economy is doing just great!!!?

[Bert31]

Worse than? ever? You think this is worse than the Great Depression of the early 1930's when 1 in 4 workers were unemployed?

No, But we are probably getting close to the second Great Depression. It is getting pretty bad.

I seriously doubt it. Today we have much better understanding of monetary policy and fiscal policy than we did in the 1930's. Such knowledge of monetary and fiscal policy is how we were able to turn around the rotten economy of stagflation in the late 70's/ early 80's

As long as people are dumb enough to pay 9 bucks for the ticket, then I guess the people who draw them to the theaters (big name actors and actresses) deserve it. Otherwise, it would all go to the producers. I have been to the theaters twice in the past decade so I don't feel too responsible for their bloated salaries.

Same goes for athletes. If people are dumb enought to pay $50 to $100 to watch an NBA, NFL or MLB game than the guys who pack the stadiums (the athletes) deserve the money. Otherwise it would all go to the owners.

Ya, well its what the people want to see. Its ridiculous that they would make it so much for what the people want to see. A good example of the abuse of supply and demand..

How is that an abuse of supply and demand? People demand such entertainment and are dumb enough to pay the high prices for it, that means someone with the God given gifts to supply such entertainment will cash in on it. Not much different than that late 70's/early 80's when people were demanding an operating system to simplify the use of PC's. A really smart Harvard drop out had the ability to write an operating system called MS DOS and later became the wealthiest man in the world.

Who said it no longer exists in the US? Try telling that to the Mexican who snuck into the US to live such a dream. He probably shakes his head looking at many Americans who are too lazy to work hard and still expect the government or the wealthy to take care of them instead of them getting off their butt and taking care of themselves.

You went off topic. I was saying the lower/middle class who probably work a lot harder than the higher class do not make as much money, and that's why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer..

With the exception to people who inherit it (estate taxes are a whole new thread), I have never met a wealthy person who achieved wealth by punching out after an 8 hour day. They worked much longer hours than those who work for them, took risks (which if they failed could have cost them their homes), and made a long term plans on how to get to where they are. Granted, it does take a certain degree of intelligence to reach financial success, you won't find too many dumb successful people.

On the flip side, many who never reach financial success don't want to work much more than 40 a week, don't want to risk their financial security and only look at their career on a day to day basis with no long term plans. And there is nothing wrong with people with that type of attitude towards their career, they just should not be envious of those who do take risks and have a long term plan for success.

Reply's in bold

 

[ScottB]

I too doubt a depression is a reality currently, but believe we are in a recession. People arent jumping out of buildings yet, just giving em back to the banks as foreclosures. Credit is much easier to get and rebuild.

As for the middle class, surely its shrinking. There are more riches and poorer currently, but I feel sorry for those swindled into the American Dream versus those sitting on the sidelines cheating the system and finding ways to receive relief that once was considered a taboo. We benefit much to easily with no checks and balances.

As for movies, the theatre is really a dying art. In order to build and play these hits the outlay is multi-millions. With less people using them, they charge more to make up for the losses and stay in business. Sure movies cost huge amounts to better the last, but can actually make up the profit quicker with end user purchasers and rentals. The unfortunate thing is our youth will not necessarily enjoy the fun of a movie experience, the taste of bad popcorn, and the sound of a cracking subwoofer. I find the threatre special and willing to pay the extra cost to see my young children gain the experience. Unfortunately it wont be an every weekend expense.

 

[Bunky]

I do not think it is the theaters but the production costs for movies. People complain about CEO salaries (count me here) as unfair but I consider entertainment artists in the same class. I do not like it every time a Beatles song is played commercially that Michael Jackson gets a royalty to subsidize him and his friends/leeches. They make far money than they are really worth in my opinion. Just look at what these people (Britney, Lindsay, etc) do with all the money that supposedly people earned.

 

[trhland]

I do not think it is the theaters but the production costs for movies. People complain about CEO salaries (count me here) as unfair but I consider entertainment artists in the same class. I do not like it every time a Beatles song is played commercially that Michael Jackson gets a royalty to subsidize him and his friends/leeches. They make far money than they are really worth in my opinion. Just look at what these people (Britney, Lindsay, etc) do with all the money that supposedly people earned.

Michael Jackson sold the Beatles song book catalog rights. but i see your point

 

[Old Pirate]

I just got my hr's cut in half today, it sucks!

 

[trhland]

i told my wife she might have to start hooking

 

[Kevzaz]

i told my wife she might have to start hooking

Thats even a dieing business now... people don't want to pay me anymore, so they just shoot me like im in GTA... Oh... I was kind of hoping to get to know you guys better before I told you this. Well.. ya.. =\ But even music artists get a lot more money than they deserve, yes they got a talent. But a talent that is meant to get them millions of dollars? I don't think so. While there are people FIGHTING for our country in Iraq, they get nothing compared to artists. So, in other words. Guitar > Freedom... makes sense... right? I don't know, I just think that far more people deserve money than what other people do.

 

[ScottB]

i told my wife she might have to start hooking

no kidding .... (j/k)

There was an article in local Sun Sentinel that said strippers are down (no pun) and upset that they are to hurting in this economy. Seems like the men have no money to visit, even with the free lunch buffets and other offerings to entice a visit.

 

[trhland]

its funny because a friend of mine who is single and lives home with mommy . at age 47. goes to ( bada bing) satin dolls . the club were they film sopranos. its about 10 minutes from me . anyway he goes there alot it seems and he says th girsl are complaining no ones taking them into the vip room. and there not making anymoney! so yes maybe they are taking a hit.

 

[trhland]

Thats even a dieing business now... people don't want to pay me anymore, so they just shoot me like im in GTA... Oh... I was kind of hoping to get to know you guys better before I told you this. Well.. ya.. = But even music artists get a lot more money than they deserve, yes they got a talent. But a talent that is meant to get them millions of dollars? I don't think so. While there are people FIGHTING for our country in Iraq, they get nothing compared to artists. So, in other words. Guitar > Freedom... makes sense... right? I don't know, I just think that far more people deserve money than what other people do.

what i would like to know is how are these new music artits making so much money? take (clay akin) from amarican idol winner .they showed a pic of house on tv. its huge!!! i mean are poeple still buying cds? i cant remember the last one i bought. i think it was the sound track to the movie "annie" ok j/k. but seriously no ones really buying many c/ds anymore . with the interent and satilite radio who needs too.

 

[Kevzaz]

what i would like to know is how are these new music artits making so much money? take (clay akin) from amarican idol winner .they showed a pic of house on tv. its huge!!! i mean are poeple still buying cds? i cant remember the last one i bought. i think it was the sound track to the movie "annie" ok j/k. but seriously no ones really buying many c/ds anymore . with the interent and satilite radio who needs too.

I was kind of wondering the same thing. I don't buy CD's unless they are my favorite band... I bought the new Disturbed CD.

 

[trhland]

all the music store by me went outa business . the only place left is the mall. and there a rip..