan earthquake and Myanmar cyclone, and the U.S. real estate collapse which has violently stripped away the only real wealth of more than half of all homeowners -- and it's all only getting worse.
Beaten, debt-ridden and baffled by everything, many Americans have been obsessed by this long presidential primary and election season, at least on the Democratic side, where people voted in record numbers for either a return to the relative peace and prosperity of the 1990s, or gamble on someone stained by neither side of the Bush/Clinton regime. But what hellish skeleton of the American Dream will remain when we finally drag ourselves to the polling place on November 4?
Here's a cheery factoid mentioned on the public radio business program Marketplace last week: There are now 9,000 -- nine thousand! -- new home foreclosures every day. That's 270,000 houses per month, more than 3 million when this awful year has finally ended.
Nobody, least of all the greed-crazed bankers who fueled this real-estate fire, has any idea how bad it will get and how many homeowners will be left homeless and penniless by the time this long collapse is complete. But optimistic estimates from early spring (when things were supposedly starting to get better) predicted nearly 7 million homes would be lost to foreclosure by 2010, or more than 8% of all American mortgages.
The real number is too grim to even guess, as the combination of massive job losses and $5 or $6 or $10 per gallon gasoline force people to choose between making payments on an exurb house worth half its mortgage or abandoning it for a hovel within walking distance of the grocery store and its $10 poison tomatoes.Meanwhile, this nation of debtors is falling behind or forfeiting on all their other loans and revolving accounts. The FDIC and consumer lenders say that a record number of borrowers have stopped paying their home equity, car, college, credit card, construction and small-business debt. According to the Washington Post, the regional banks holding most of this bad paper "are teetering, and a few have already collapsed."
In the chill of November, we'll finally see the effect of these oil prices on the Northeast and Midwest and Great Lakes -- where the choice between surviving the winter and freezing to death will be made only by those who can afford thousands of gallons of heating oil or $500 a month to keep the propane tank filled.
Four months is a long time, even when things are good. Memory is short in this country and attention spans are infantile. Will the record-breaking numbers of the primaries repeat on Election Day, or will the people finally be too beaten down to bother?
Ken Layne is the managing editor of Wonkette.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 4)jagorev6:11PMJun 22nd 2008
I AGREE KEN LAYNE BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA IS OBVIOUSLY THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE WHO HAS CAUSED ALL OF THESE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS AND WILL DESTROY AMERICA. HILLARY '12!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pete6:27PMJun 22nd 2008
What an exercise in useless pessimism this piece is! Americans do not have complete control of the planet because we cannot prevent earthquakes, cyclones, or tornadoes; but we _can_ take control of our own government with the right leadership. Obama is the wrong choice for leadership. If we make the mistake of electing Obama, it could mean the end of this country as we know it. The election of Obama would be the final catastrophe: an inexperienced, racist, anti-American with a history of drug and alcohol abuse who is dedicated to some kind of nebulous "change." It's becoming increasingly apparent that Obama's "change we can count on" is a "change" of his opinion and position every five minutes. Talk about a chameleon! He is indeed the candidate of "change," but we can't certainly trust the nature of that change since his positions and policies are vacillating constantly. He stands firmly for nothing. His candidacy is based on the inexperience of three years in national government and on the collective insanity of the dilettantes who have supported him. But I have faith that the silent majority of Americans who voted for Hillary Clinton or John McCain will save this country, not from earthquakes, floods, and cyclones, but from the worse ravages of a possible Obama administration. I believe from talking to thousands of voters in working for Clinton across the country, that if the January , February, and March primaries were held today, Obama would sustain a crushing defeat. Damaging elements of truth, like his association with an anti-American pastor and church did not emerge until mid-March, after many primaries had been held. As more information about the real Obama emerges, he won't have a chance of defeating McCain in the fall because the silent majority of Americans care enough about this country to crawl to the polls through flood, earthquake, and hurricane in order to save America from destruction by voting for McCain and against the fraudulent Obama. To read the facts and join the effort to save America, go to ExposeObama.com
I am optimistic that we can save this country from collapse by electing the right leader: McCain. Save pessimism for the earthquakes and cyclones over which we have no control, but champion optimism by fighting the Obama candidacy!
tfitz10176:28PMJun 22nd 2008
Hey Ken, Notice that the Hil-Bot Machine has moved on and is now fired up for McCain, This jagorev is obviously a wino sitting in a room somewhere, paid per post.They will strike in waves, usually at the top of the comments. A lot like locust.
Go git you a short dog, jagorev. You earned it!
Ronald Pagan6:32PMJun 22nd 2008
Hi wino Jagorev!
Davidg6:33PMJun 22nd 2008
Ken Layne thinks he's smarter than you.
but he's not.
Stryker6:35PMJun 22nd 2008
Ken Layne, once again I'm baffled by this chicken little article and your pronouncements of doom and gloom.
I remember when you wrote a similar article for the Turkish Daily News back in 1992, proclaiming the end of Western Civilization and the launch of a glorious new Jihad against insidious Western influence, like the mullet and cargo pants. How I remember too well your joyful ebullience as you recounted the fall of boy bands and butt rock, and the rise of grunge as if it meant Western Civilization had finally entered its final and bloody climax.
You were wrong then and you are wrong now, Mr. Layne. Sure, New Kids on the Block were knocked down for awhile, but they have a new single out this year. You can't keep a good boy band down, and you can't keep America down, either. Sure, lots of people will lose their homes, and yes, massive natural devastation combined with lack of a coherent monetary policy will result in the loss of trillions of dollars, but that's just a temporary thing. Believe me, if we just ignore it, it'll be like it never happened. That's what the Japanese did back in the early '90s and look a them now -- they're making hot robot chicks and have a successful next gen game system. They're back on top.
