The Great Fall of Arizona

Begging....

2010-08-20T23:36:00.000-07:00

In the last Depression, people moved to find work, worked for food, and rarely begged. In the Great Depression 2.0 people have such a sense of entitlement that they beg for things they need and expect handouts and never offer compensation or too work. Only please someone fix my problems for me. A public bus pass is not good enough for one poster, I offered her one. Whats coming of this world?

Our local Craigslist has become grounds for sad stories and begging for help......

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/com/1910100300.html

HELLO MY NAME IS N*****
I HAVE ONE DAUGHTER NOT EMPLOYED BECAUSE IM GOINGTO SCHOOL FULLTIME
I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION OR NO RELATIVES IN THIS CITY
I DONT DRINK DONT SMOKE OR USE ANY TYPE OF DRUGS
I LOTS MY PARENTS RECENTLY BUT IM A 21 YR OLD FEMALE
IN NED OF HELP PAYING MY RENT I HAVE STUFF TO TRADE OR CRAFTS I MAKE FOR TRADE
DO YOU KNOW OF ANY EMERGENCY PROGRAMS? OR PROGRAMS WHO CAN HELP
I OWE 702.00 TO HELPPAY MY RENT =[I WAS HOMELESS BEFORE BUT GOT OUT OF THAT PATH
I REALLY AM DESPARATE OBVIOSLY OR I WOULDNT HAVE POSTED THIS AD
EMAIL AT *********

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/com/1909993753.html

I have a very dear friend that is going to be due in December with her first baby girl. She's a Teen Mom staying on track and trying to finish school and get her high school diploma....

She already has a crib,breast pump and a stroller in which she has recevied from her parenting class...

***She will take what you can help her out with..But these are some of the basic things***

She's in NEED of:

*bottles*

*clothes*

*blankets/burp clothes*

*meduim maternity clothes*

*baby swing*

*boppy pillow*

*baby bath tub*

*baby sleeper* (That helps prevent sids)

****I'am also wanting to throw her a suprise baby shower so if u have any babyshower materials left over and or do not need PLEASE let me know****
**((BabyShower is in October))**

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/com/1908095894.html

I am a intelligent man that is good with my hands and I am 50 years of age and that last part seems to be the problem. All my life I have great jobs and have done well with them, but now with the economy and my age it just ain't happening. I have always been the best at what ever job I get, like a few years ago I got a job building and upholstering headboards. I never did anything like that in my life, but by the end of the year I was better than those who were doing it for forty years, that's the kind of guy I am. So how about cutting me some slack and give me a job, I am a Vet. so how about it. Thank you my name is Mike

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/wan/1910659010.html
single mom needing help with crib and baby clothes, please help:) (north phoenix)
Date: 2010-08-20, 10:52PM MST
Reply to: sale-nv8ks-1910659010@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

I am a single mom just moving to start a new life in phoenix az. I am leaving most of my sons items behind for an easy move and low funds. I would appreciate any low priced or free items if possible. Am needing a crib and summer clothes for an 10 month old boy. We only have cold clothes due to us moving from cold state, would appreciate any help...thanks again.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pet/1908851716.html
I am a cat resque advicate. I have my own cats from 20 years down and feed strays as part of vol. work. I have lost my income , unemployment, and am struggling with financial problems. I am a huge advocate of spay and neauter and use the low income county programs to help with the cat population. I have, at this time, no income of any kind until I become employed full time as is my goal. I am in desperate need of help with food for the animals and any help with rent for September. Becoming homeless is not an option as this will harm the cats mentally as well as physically. In otherwords, living in a van with them wont work. I have work starting in mid September, but rent and food for the first is a problem. I have lived in my apt for seven years and never missed a dime of rent. I have contacted many organizations to no avail. Any help, no matter how small will help so much . I have some money and food toward this issue but need to raise a bit more. I am a55 years old year old male, no drugs, no alchol. I have a degree in history and one year of law school, yet cant get a job as a dishwasher.! I am very able bodied and will consider any offers for work to help me or any sugg. as to my situation. Very willing to contribute, work etc for help now. Thanks for reading this. I will have no internet connection soon .Just talking to other pet peolple will help. Thanks for your time.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/com/1908830437.html
Help Needed By Morning (West Valley)
Date: 2010-08-20, 12:20AM MST
Reply to: comm-f558k-1908830437@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

