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Title: Ashley’s Tragic Story: A Heartbreaking Example Of How The Economic Collapse Of America Is Destroying Lives
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URL Source: http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/ ... of-america-is-destroying-lives
Published: Feb 7, 2011
Author: Ashley, Economic Collapse Blog
Post Date: 2011-02-07 15:03:55 by Capitalist Eric
Keywords: None
Views: 65133
Comments: 92
What you are about to read is perhaps the most heartbreaking story that I have ever come across. It is so tragic that I am not even quite sure how to introduce it. Some time ago, a reader named Ashley sent me an email that described the nightmare that she has been living through over the past year. Ashley's email was very different from the vast majority of emails I usually receive, and I wrote her back right away and asked her some questions. One of the most important questions I asked was whether or not she really wanted me to share her story with the public. Privacy is such a precious thing, and I wanted her to understand that if I shared her story that thousands upon thousands of people would end up seeing it. After considering what I had to say, Ashley said that she was 100% sure that I should share her story because she felt that it could really help some people. Sometimes it can be really easy to get lost in the economic numbers and to forget that this economy is really and truly destroying lives. The truth is that there are millions of Americans out there today that are hurting just like Ashley is. Her story is more dramatic than most, but that doesn't mean that we all don't know someone that could use our help. We have lost our sense of community in America, and thousands upon thousands of people like Ashley are falling through the cracks. I cannot even imagine going through the things that Ashley has had to go through over the past year. If you think about it, please say a prayer for her. Also, let this story be an inspiration to all of us to stop being so cold-hearted and to help out those in need that are all around us. The following is Ashley's story as told in her own words.... ***** Dear Michael, My name is Ashley. I live in Upstate New York I have been reading your Economic Collapse blog for the past year. Everything that you have said is true. Our economy is dying, and the economic collapse has destroyed the lives of many, many people. I should know. I am one of them. I lost my house, my car, my feet and my father, all in just seven months. My father and I had a great life together. He raised me as a single parent. My mother died while giving birth to me. So it was just him and me as I was growing up, and things were wonderful for us, but then everything changed. In September of 2009, my father was laid off from his job after 26 years. He tried so hard to find another job, but he just couldn't get one. The economy was too horrible. As a result of the loss of income, he was unable to continue making the mortgage and car payments. Our car was repossessed, and not long after that, the bank foreclosed on us and we lost our house. We moved into a low rent, hole in the wall apartment and lived off of his savings and his unemployment benefits for the next few months. Finally, in December of 2009, I was lucky enough to get a part time job at a pizza place. It was a really long walk from our apartment, but we needed the money badly. So I took the job. By mid winter, my old snow boots, which had successfully lasted me through several terrible winters, were beginning to rapidly deteriorate. They had holes all over them and they were splitting at the seams. My feet were soaked and freezing all day long. At that point, we were lucky to have food on the table. We had to watch every penny. We couldn't afford to get me new boots. So I had to make do with the ones I had. My father worked feverishly to try and repair them. He spent hours supergluing them duct taping them. In addition to that, I doubled up on socks and wore plastic bags inside my boots, but nothing did any good. My feet still got drenched. One morning, in mid February of 2010, I took the last walk I would ever take on my own two feet. There was a huge blizzard raging outside, but we couldn't afford to lose a day's worth of pay. So I ventured out into the blizzard and made the long trudge to work anyway. As usual, my feet were drenched and freezing within minutes of leaving my apartment, but there was no choice but to just stick it out. So I kept going. I finally arrived at work to find the place closed. Nobody had called to tell me. There was nothing to do but turn around and make the long trudge back home. By the time I got home, I knew that something was seriously wrong with my feet. They felt horrible. My father helped me out of my drenched boots and socks and we discovered that my feet were all purple and swollen. They were severely frostbitten. My father was terrified to take me to the emergency room because that would have bankrupted us. So he did everything he could to try and rewarm my feet at home. He spent the next several days giving me hot chocolate, bundling my feet up in blankets, putting my feet on his stomach, etc. But nothing did any good. My feet didn't get any better. They just kept getting worse. They eventually turned black and began to ooze. At that point, my father broke down and called a car service to take us to the hospital. The doctors told us that, given the extent of the damage, they would not able to save my feet. The frostbite had progressed too far. I ended up having both of my feet amputated. For the next whole month, my father didn't do anything but sob. He sobbed himself to sleep every night. He blamed himself for