[e-mail]'s definitions

Fresno

A city of almost a half million residents in the Central Valley of California perhaps best described as a 'starter community' for people in small California towns who want a larger city, or people seeking a new life in California at a reasonable price. But dont expect much excitement around here, because life is dull beyond belief. Fresno epitomizes Cowtowns and relies on agriculture for its economic well being. Nor is it a good place to live for young, active adults because there are no jobs, nothing to do, crime is high, pollution problematic, and street gangs everywhere. Its only saving grace is the affordable cost of living compared to the rest of CA, but it isnt worth the enormous sense of boredom you get by living here. Fresno consistely ranks among the top US cities in violence, unemployment, pollution, car theft, gangs, teen pregnancy, alcoholism, welfare and drug abuse.

It isnt called FresNO for nothing.

by [e-mail] July 4, 2012

Great Recession

The worst financial crisis in the United States since the Great Depression and the current period we are in. It occurred during the first decade of the 21st century (core years lasted from 2007-2010) and was marked by rampant job losses, high unemployment, collapse of the real estate market, Wall Street losses, and the closing of numerous banks. The national unemployment rate was as high as 10% in 2010.

It was triggered by foreclosures and a collapse of the real estate market in Florida in 2007. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two large government subsidized mortgages lenders, later fell under heavy scrutiny by many members of Congress. It also created a national credit crunch that resulted in new government regulations that tightened lending standards and changed the rules for nearly every bank. All of a sudden, even people with nearly spotless credit found it hard to get a loan on anything. Wall Street stocks fell by nearly 50% in 2009.

The GR also changed the political clout in Washington when Republicans became the majority party in the House of Representatives, after the 2010 midterm elections sent many Democrats home. Things havent improved very much as the Great Recession is still ongoing and many Americans are still out of work. It will take many years for the housing market to recover, and probably longer for the jobs return to pre-recession levels.

The Great Recession has been hell!

by [e-mail] July 19, 2011

work ethic

An idea foreign to Americans these days which taught that you must work hard to earn what you desire. It is something Americans, sadly, do not have anymore because the government has provided entitlements without having to work for it.

People will not have a work ethic if they are not taught the concept as a child, especially nowadays when liberals in the government discourage them from doing so by providing silly entitlements.

by [e-mail] January 19, 2011

californicate

when Californians move to another state and take their politics with them, thus driving up the cost of living for everyone else, pollution, traffic, crime and hurting the overall quality of life and turning their new state into another California. Examples include Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Seattle.

Phoenix was doing just fine until Californians moved here and started to Californicate it.

by [e-mail] December 23, 2010

Massachusetts

A liberal bastion of 6.5 million people in the New England region of the northeast United States. Boston is the capital and largest city, and is a major cultural and educational center. Massachusetts is known for liberalism, high taxes, the Kennedys, the Berhsire Mountains and cold winters.

Massachusetts is a nice place to visit, especially in the fall, but I wouldnt want to live there.

by [e-mail] July 13, 2010

Oklahoma

Oklahoma is......OK. :) A state located in the southern plains of the U.S. Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city. Oklahoma is known for its open praries, ranches, cowboys, tornadoes, summer thunderstorms and big oil, and is a stronghold for evangelical Protestant Christianity. Oklahoma is a smaller version of Texas. Oklahoma has a lot of cowboys and ranchers who drive around in pickup trucks.

Oklahoma is.......OK, as its state motto suggests. Its not particularly exciting, but not dull either. The people are very hospitable and probably drive around in pickup trucks.

by [e-mail] July 13, 2010

Scottsdale

A city of superficial attitudes, inflated egos and very narrow minds. The pursuit of materialism, excess, and keeping up with the Jones, is the rule in this Phoenix suburb of 250,000 residents, where people brag about the money they have and show off their car to gain recognition. They think money and materialism, instead of people and experiences, are the most important things in life. It’s a place where people often ignore you if--God forbid--you look only average. You get weird looks from people at the Scottsdale Fashion Square if you are not wearing the latest trendy wardrobe. Known to many locals as Snobbsdale or Snottsdale, its swankiness makes it home to many of the Phoenix area’s most trendy establishments: Nordstrom, Barney’s New York, Gucci and Kenneth Cole. And only in Scottsdale can you find restaurants that serve $70 steaks. Although most Scottsdale people wont admit it, many are probably on the verge of foreclosure, due to excessive credit card debt and ridiculous spending that will soon turn them poor like the rest of us. Gosh, then they wont be able to frequent their numerous golf courses, country clubs and resorts. What’s a rich person gotta do?

Scottsdale thinks its so rich, but is actually only upper middle-class. Heck, it isnt even the richest city in Arizona or Maricopa County. So I have no idea why the people seem so snooty. Despite its perceived affluence, there is probably more loneliness and misery per-capita in Scottsdale than anywhere else.

Scottsdale is named after James Edward Scott and is also nicknamed the West's Most Western Town.

by [e-mail] November 20, 2009