Like NKOTB, we'll have to go through some lean times, and a few regrettable solo albums, but those who survive Thunderdome will be stronger and more ready than ever to seize the reigns and ride off to a bright and sunny future.
Davidg6:36PMJun 22nd 2008
except for you tfitz, he is smarter than you.
nbawriter16:52PMJun 22nd 2008
DavidG thinks he is creating some sort of dramatic finish to his comment with this style of finish ...
but he hasn't.
Crystal8:12PMJun 22nd 2008
Way to go Ken. Keep up that pessimistic attitude. Just what our country needs.
debbie8:45PMJun 22nd 2008
Where is this guy from--Aol can really pick them.
McCain 08
alison damore9:21PMJun 22nd 2008
This election has divided america worse than it has been in years. Its gone a huge step backwards! The blacks hate the white, the whites hate the black, the hispanic are angry! Unite american? YEAH RIGHT OBAMA
donner_froh9:41PMJun 22nd 2008
"Ken Layne thinks he's smarter than you."
He is smarter than Davidg
This is the death agony of the American Century.
Susan9:52PMJun 22nd 2008
I believe that America as we know it WILL, in fact, cease to exist if Obama and his Chicago thug machine take over.
It will be akin to how Chicago is ruled by the mob - well, the whole United States will be ruled by Obama's mob. Rev, Wright, Farrakhan, those types of people.
People don't take it serious but they should!
T_LaRue9:55PMJun 22nd 2008
Yeah, Ken, "way to go," you are ruining EVERYTHING here on AOL with your "doom" and your "gloom" and your "not typing in all caps." WHY DO YOU HATE THE CAPS LOCK KEY, MR. LAYNE, IF THAT IS IN FACT YOUR REAL NAME? Are you "goth" or "emo" with your depression and darkness and bleak literary wrist-cutting and pictures of hobos on the curb? Just admit it: that picture is PHOTOSHOPPED TO REMOVE THE HOBOS' BINDLES TO MAKE THEM EVEN MORE PATHETIC!!!!1!!!1 You are a sexy beast, though, a/s/l??
Ruby10:03PMJun 22nd 2008
Obama Moves DNC Headquarters to Chicago
No Quarter - June 13, 2008
I heard the news, and was struck by the audacity of Obama moving the DNC headquarters and employees to the epicenter of machine and mob politics. Ben Smith of Politico.com wrote that the abrupt move is “a major shakeup” and, in an understated phrase, a “departure from tradition.”
I knew at once that Barack Obama was seizing the DNC by the hair, and dragging it into his lair where he can seize control of the Democratic party’s monies, its employees, and any access to its power brokers. The party is no longer, in any way, the party of the Democratic voter. It is now Barack Obama’s party, to do with as he wishes.
The Obama-controlled Chicago machine will hold sway over all Superdelegates running for reelection this year — including their access to money, support, and endorsements.
Those freshman House members will be kneeling and kissing Obama’s ring in no time and, for their sakes, they’d better not have supported Hillary.
....................................................
Our only hope is to defeat the DNC selected candidate.
McCain 2008 - Hillary 2012 - Never Obama
OhReally10:13PMJun 22nd 2008
Hillary 2008...Do you suppose MoveOn has finally figures out they are backing a loser????????????
Jo in SoCal10:20PMJun 22nd 2008
You forgot to mention the locusts are coming.
Brother, Can You Spare A DimeEuro?10:51PMJun 22nd 2008
During the 1st Great Depression 85% of people lived on farms,today less than 5%.........Good Luck with that farming in a window box and keeping chickens and a pig in the bathroom!
Kenneth11:12PMJun 22nd 2008
America as we’ve know it will cease to exist in just a few short years. A new world order awaits right around the Conner. Anyone's eyes that are opened can see what is happing all around us. Disasters of great magnitudes, collapse of the finical markets, outrages gas prices, soaring energy prices, out sourcing of American jobs, high unemployment rates,
food prices increasing at a weekly rate, millions upon millions of dollars being spent on 2 wars.
The National dept in the trillions, it goes on and on. Some Americans are now at a point where they must choose between eating and putting fuel in their cars. Food banks are dangerously low on food to help the hungry. Greed and scandal through out Washington.
It would be one thing if there were just a problem or two, but the problems are so many and so great all at one time, that I don’t believe any Government official knows what to do or how to deal with so many issues that are now facing our once great Nation.
The Democrats have been in control for how long now, and they have done nothing to ease the burdens/problems of our Nation. While the Republicans fight tooth and nail just not to give in to the Democrats. Both these parties have done nothing for the American people.
Each party blocks each other so nothing gets done. And who pays the price, the American people. Government officials sit in Washington with high salaries and the best health care. While millions of Americans have no health insurance and making less money today then ever before. CEO’s getting richer by the day.
We think things are grim now just wait things are going to get much worse.
Doom and gloom NO reality!
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suzanne6:02PMJun 22nd 2008
My God I thought I had stumbled onto a Michelle Obama speech.. doom & gloom doom & gloom my... oh my
We are going through some very difficult times some people more then others.. thats for sure but I know our grandparents/& some of our parents went through thru the great depression if they can make it.. we can make. We will rebound but it's not going to happen during the next Presidency.. no matter who is in office.
I hope everyone reading that has a few extra dollars will give to the RED CROSS to help the flood victims, they are going to need assistance in the coming months. Help them if you can....