me losing my feet. I rolled myself into his room on my wheelchair every night and wrapped my arms around him as tight as I could. I told him that it wasn't his fault and that I didn't blame him for anything. I told him he was the best father any girl could ever have and that I wouldn't trade him for anything. I think it helped a little in the moment, but as time went on, he just fell further and further into depression. On the morning of March 15th, 2010, I was awakened by a knock on the door from a police officer. He told me that my father was dead. I told the officer that was ridiculous and that there had been a mistake, but he insisted that my father was dead and that I should come with him. I went racing into my father's room as fast as my wheelchair could carry me, but he was gone. There was a note on his bed that he had left for me. In the note, he told me that he loved me dearly. He loved me more than anything, but that he had failed me. He told me that I would be better off without him. At that moment, my heart stopped as I began to realize what must have happened. Horrified, I made my way back to the police officer, and he told me that my father had jumped out the window of our apartment in the middle of the night. I went into shock and begged the police officer to let me see him, but he insisted that I wouldn't want to see him that way. I started sobbing so hard that the police ended up having to take me to the hospital. I've cried myself to sleep every night since. I'll never understand how my father could have thought that I'd be better off without him. If only he had known how much I needed him. If it wasn't for my extremely kind hearted and caring neighbor, I don't know where I would be right now. She's such a sweet lady. After I lost my father, she took me in and took care of me as though I were her own family. She has gradually helped nurse me back to health, both physically and mentally. This is probably going to sound really crazy, but throughout this past year, you have been one of my heroes, Michael. As devastating as the truth of your words may be, it is refreshing that somebody has the good sense and the good judgement to come forward and say them. All the government and the media do is lie to us, every single day. I only wish more people would listen to you and heed your warnings. Feel free to post my story on your blog if you would like. You have my permission to do so. I just ask that you not reveal my full name and my email address. Just use my first name. Perhaps my story will serve some purpose in the way of helping to wake some of these idiots up and getting them to realize that this nightmare is real. Best Regards, Ashley
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#52. To: Ferret Mike (#50)
Mike you shouldn't talk about people. I have seen your tie died picture that you used to sport at 4um.
Your post speaks more of your moral bankruptcy than anything else. There is never an excuse for a post like yours'.
What's wrong with it, too accurate a depiction of your homeboys?
If you can't see what I'm talking about, nothing I say will help you.
How do you feel about the increase in suicide rates in our servicemen? We now have more people kill themselves than die in combat. Is this a 'moral failure' of those who put their lives on the line for you, me and everyone else? I'm curious. It sounds like you have no idea what suicide is about, or has empathy for anyone but yourself.
It's a moral failure of congress and the CIC's who sent them into a phony war. Those who voted them into office share the blame.
That was a better answer than the cold sneering scoff you made concerning this grieved and stressed parent who died. I volunteer at a free clinic (White Bird) in Eugene, OR and as a volunteer front desk person has had training about the suicide issue. I didn't anger at your lack of savvy and entropy. It just made me sad for you.
I'd call you a very small person, Mammy
Desperate for attention? lmaoay.....
In their stoned stupor they imagined that they were just fabulous, because they tolerated the diversity of Ashley's toes sticking out of her boots in the snow. During the Great Depression my mother wore shoes in the snow with cardboard jammed in the soles to plug up the holes. Her neighbors didn't come through with a new pair of shoes for her either because they and their shoes were in the same condition. Only Republicans and their stooges believe government buys shoes for the undeserving poor and everyone gets the same medical care.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
Well, I can always change my shirt, or cut my hair, but you will always be stuck with that "Ozzy Ozborne wuz here" tattoo he gave you before slipping out of the motel room on your right butt cheek. It's all relative.
ROFLMAO... Things have been mighty slow since they closed your branch of the USPS, eh?
Another good one from that post: lol. You just know he saw that in a movie.
It was in the trailer for Gran Torino.
I bet. And every other Clint movie. Except he probably says 'git'. Hey, Erica, are you gonna pull those pistols or whistle Dixie?
Excellent observations.
Socialist ass-hats think "There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more." And yes, that IS from LF's answer to Ben Bernanke, go65, leading disfunctional and delusional socialist of the forum. "Algren: You want me to kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos, I'll kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos... Rebs, or Sioux, or Cheyenne... For 500 bucks a month I'll kill whoever you want. But keep one thing in mind: I'd happily kill you for free." Captain Algren, "The Last Samurai"
You'll never reach that point, because you lack the one thing that matters: courage.
