Billions on entertainment, but we're in a 'crisis'

I can't wait till our TROOPS start coming home and some non citizen is sitting on the job the trooper need to support his family------

One other thing---I read an article about the feds telliong the American Auto makers to
"Shape Up"-----HEY UNKA SAM--Why the hell don't you slam the door on jap imports--
I saw a "Bumpper Sticker" I like, on the back of an 18 wheeler---"REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR--REAR-END A MITSUBISHI".

Quite interesting that you say that. But alot of jobs come through the entertainment industry or things supported by it... so if we stop 'abusing' it what happens to those jobs??? OH and then gosh i totally forgot about this... TAXES! Wow that great 7.25% we pay... goes towards lets see... schools... law enforcement... hmmm i see a continuous trend here!!! Our biggest issue is we don't really on our own economy!!! We keep trying to balance everything through other countries when we can support ourselves on what the great and wonderful US can produce! We are in an economic crisis!!! But what's worse is the economy is the least of our worries.

We should let the big 3 american auto companies file for bankruptcy. The they can renegotiate those union contracts. Average auto worker makes over $70 an hour factoring in benefits & pension. Ever wonder why business goes overseas? Its still cheaper to build them there and have it shipped here than to pay off the unions.

ok your right we are the cause

silverwolf do you really think those jobs in the entertainment industry are not over paid and couldnt possably afford to pay out a little more taxes torward schools or law inforcement. give me a break! i cant belive people are so stuck on entertainment that they would defend there right to make billions of dollars and really earn more than its worth,and while people are going hungry there out buying 200 thousand dollar cars there never going to drive .

Sir, you need an education if you think this country is not in crisis. The few who spend on entertainment, are not the ones who just lost their jobs, because the company where they worked for years closed it's doors. It's not the entertainment industry's fault when your own govenor wants to raise your taxes, and lessen unemployment benefits in a time when unemployment is staggering. I do blame the government for taking away the regulations that would have prevented banks and financial institutions from making the bad loans they made. Stated income loans, 100% value loans, with no veriifications needed. With making that money too easy to get, the housing industry ballooned, what was worth 400k two years ago is now selling for less than 200k. Recession we are in and depression here we come. Good for the movie makers and musicians that their industry is still making money, keeping people employed. Personal responsibility is one thing, but giving the banks, the free reign to make a loan to anyone person or corporation with undetermined credit worthiness, is the governments (politicians) fault for allowing deregulation of a system of checks that were originally in place to prevent exacdly what happened in first place.

First the news business in this country is a joke.Yes, they hype whatever their corporate tell them is good fr business, There is no real "news" on tv especially. But blaming the entertainment industry for making movies and providing us with escapism? That is lame.During the great depression Hollywood churned out movies and people shelled out to see them as a means of forgetting the woes of everyday life during that depression and it was considered a great service. Of course there was no TV then, but you see the point.And there is in fact a crisis,manufactured not in our heads but instead by conservative lawmakers over the past 26 years worshiping at the altars of Milton Friedman and Ronald Reagan, Deregulating everything as stated above. But a new day is upon us.

I usually can't afford to go to the movies anymore.. but this weekend my son invited his buddies over.. we bought snacks at the store (who can afford the theater prices at their snack counter?) and settled in for an afternoon movie, Madagascar II - Everyone has to find time to "escape" from the economy.. the war.. the unknown.. and laugh with your kids once in awhile.

And while pointing fingers, let's not forget the building industry, using lots of low-paid workers from south of the border, and racking up huge profits by turning out more new homes than could be bought without the banks lending money to people they knew weren't qualified for those large loans. Who is now paying the piper? Why the folks who lost the down payments and monthly payments on homes now owned by the banks, and you and I as we pick up the tab for the banks' losses.

Word Watcher wrote:

And while pointing fingers, let's not forget the building industry, using lots of low-paid workers from south of the border, and racking up huge profits by turning out more new homes than could be bought without the banks lending money to people they knew weren't qualified for those large loans. Who is now paying the piper? Why the folks who lost the down payments and monthly payments on homes now owned by the banks, and you and I as we pick up the tab for the banks' losses.

So true.. The hard working citizen trying to support their families, themselves - they are left holding the bill.

I enjoyed the story and the comments. Now I think I will relax and listen to the 1970's Supertramp album, "Crisis, What Crisis?"

