Good Morning America: Completely Out of Touch with Real Americans

A segment aired by Robin Givens on Good Morning America in an effort to draw attention to the suffering of those who are finding their household income dramatically reduced by layoffs is once again missing the mark. The family that was interviewed showcased the fact that the Father had recently been laid off and their household income had been reduced by 50%.

Interestingly that meant for this Dallas family their household income dropped from $180,000 a year to a paltry $90,000 a year. Because of this great hardship they were forced to remove their kids from an upscale private school and would have to reduce their weekly eating out. Going from 3-4 times a week, which they claim was necessitated by their busy schedules, to only occasionally as now Dad is around more.

What is wrong with this picture? Why spotlight the occasional upper crust over consumer, who by the way is carrying $20,000 in credit card debt. Who when leading a life of excess and lack of planning has resulted in they're trading in Filet Mignon for New York Strip Steak.

It's time to realize that the Real Americans who are suffering have dropped from Hamburger to Clear Broth. Later in the article they stated that the median household income in this country is $48,000. Take a look at that figure and realize what it really means. At least Half of the Households are Making Less Then $48,000, and in many cases it requires two or more people working full time to reach that $48,000 amount.

Many elderly are living in Government subsidized apartments with Social Security as their primary income. With payments of $10,000 a year or less, they still find ways to get by.

Low income family's would be thrilled to make any where near that median income amount, yet they survive and often thrive on what they have. It's all a matter of prioritizing and living within your means.

Planning for a unreliable future, watching closely where your money is spent, and approaching life with the attitude of "Do I really need this, and Do I really need it right now?"

Why is the news media hung up on the rich becoming less rich. Why not showcase those who have adapted and are surviving comfortably through the down turn in the economy. The Government's Spend their way out of trouble attitude, combined with the Bailout money going in many instances to such things as multi-million dollar bonuses for banking executives, the odds of life improving in the near future for Real Americans is almost non-existent.

It's time to bring attention to those who have found a way to get through this mess. We don't really care who had to park their Cadillac or lost their 7,000 sq ft mansion. We want to find ways to adapt our lifestyle to meet the day to day basic needs of life.

Articles on growing vegetables, canning, or small scale animal husbandry. Even in suburbia activities like gardening and keeping chickens can mean quality meals on the dinner table every evening. Being without money doesn't mean you must starve.

It's time for the news media to concentrate on teaching the American Public how to be self sustaining and to live within their means, no matter how meager those means are.