Socialist ass-hats think "There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more." And yes, that IS from LF's answer to Ben Bernanke, go65, leading disfunctional and delusional socialist of the forum. "Algren: You want me to kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos, I'll kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos... Rebs, or Sioux, or Cheyenne... For 500 bucks a month I'll kill whoever you want. But keep one thing in mind: I'd happily kill you for free." Captain Algren, "The Last Samurai"
Wrong MISTER! One thing I have is C o u r a g e.
And B r a v e r y!
Indeed. It is the blithering fools who will end up dead, because they're too friggin' stupid to understand what's going on around them. But of course, that's why they prefer the propaganda, then to face reality. Consider the following quote, by the most effective user of this tactic: "All propaganda has to be popular and has to accommodate itself to the comprehension of the least intelligent of those whom it seeks to reach." The idiotic socialists of this forum, fit nicely into that bracket, don't you think? Agreed. Another quote: "Propaganda does not deceive people; it merely helps them to deceive themselves." These fools willingly swallow the propaganda, because it's easier to live a lie, then to face the truth. Those same fools will also live on credit- cards, lease a luxo-gargantula car, live in a McMansion that the bought on an ARM, and live paycheck-to-paycheck. Their entire lives are a lie, because they own nothing. In one way, I look forward to what's coming... because the government, after a painful time, will no longer be able to function, and will ultimately collapse under its own weight. And people will once again learn to be independant, and self-reliance. But at that point, people will once again learn the harshest lessons of life, regarding self responsibility. Or, as my wife said (she lived through the collapse of the USSR), "the only free cheese is in the trap." Of course, the learning-curve for the morons who disparage those who speak the truth will be very harsh. Those that get tough, and learn that the government will never help them, will be the ones that survive... But there will also be terrible consequences, for many who don't deserve them; the young and the very old will suffer terribly, because they won't understand what's happening, and won't be able to adapt in time... Many of them will die, through absolutely no fault of their own. Unlike our MSM who considers their favorite pick not making the cut on American Idol "a tragedy," what's coming truly will be tragic... The story about this poor girl is tragic... But trust me, there will be more, and many of them will be far worse... The people of our country don't know what's coming, and how bad it's really going to get... So they display the "normalcy bias," and pretend all will be well with the world. The dollar will be unsurreptitiously dumped, as the worlds' reserve currency... and quite soon. And when that happens, you can expect the price of everything to go up 3-4 times, almost overnight. And that's when the tragedy becomes massive, in scale... The photo that keeps coming into my head, is a picture taken during the Great Depression... It is a photo of a dead woman laying naked on the side of the street... She's on her back, with her feet toward the camera, and her legs are splayed out... and some man in a formal suit and top-hat is literally stepping over the body, as if he were stepping over a piece of wood... How callous must one be, to not be moved by such a terrible thing? How BAD must it have been, for one to push aside even the smallest vestige of compassion for the poor woman...? And the worst part is, it will be far worse than the Great Depression, in my opinion... A situation as we now face, hasn't existed in 300 years... If you want an idea of where we're headed, I'd suggest looking at the results of the collapse of the USSR, or Argentina (look up the blogger "Ferfal," for his detailed description of life in Argentina, under hyper-inflation).
Socialist ass-hats think "There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more." And yes, that IS from LF's answer to Ben Bernanke, go65, leading disfunctional and delusional socialist of the forum. "Algren: You want me to kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos, I'll kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos... Rebs, or Sioux, or Cheyenne... For 500 bucks a month I'll kill whoever you want. But keep one thing in mind: I'd happily kill you for free." Captain Algren, "The Last Samurai"
Your demonstration of courage is using a phony name. 'Nuff said.
Socialist ass-hats think "There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more." And yes, that IS from LF's answer to Ben Bernanke, go65, leading disfunctional and delusional socialist of the forum. "Algren: You want me to kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos, I'll kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos... Rebs, or Sioux, or Cheyenne... For 500 bucks a month I'll kill whoever you want. But keep one thing in mind: I'd happily kill you for free." Captain Algren, "The Last Samurai"
Thanks for once again confirming that racism comes from the left.
Socialist ass-hats think "There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more." And yes, that IS from LF's answer to Ben Bernanke, go65, leading disfunctional and delusional socialist of the forum. "Algren: You want me to kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos, I'll kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos... Rebs, or Sioux, or Cheyenne... For 500 bucks a month I'll kill whoever you want. But keep one thing in mind: I'd happily kill you for free." Captain Algren, "The Last Samurai"
oh jeez, another keyboard commando running off at the mouth, when the government shuts down where do you think your next unemployment is gonna come from? I just love assclowns with their tough guy talk. If the crap ever hits the fan, erica will be the first to roll over like the little bitch he is.