I am in need of a small loan for the next 2 weeks. I would be willing to pay back interest or a fee of your choice upon pay back. Please let me know if you can help me it is crucial that I get what I need by morning.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/com/1908017471.html

I can really use a wish right now
Date: 2010-08-19, 1:18PM MST
Reply to: comm-7vn5h-1908017471@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

My name is *************, a 22 year old female I know a lot people but ads up because they want and want and will take and take. I want everyone to know right off that is not what I’m trying to do. I just want help I am a well put together person, kind hearted and full of life, I love to volunteer and give whatever I can and whenever I can. I’m struggling to find my way I have many dreams and goals I would love to accomplish but see them slowly, fading away. I live with a friend and that’s the hardest thing for me because I never had to do something such as this I’m very independent at least I use to. I hate that I can’t do anything to help because I have no income and no transportation it kills me. I would like to go to school to become a Police Officer so I can help try to make this world a better place. I just want to find a job were I can make money to provide for myself and to give back to my friend that has helped me with no complaints. I just want to be able to work and go back to school get some type of income and a way of transportation. I have put in countless application near by I live so I can walk but I still have no luck and I will not give up. I have thought about using the public library as a source to help me attend school but the limit on a computer isn’t enough. I’m not sure what to do or where to go from here if you can help or have any advice as to what I can do to change my life around please feel free to email me at ***************** . Thank you for your time and have a bless day!

I suppose we are all going to have to gather on street corners and beg from each other. What a sad world this is when able bodied people are beggers and the needy and handicapped are left to beg on the corner? I'm going to go weep for our lost nation and values.

Up your nose with a rubber hose L.A.!!!

2010-05-18T20:18:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles City Council voted to boycott the state of Arizona over its new immigration-enforcement law, and now the Arizona Corporation Commission has responded. Gary Pierce, one of the commissioners chosen in state-wide elections to the utility regulation panel, notes that Los Angeles gets about 25% of its power from Arizona producers. If the City of Angels really wants a boycott, Pierce offers his services to help, as he explains in a letter to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and copied here:

Dear Mayor Villaraigosa,

I was dismayed to learn that the Los Angeles City Council voted to boycott Arizona and Arizona-based companies — a vote you strongly supported — to show opposition to SB 1070 (Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act).

You explained your support of the boycott as follows: “While we recognize that as neighbors, we share resources and ties with the State of Arizona that may be difficult to sever, our goal is not to hurt the local economy of Los Angeles, but to impact the economy of Arizona. Our intent is to use our dollars — or the withholding of our dollars — to send a message.” (emphasis added)

I received your message; please receive mine. As a state-wide elected member of the Arizona Corporation Commission overseeing Arizona’s electric and water utilities, I too am keenly aware of the “resources and ties” we share with the City of Los Angeles. In fact, approximately twenty-five percent of the electricity consumed in Los Angeles is generated by power plants in Arizona.

If an economic boycott is truly what you desire, I will be happy to encourage Arizona utilities to renegotiate your power agreements so Los Angeles no longer receives any power from Arizona-based generation. I am confident that Arizona’s utilities would be happy to take those electrons off your hands. If, however, you find that the City Council lacks the strength of its convictions to turn off the lights in Los Angeles and boycott Arizona power, please reconsider the wisdom of attempting to harm Arizona’s economy.

People of goodwill can disagree over the merits of SB 1070. A state-wide economic boycott of Arizona is not a message sent in goodwill.

Sincerely,

Commissioner Gary Pierce

A scan of the letter can be downloaded here. I wonder what Commissioner Pierce has to say about Councilman Ed Reyes’ lack of understanding of California’s own penal code? Maybe the AZCC could buy a copy for Reyes, although it might be difficult to read during the blackout in Los Angeles.

Arizona is getting worse than you think.......

2010-05-16T07:17:00.001-07:00

Subject: Arizona State Senator Sylvia Allen.
A Must Read!!!!
I'm am Arizona State Senator Sylvia Allen. I want to explain SB 1070
which I voted for and was just signed by Governor Jan Brewer.
Rancher Rob Krantz was murdered by the drug cartel on his ranch a month
ago. I participated in a senate hearing two weeks ago on the border
violence, here is just some of the highlights from those who testified.
The people who live within 60 to 80 miles of the Arizona/Mexico Border
have for years been terrorized and have pleaded for help to stop the
daily invasion of humans who cross their property . One Rancher
testified that 300 to 1200 people a DAY come across his ranch
vandalizing his property, stealing his vehicles and property, cutting
down his fences, and leaving trash. In the last two years he has found
17 dead bodies and two Koran bibles.

