Six Signs that the US is Headed into a Recession

Although our dear president assures us that we are not headed into a recession, I must beg to differ. Am I the only one who sees all this?

Wealthy people are scrambling for cash!

The owners of the luxurious million-dollar Ashland Springs Hotel are now offering bird prints on ebay in their new ebay based storefront! They are really just the latest example of the insanely wealthy who have to purge their possessions in order to help pay their bills. Those of us at the bottom had to do this years ago, so we know what it looks like when we see it.

Eco-friendly cars mask the truth that we can't afford gas!

Eco-friendly cars are "in" at least partly because gas prices are outrageous. In affluent Ashland, Oregon there are now more Toyota Prius Hybrids than Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV). Soccer Mom's are becoming eco-mom's by default. Every day I see commercials announcing that Cars Below Wholesale has several nearly new Hummers. People not only can't afford to make payments on them, but who can afford the gas to keep them on the road? When someone recently told President Bush that gas was almost $4 a gallon in some places he just looked confused and said that although he found that interesting, he didn't know how much it cost. Of course not, he isn't paying for it and I would bet he couldn't tell you how much a gallon of milk is or the price of a loaf of bread either.

Is this optimism or desperation?

Joseph Winans furniture in Medford Oregon has enjoyed some prime downtown real estate with two furniture stores that face each other on Main Street. Owner Joe Pedrojetti announced that one is for sale (1.1 Million) because he loves the downtown area so much that he wants to share it with another business and give someone else an opportunity. Is that a Fox News spin or what?

Downtown USA looks like a ghost town!

We often go for walks downtown and we comment that part of our affluent community looks like a ghost town with all of the businesses that have closed in recent months. Instead of quickly drawing new businesses in, the buildings are still empty. Sadly, I see (and hear) that this happening in many cities all across the USA.

Did you get a pink slip too?

Few jobs seem to be safe from lay off's as businesses continue to fold. Those who are laid off join the ranks of the unemployed and underemployed as we struggle to make ends meet. We know the price of a gallon of gas, a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread and we worry if we will have enough money to pay for it.

Find a buyer and get a free Mercedes Benz!

Taking freebies to a whole new level, a Portland home seller offered a free Mercedes Benz to the buyer's agent who could get a buyer to pay the asking price and close by a specified day. I suspect they did not want to own one of many mansions that are stagnating, waiting for new owners who can't afford them.

How bad will things get before Bush admits that things are bad?