Whose decision was it to name you "Capitalist"? Mom's or your "Uncle's"?
The post collapse of the USSR was led by economists promoting privatization and a free market economy. We have learned about the importance of private property and the rule of law as a basis for economic freedom. Just after the Berlin Wall fell and the Soviet Union collapsed, I used to be asked a lot: "What do these ex-communist states have to do in order to become market economies?" And I used to say: "You can describe that in three words: privatize, privatize, privatize." But, I was wrong. That wasn't enough. The example of Russia shows that. Russia privatized but in a way that created private monopolies-private centralized economic controls that replaced government's centralized controls. It turns out that the rule of law is probably more basic than privatization. Milton Freidman
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
Actually it was the system that was named after Eric.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
His real name is "Dewey Decimal"?
Double D to his friends.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
HA>>> You toppped my topper...
Ostensibly. However, I was there, right after the collapse, and many times since. It's really something, to walk down the streets of Bucharest, looking at the bullet-holes in the walls, and see the memorials of the kids that were shot or run over by tanks... The reality- which wasn't covered by the MSM propaganda that you clearly soaked up- was that the Communists were still in power, and remain so to this day. WHY? Just look at the quote you posted by Friedman. Without an effective legal system, where everyone is protected equally, the system doesn't change. After the fall of the USSR, the political elites stayed where they were, and basically manipulated the system to become financial elites. "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss," is the expression... But hey, you DO talk a lot. Unfortunately, your words indicate you have no nothing that isn't spoon-fed to you by the TV talking heads. You pick up a quote that's completely true, and post it to prove your point... But because you can't adequately connect the dots, you fail to grasp the real significance, and end up looking the fool (again). You're a brain-washed moron, who simply consumes the daily pap, from the idiot- box. Which means you don't know shit.
Socialist ass-hats think "There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more." And yes, that IS from LF's answer to Ben Bernanke, go65, leading disfunctional and delusional socialist of the forum. "Algren: You want me to kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos, I'll kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos... Rebs, or Sioux, or Cheyenne... For 500 bucks a month I'll kill whoever you want. But keep one thing in mind: I'd happily kill you for free." Captain Algren, "The Last Samurai"
Not like you.
that must have been when you were homeless right erica.
That's right.
Socialist ass-hats think "There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more." And yes, that IS from LF's answer to Ben Bernanke, go65, leading disfunctional and delusional socialist of the forum. "Algren: You want me to kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos, I'll kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos... Rebs, or Sioux, or Cheyenne... For 500 bucks a month I'll kill whoever you want. But keep one thing in mind: I'd happily kill you for free." Captain Algren, "The Last Samurai"
This one line tells you that the entire story is propaganda. The emergency room doesn't turn you down. In spite of Obama's complete hostility to doctors, most doctors spend a lot of time working for free to help people in need. The lunatic left can take a big lick of my salty ass and swallow hard on this nonsense.
Your point is correct. You know that, I know that... the illegal-alien parasites know this REALLY well... But I'd wager there's a lot of normal, hard-working people, that would never consider this aspect. I don't believe this to be a propaganda piece. JMO.
Socialist ass-hats think "There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more." And yes, that IS from LF's answer to Ben Bernanke, go65, leading disfunctional and delusional socialist of the forum. "Algren: You want me to kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos, I'll kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos... Rebs, or Sioux, or Cheyenne... For 500 bucks a month I'll kill whoever you want. But keep one thing in mind: I'd happily kill you for free." Captain Algren, "The Last Samurai"
Kind of like Forest Gump, but the dark side. You're a brain-washed moron, who simply consumes the daily pap, from the idiot- box. Which means you don't know shit. I do too know shit!
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
This one line tells you that the entire story is propaganda. The emergency room doesn't turn you down. The ER will not turn you down, however they will bill you. If you don't and/or can't pay your bill they will use the legal system to come after you for everything you've got - that's where the "bankrupt" part comes in. People who don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of use the ER because they have nothing to loose - them and those who have insurance of course.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
I saw U on the ROAD today. U were lukin SO fine, Ur face SO divine, Ur walk SO perfect. My HEART started singing a Sweet Song: WHO LET THE DOGS OUT!