I agree with all you have said, Common sense is the issue. But we need to tell all just what jerks thay are in DC. spending all our taxe money on there entertainment instead of paying off our deficient.

I have to agree with you on your idea that we spend too much on the entertainment industry. However, I find your comments on millions of people dying to be harsh and irresponsible. The entertainment industry has baffled me for some time. They are not lowering their prices on movies, music, etc. because they know that people will spend the money to escape the reality of the depressing economic/ job loss situation we are currently in. Then, to make matters worse, they flaunt their expensive toys and vacations all over the place. Celebrities love to ask us for money to send to whatever charity they have chosen to get a break on their taxes. They also love to take our money and send it to any other country but their own. They think it is noble of them to do so and to adopt children from every other country but their own. I am all for helping our neighbors but maybe help out the country that pays you in the first place!!!!!

You are callous and pompous. You make absolutely no sense out of so many unrelated points. You start with the words "economic crisis" which is presently, and in your text, banks and the stock market, then conclude that their bankruptcy is not a problem, that going to movies and enjoying a life at a higher level than a third-world country is the cause of the "Economic crisis." Why didn't you throw in that it also causes the death rate, and the suicide rate, and the Yankees not making it to the playoffs? Why stop at the 700 billion dollar banking crisis?
You quote numbers, of dubious integrity that the emtertainment spending is $25 billion a year- that's less than the cost of the Iraq war for 13 weeks! The total indebtedness of America's debt is 50 trilliion dollars, and my priorities are screwed up?
Then you launch into a death wish for the people of this nation with some sarcastic comment about thinning out the population like you're some Jonathan Swift. I would suggest you don't throw GOd's name into your hate-filled arrogant ranting, He will hear you.
You don't have to write "these things" and what you said is not common sense, it is distortion. I may be thankless at times, but you, Sir, are the jerk.

Trevor, back away slowly from the keyboard... call your doctor and tell him you are off your meds again and thin sit and hum quietly to yourself while rocking back and forth. The men in white coats will be there soon and you're going to feel all better in no time.
All kidding aside, you do need help. It isn't healthy to bottle up so much negaitvity and then spew it all over others. I wouldn't keep you on my journalism staff, or any staff, until you got some help.

Cannot argue with that. Personally, I have not spent a single cent on any of the things you mentioned, have not seen any of the movies mentioned or any of the types of entertainment. I have even taken it a step further. Many years ago I made a point of never bringing a child into this screwed up world. There are way too many people on earth as it is. Far too many people have kids for selfish reasons and as a result far too many kids end up suffering for their parents selfish desires. I worked for over 11 years with disabled kids that the parents decided to let the state take over the all the work of feeding, housing and education. My wife and I have adopted some of these "cast off" kids and we hope others will think about doing the same before "having one of their own"

Joshua Tree wrote:

Cannot argue with that. Personally, I have not spent a single cent on any of the things you mentioned, have not seen any of the movies mentioned or any of the types of entertainment. I have even taken it a step further. Many years ago I made a point of never bringing a child into this screwed up world. There are way too many people on earth as it is. Far too many people have kids for selfish reasons and as a result far too many kids end up suffering for their parents selfish desires. I worked for over 11 years with disabled kids that the parents decided to let the state take over the all the work of feeding, housing and education. My wife and I have adopted some of these "cast off" kids and we hope others will think about doing the same before "having one of their own"

What works for you may not work for everyone. Judge gently.

Joshua Tree wrote:

Cannot argue with that. Personally, I have not spent a single cent on any of the things you mentioned, have not seen any of the movies mentioned or any of the types of entertainment. I have even taken it a step further. Many years ago I made a point of never bringing a child into this screwed up world. There are way too many people on earth as it is. Far too many people have kids for selfish reasons and as a result far too many kids end up suffering for their parents selfish desires. I worked for over 11 years with disabled kids that the parents decided to let the state take over the all the work of feeding, housing and education. My wife and I have adopted some of these "cast off" kids and we hope others will think about doing the same before "having one of their own"

You are appreciated.

Wow what a narrow minded article.

You cannot generalize all the money spent on entertainment in our country and just somehow conclude its poor people who shouldnt spend the money that have done so.

Businesses and banks are failing, fundamental indicators of a financial crisis.

Do your homework before you go saying we don't have a problem.

Yes, millions of people live beyond their means, me included (and probably you), but most of the other claims in your article are pretty unfounded and simply insensible.