Another rancher testified that daily drugs are brought across his ranch
in a military operation. A point man with a machine gun goes in front,
1/2 mile behind are the guards fully armed, 1/2 mile behind them are
the drugs, behind the drugs 1/2 mile are more guards. These people are
violent and they will kill anyone who gets in the way. This was not the
only rancher we heard that day that talked about the drug trains.
One man told of two illegal's who came upon his property one shot in
the back and the other in the arm by the drug runners who had forced
them to carry the drugs and then shot them. Daily they listen to gun
fire during the night it is not safe to leave his family alone on the
ranch and they can't leave the ranch for fear of nothing being left
when they come back.

The border patrol is not on the border. They have set up 60 miles away
with check points that do nothing to stop the invasion. They They are not
allowed to use force in stopping anyone who is entering , but run
around chasing them, if they get their hands on them then they can take
them back across the border.

Federal prisons have over 35% illegal's and 20% of Arizona prisons are
filled with illegal's. In the last few years 80% of our law enforcement
that have been killed or wounded have been by an illegal.
The majority of people coming now are people we need to be worried
about. The ranchers told us that they have seen a change in the people
coming they are not just those who are looking for work and a better
life.

The Federal Government has refused for years to do anything to help the
border states . We have been over run and once they are here we have
the burden of funding state services that they use. Education cost have
been over a billion dollars. The healthcare cost billions of dollars.
Our State is broke, $3.5 billion deficit and we have many serious
decisions to make. One is that we do not have the money to care for any
who are not here legally. It has to stop.

The border can be secured. We have the technology we have the ability
to stop this invasion. We must know who is coming and they must come in
an organized manner legally so that we can assimilate them into our
population and protect the sovereignty of our country. We are a nation
of laws. We have a responsibility to protect our citizens and to
protect the integrity of our country and the government which we live
under.

I would give amnesty today to many, but here is the problem, we dare
not do this until the Border is secure. It will do no good to forgive
them because thousands will come behind them and we will be over run to
the point that there will no longer be the United States of America but
a North American Union of open borders. I ask you what form of
government will we live under? How long will it be before we will be
just like Mexico , Canada or any of the other Central American or South
American countries? We have already lost our language, everything must
be printed in Spanish also. We have already lost our history it is no
longer taught in our schools. And we have lost our borders.

The leftist media has distorted what SB 1070 will do. It is not going
to set up a Nazi Germany . Are you kidding. The ACLU and the leftist
courts will do everything to protect those who are here illegally, but
it was an effort to try and stop illegal's from setting up businesses,
and employment, and receiving state services and give the ability to
local law enforcement when there is probable cause like a traffic stop
to determine if they are here legally. Federal law is very clear if you
are here on a visa you must have your papers on you at all times. That
is the law. In Arizona all you need to show you are a legal citizen is
a driver license, MVD identification card, Native American Card, or a
Military ID. This is what you need to vote, get a hunting license,
etc.. So nothing new has been added to this law. No one is going to be
stopped walking down the street etc... The Socialist who are in power
in DC are angry because we dare try and do something and that something
the Socialist wants us to do is just let them come. They want the
"Transformation" to continue.

Maybe it is too late to save America . Maybe we are not worthy of
freedom anymore. But as an elected official I must try to do what I can
to protect our Constitutional Republic . Living in America is not a
right just because you can walk across the border. Being an American is
a responsibility and it comes by respecting and upholding the
Constitution the law of our land which says what you must do to be a
citizen of this country. Freedom is not free.

Mortgages: Walking Away

2010-05-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

Strategic Defaults, estimated that over 1 million Americans walked away from their homes, even if they could afford them. In Arizona the banks can not come after you for deficiency judgments.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6470184n

Overgrown with Ivy...

2010-05-11T07:26:00.000-07:00

I drove by this little house in a nice middle class area, it looks like its been abandoned and for sale so long that the vines have grown over the door. this is rare to happen in Arizona because, well this is a desert. The lack of water makes this hard to happen. With all the rain this spring it must have helped it along.

