A Financial Health Quiz

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If you think Republicans are the only ones who put us in this mess. You should go back into our history and see all the democratic presidents who have used this countries social security money or other savings the country has had to make it better for that moment. Overall the elected officials have let us down while fatting their pockets at our expense. I would vote for any person who had a plan and would execute to change our government and how much money it wastes.

Jorge of CA 7:50PM August 06, 2008

I found your scenario with the fictional character "Bonqueesha" interesting. Did you intentionally make it sound like an African American name?
That aside, it doesn't matter which party's candidate in office or where big business sends the jobs.
What matters is personal responsibility. The only thing that truly needs financing is a home, and all others, including a car, can be paid for cash, if money is saved and you don't have to have everything new. Despite the poor economy, people continue to live beyond their means.

Kelly of IL 10:23AM July 16, 2008

...the invasion of Iraq. This has caused the financial ruin of many. The deficit is huge. The rich are much richer. This was all a plan that was made before 9/11 and I'm one of those who believes that the highest level officials planned 9/11. There was no airplane debris anywhere around the pentagon...it was hit by a missle.

of ME 9:59AM May 22, 2008

These whiners evidently have never heard of SACRIFCING TODAY FOR THE FUTURE which the successful do.

Gigi of NC 9:59AM March 07, 2008

I heard it described that our economy is now the result of a"Consumer Fueled Recession"! I gather that the only way the economy thrives is for people to buy stuff they don't need with money they don't have (aka: Credit Cards) and then will the economy will improve??????? This is just another way the Government 'shifts' the blame for spending and sending money everywhere else but the US. This statement futher drive home to me the importance of staying out of debt and saving and investing. If this "Consumer Fueled Recession" is caused by the consumer, it is only another form of that divides the have and the have nots!!! I bet the "Rich" pay their cards off each month!!!!!!!!

Marge TEmple of NE 9:17AM March 03, 2008

It would make sense to me to not charge corporations such a high corporate tax - isn't that one of the reasons why they go to other countries? The way I see it - the economy has lots of problems due to overspending -I think that's called "pork-barrel" when the gov't. does it. It's called recession when the public does it, but we don't hear what's being done to stop pork-barrel do we?

Debbie of TN 5:28PM February 07, 2008

There is a CURE for American jobs leaving our soil and Americans out of work. I think ALL companies that move overseas (our just across the border) should be taxed at 50-75% of their profits. Assuming the other location would also tax them,, they would think twice about leaving America.

Terri of CA 7:39PM February 06, 2008

There is a CURE for American jobs leaving our soil and Americans out of work. I think ALL companies that move overseas (our just across the border) should be taxed at 50-75% of their profits. Assuming the other location would also tax them,, they would think twice about leaving America.

Terri of CA 6:55PM February 06, 2008

To D. Mitchell of Texas - I love your idea. If letting the government hold your money for you enables you to save more, then why not do it.

Kimberly Palmer of 11:19AM February 06, 2008

I agree with some of both sides. We are, ultimately, responsible for our own actions. We do not NEED Ipods, Coach handbags, $30,000 cars, etcetera; we WANT them. Also, a lot of jobs are being sent overseas, and not just menial labor. For example, I've called my credit cards, and can tell that the person on the phone isn't in the U.S. (I usually ask where they are and how the weather is - people usually can't come up with a quick answer for both if they're overseas). The reason CSRs are being outsourced isn't that Americans don't want the job; it's that companies don't wish to pay a livable wage for them.
What I do, like a person said earlier, is hide my money. I'm fortunate enough to work a job that offers a deferred compensation program. If I get a raise, I raise my contribution. Also, I try to save $.20 on the dollar per paycheck. And, when I pay off something, like my car, I try to live as if I still have the note.
That's what works for me. At the end of it all, each individual has to find his own way to help himself. Maybe people should be taught a little about fiduciary responsiblity in high school or even sooner - couldn't hurt.

Mel of CA 3:10PM February 05, 2008