March 7, 2008

StreetTalk by Carol Rosen

Last week President Bush told a news conference that he does not think the country is in a recession. Do you agree?
Asked at the Evergreen Marketplace, at the corner of San Felipe and Yerba Buena Roads.

“We’re not in a recession yet, but it’s pretty much inevitable and right around the corner.”

Casey Lerner, 31
Palo Alto
Academics manager, Score! Academic Center


“I do not agree with President Bush. We are in a recession and I think that you can tell by the housing market that is down. I do charity auctions and giving is down this year. I can also tell by my own pocketbook.”

Paula Thomas, 37
Evergreen
Yard Duty at Silver Oak School


“No, because there is a recession if we look at several factors including the cost of living increase with salaries not keeping pace; gasoline prices [political thievery] and food prices. People are not hiring, they are laying off employees and cutting hours. People are not buying as much either. So yes, I think the recession has already started.”

Sid Ramirez, 64
Fresno
California Lottery


“No, I don’t agree with President Bush because the economy is bad from what I’ve observed, seen and heard.”

Catelynn Clarkson, 17
Evergreen
Evergreen College student


“No, I don’t entirely agree with him from what I’ve seen, such as things like the housing market and no relief in rising prices and no growth in the economy.”

Kim Wall, 43
Downtown San Jose
Project Management


“No, I don’t agree. For one thing, the housing market [with falling prices and foreclosures] tells us something. It seems like with gas prices going through the roof and the number of foreclosures rising that President Bush is in denial.”

Lisa Aggarwal, 42
Silver Creek
Homemaker


“No, I don’t agree. Because you can see people suffering from losing their homes and pulling their kids out of private schools and, in general, changing the way they live. People don’t have what they used to have financially. They now lack the financial freedom to enjoy themselves, and most of these people thought they were recession-proof.”

Anna Harvey, 37
Evergreen
Homemaker


“No, I don’t agree, because the country is in a bad financial situation. We are spending way too much on this war.”

Shirley Bellavance, 71
Evergreen
Campbell School District