The news is lying to you

2010-05-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I enjoyed working a full 8-hour shift on Mother’s Day in a floral shop in Scottsdale , AZ. Being a mother my self it was some what amusing to watch men stream in who had forgotten mothers day and crept sheepishly in to find flowers for their wives and mothers. We helped them all find flowers that would smooth things over, offering the parting advice to let the woman in their lives know that they had custom ordered them for today so that they could pick them up so they would be as fresh as possible.

I am sure you wonder why men buying flowers has anything to do with this blog, well besides most of the budget conscious Scottsdale shoppers, I found some disturbing news after my sift at the family Mother’s Day dinner at my mother in-laws.

My brother in law who works for a company contracted by the state of Arizona to administer and run mental health programs for the state; let me in on a dirty little secret that the state of Arizona is hiding from everyone. He is in management in this department and because of this he gets all of the state bulletin emails. The picture they paint is not a pretty one.

He let me know that much of what is going on in Arizona is not well. All of those wealthy, or pretentending to be men, who quickly zapped their credit cards for flowers yesterday, are dropping like flies. He said suicides are up 500%.

How dose he know this you ask? One of the departments he is over are the States crisis intervention counselors. These are the people who come out after a tragedy or come out when the police call for mental health assistance. He said that they are getting tons of calls of these wealthy Scottsdale men committing suicide because of their finical problems. These men, many stating so in suicide letters, are stating that they are killing themselves so that their family will get huge death benefits from their insurance policies.

What these poor should didn’t realize is that once they killed themselves it was an automatic disqualifier and that their families who are already suffering more will get nothing, zero, zip, from insurance. So not only are these families now suffering more, but they are now left with out fathers and husbands. He said that there are hundreds if not more of these types of cases happening a month. He also let me know that the suicide/crisis line has seen double the calls they normally do per month. A normal month pre-crisis they received about 3,000 calls, now they receive upwards of 8,000 calls per month. That these people are increasingly more desperate and scared. He said they call talking about doing terrible things to themselves and others.

If this is not bad enough lets delve in to the state budget cuts. The state health department in Arizona, Gone. No more free immunizations, aids testing. Meals on Wheels, gone. No more food for the elderly and home bound. Food stamps offices are completely overwhelmed and are not longer able to handle the inflow of applications for assistance. Child care assistance for working families has dried up as well. So now if you find a job, you better be able to pay for child care of your SOL.

The city of Phoenix will be laying off 750 police officers. Despite promises that the raise in food tax would solve this problem. The fire department has all had their hours cut to 32 hours a week. There will be many more losses most of which I can’t remember from a brief conversations, I will have to call him back and ask more.

He did tell me he’s scared, very scared. He said they are going to cut a bunch of mental health benefits including medications and housing for the highly functioning people that are not crazy enough for the state hospital. He said this, “The whole state is a powder keg ready to blow” He said they have several mental health clients that they are expecting to go off the depend and do something crazy like going postal, but their hands are tied and threes nothing they can do. He said expect things to get very crazy in July in Arizona. Prop 100 will not stop this; it will only prevent deeper cuts. He’s keeping a bug out kit in his car and considering purchasing a gun. He’s very anti gun as well.

The point of this picture-less post, all is not well in Arizona. The internal memos going around the state are saying that this is worse than the great depression. They are hiding this from you on the news to avoid creating a panic. People are suffering and I expect once they cut more benefits in July, in the heat of the summer, your going to see some crazy people getting a lot crazier. Get ready and be safe. The news is lying to you. Its horrible out there, they are just hiding it from you.

The Great Fall of Arizona

2010-04-30T11:43:00.001-07:00

This blog is simple, it will detail my journey's around the state of Arizona, my home state. If you think the worst is over, think again.

These first three pictures are of a once thriving community of Magma Ranch, in Florence Arizona. These were model homes in what used to be a very nice family community. These homes started in the 150's, now they sit empty and recently vandalized. The builder has long since gone bankrupt and I can only assumed these are owned by a bank or the FDIC. You can find more about the builders demise here, http://builder-implode.com/imploded/builder_RoyceHomes_2008-08-19.html .

Is there a place you would like me to go take pictures of? Just send me an email and I will try to go there and update with pictures of it.