[max_power29]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dooberheim', 'O')ne big hit I've taken is for a guy, frugality is poison to women. You guys with wives that share your vision of a simple, low dollar life are incredibly lucky. However, once I got it through my head that a woman couldn't do anything for me that my hands couldn't do just as well, I moved on.

[Revi]

Male deer spend a lot of their time and energy on fighting and putting out an impressive rack. The concept of frugality, preparing for the winter is not even in their minds. They have one thing in mind. It also happens to be hunting season, so if they don't risk getting shot they won't breed.
The same thing is in place with humans. Those who are not willing to put on an impressive display don't attract mates. A flashy car is the same as impressive plumage. Men feel that they have to keep the bling coming to attract and keep their mates nowadays. Then those mates are told that the way for their mate to show his love is to keep giving them trinkets. Diamonds, cars, money, etc.
We in the middle class feel that we have to play this game as well. We have to mortgage our future to keep our mates in the style to which they have become accustomed. We feel that if we live in style now we are somehow increasing the chances that our kids will live in high style too. Maybe that awesome car or house will start a new life for us, where we won't be in debt forever. Reality bites!

[Falconoffury]

Women instinctively want to build a nest in which to breed. Rich males are more attractive because they can afford more elaborate nests. It's why rich, ugly men are so often seen with beautiful women.

Unfortunately, instinct is not going to get us through the problems that the world is in. Our only hope is to push instinct aside and use thought.

[Specop_007]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Falconoffury', 'W')omen instinctively want to build a nest in which to breed. Rich males are more attractive because they can afford more elaborate nests. It's why rich, ugly men are so often seen with beautiful women.

Unfortunately, instinct is not going to get us through the problems that the world is in. Our only hope is to push instinct aside and use thought.

[holmes]

Well after driving yesterday and seeing the RV's, Rigs, Rigs with trailors with atvs, motobikes on the trailor and even in the bed of the rig, RV's towing SUV's, etc...
Im not feeling to compassionate for my fellow "middle class" citizens.
It would be nice if the biggest rig built (for personal use) was a b3000 or ranger type size.
I saw a monster rig with 4 atvs on the trailor and 2 in the bed of the truck (kid sized ones).
WTF.

[Revi]

We saw so many trucks with atvs and campers this weekend it seemed like the whole state of Massachusetts was moving up into the northwoods of Maine. Where do they get the money to buy that crap? It is hard to feel sorry for some of these people. They get bigger and bigger boats and toys. The fun is almost over now. This may be the last big summer for gas toys.

[Specop_007]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('holmes', 'W')ell after driving yesterday and seeing the RV's, Rigs, Rigs with trailors with atvs, motobikes on the trailor and even in the bed of the rig, RV's towing SUV's, etc...
Im not feeling to compassionate for my fellow "middle class" citizens.
It would be nice if the biggest rig built (for personal use) was a b3000 or ranger type size.
I saw a monster rig with 4 atvs on the trailor and 2 in the bed of the truck (kid sized ones).
WTF.

[max_power29]

GIVE ME DEBT OR GIVE ME DEATH! -The new patriots

[holmes]

I agree with you Spec. Im not anti SUV. Its just the EXTENT we have taken it. However Maybe its me but I saw less gluttony on the roads than past years. More vehicles towing less stuff. I hope so for the well being of us all.

[DesertBear2]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('holmes', ' ')RV's, Rigs, Rigs with trailors with atvs, motobikes on the trailor and even in the bed of the rig, RV's towing SUV's, etc...
Im not feeling to compassionate for my fellow "middle class" citizens.

[Chaparral]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('DesertBear2', '[')Most of the serious users in the Rocky Mt region would drive 2-wheel drive PUs and old Chevy boat-like passenger cars. I personally drove a 96hp Toyota PU. My boss drove a 4wd Subaru mini station-wagon. And that Toyota would do everything needed including including wading through 20 miles of 18 inch deep mud or negotiating North Plains blizzards at -10F.

[Ghog]

To me the answer is simple. The middle-class is living well beyond their means. Most, if not all of the 20% increase in 'non-optional' expenses has to be attributed to houses and cars. 'Sign-and-drive' and no-money-down, interest-only loans has made it too easy to buy what we 'think' we can afford.

I know someone who purchased a home with a $3000/mo mortgage as an interest-only, $1500/mo mortgage for two years because she couldn't afford the $3000/mo. Huh?!She changed realtors because the first one told her she "couldn't afford her dream home". I hope she gets alot out of her dream home in two years cause that's as long as she is going to have it. All she could say was "I wanted it".

We are told to spend to keep the economy going and that is just what we are doing. We don't even save anymore, not even the 20% down you used to need to buy a home.

[DesertBear2]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ghog', ' ')The middle-class is living well beyond their means. Most, if not all of the 20% increase in 'non-optional' expenses has to be attributed to houses and cars.

[Revi]

Or will it? Will we continue to service those McMansions when the grid is barely keeping up with the load it has? Will we all keep driving monster SUV's?

[holmes]

There will be brutal days ahead. Its a given. I totally agree on the rigs used by real humans. Real humans (non-humanoids) use rigs for utilitarian purposes. Most do not need a monster rig. Humans let their rig get dirty and scrathed. Its a tool after all!
The most sad part of it all is that we are wasting presious resources that need to be used to powerdown. Decentralized solar, earthships, windmills, hydro generators, etc..

It will jsut be too expensive to really change the infrastructure. Nuclear and all the the other utopias will just be too expensive as well. Only a few little spots will have implemented anything substancial. But there will be alot of TALKING and more talking. Lots of talk. The NOTHING Ponzi society. Its all nothing. and there will be nothing when its all done.

[Specop_007]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('holmes', ' ')Its all nothing. and there will be nothing when its all done.

[holmes]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('holmes', ' ')Its all nothing. and there will be nothing when its all done.

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('nero', ' ')The cost of entry into the profession has simply risen.

[Zardoz]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', '.').You're a pretty cheery guy in the morning arent you...

[Atlantean_Relic]

I say we Poers should raise an army for our self with a portion of these dienfranchised people. I always liked the title warlord!