Abu is a serious POS, that's for sure. BTW, nicely done. I've never really gotten into font manipulation- if I need to run that fancy, I'll just pull up software to write all of it for me. ;)
Socialist ass-hats think "There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more." And yes, that IS from LF's answer to Ben Bernanke, go65, leading disfunctional and delusional socialist of the forum. "You want me to kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos, I'll kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos, Rebs, or Sioux, or Cheyenne... For 500 bucks a month I'll kill whoever you want. But keep one thing in mind: I'd happily kill you for free." Algren, "The Last Samurai" Amazing. You're STILL here? Socialist ass-hats think "There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more." And yes, that IS from LF's answer to Ben Bernanke, go65, leading disfunctional and delusional socialist of the forum. "You want me to kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos, I'll kill THE ENEMIES of Jappos, Rebs, or Sioux, or Cheyenne... For 500 bucks a month I'll kill whoever you want. But keep one thing in mind: I'd happily kill you for free." Algren, "The Last Samurai"
#53. To: hondo68 (#51)
#54. To: Ferret Mike (#53)
There is never an excuse for a post like yours'.
#55. To: hondo68 (#54)
#56. To: hondo68 (#54)
#57. To: Ferret Mike (#56)
Is this a 'moral failure' of those who put their lives on the line for you, me and everyone else?
#58. To: hondo68 (#57)
#59. To: Murron (#43)
know I'm a tiny person
#60. To: All (#59)
know I'm a tiny person
#61. To: Skip Intro (#60)
I'd call you a very small person, Mammy
#62. To: hondo68 (#51)
All her socialist neighbors figured that they had done their duty by voting for communist politicians, and that the state would take care of everything.
#63. To: A K A Stone (#52)
"Mike you shouldn't talk about people. I have seen your tie died picture that you used to sport at 4um."
#64. To: Capitalist Eric (#15)
Either way, I don't give a shit. Stand or fall, your choice.
#65. To: war (#64)
A man gets to a point, where he's had "enough."
#66. To: Abu el Banat (#65)
lol. You just know he saw that in a movie.
#67. To: war (#66)
#68. To: hondo68 (#51)
#69. To: Abu el Banat (#65)
#70. To: Capitalist Eric (#69)
And HTML skillz.
#71. To: Abu el Banat (#70)
#72. To: Murron (#23)
Well said Eric, somehow you spoke what was in my mind and heart too, there comes a time when we either stand our ground, or give up and give in, I would rather be dead than give in to these blithering, robotic fools who cannot, or will not think for themselves, but continue to spew what they've been programed to say.
-- Adolf Hitler -- These fools have no convictions to stand by, therefore, they stand for nothing, and fall for anything. They would rather fight and quarrl with their fellow man, than face the tryrant who takes everything they own, guts and perserverance is foreign to them. jmho~
-- Eric Hoffer --
#73. To: Abu el Banat (#70)
#74. To: Skip Intro (#26)
Murron is a despicable, hate-filled old woman who just can't stand the idea that "one of THEM" is now president.
#75. To: Capitalist Eric (#72)
#76. To: Capitalist Eric (#73)
Your demonstration of courage is using a phony name.
#77. To: Capitalist Eric (#72)
If you want an idea of where we're headed, I'd suggest looking at the results of the collapse of the USSR...
#78. To: war (#76)
Whose decision was it to name you "Capitalist"? Mom's or your "Uncle's"?
#79. To: lucysmom (#78)
#80. To: war (#79)
#81. To: lucysmom (#80)
#82. To: lucysmom (#77)
(Edited)
The post collapse of the USSR was led by economists promoting privatization and a free market economy.
#83. To: Capitalist Eric (#82)
But hey, you DO talk a lot. Unfortunately, your words indicate you have no nothing that isn't spoon-fed to you
#84. To: Capitalist Eric (#82)
However, I was there, right after the collapse, and many times since.
#85. To: Abu el Banat (#83)
#86. To: Capitalist Eric (#0)
(Edited)
My father was terrified to take me to the emergency room because that would have bankrupted us.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#87. To: jwpegler (#86)
The emergency room doesn't turn you down. In spite of Obama's complete hostility to doctors, most doctors spend a lot of time working for free to help people in need.
#88. To: Capitalist Eric (#82)
However, I was there...
#89. To: jwpegler (#86)
My father was terrified to take me to the emergency room because that would have bankrupted us.
#90. To: Abu el Banat, Capitalist Eric (#70)
And HTML skillz.
#91. To: Murron (#90)
#92. To: calcon (#75)
oh jeez, another keyboard commando running off at the mouth, when the government shuts down where do you think your next unemployment is gonna come from?
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