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Resisting Recession
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  We’ve felt the squeeze more each day, with fuel and food prices up and home prices down. But the Granite State’s pinch has been less painful than in much of the country, and many expect it’ll stay that way. We’ll find out why, and we’ll look at what could derail New Hampshire’s recession resistance and actually put us behind other states down the road. Guests
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Listening to your program right now and I had a comment I wanted to share with other listeners. Last winter we set our thermostat at 55 degrees and left it there. We were able to suppliment with wood burning for a portion of the winter before we ran out. Then we lived in wool, sweaters, socks, under blankets. It was intensely depressing at times and definately lead to some lifestyle changes but it did lessen the amount of oil we purchased by two thirds. So start knitting everyone!
The program on the recession was good as far as it went. However, I am working with very poor people in NH and while survival is always difficult in this ever-gentrifying state, things are extremely difficult for folks who have no income, fixed low income, or making minimum wage. The short-term effects are many new people coming to food pantries and other emergency services; evictions for non-payment of rent; and service agencies, welfare organizations, and religious groups becoming overwhelmed with needs.
The long-term effects are more uncertain, but are related to abandonment of immediate health care and wellness needs, violence in the home, and effects on children.
If these things are happening to ANYONE in a true community, then action - in the form of financial assistance - needs to be taken. Sometimes it sounds as though many are content to say:"Most people are doing fine, so what's the problem?" Disasters do not only come in the form of a devastating hurricane or flood; they come in the form of financial implosion, and need to be addressed as immediately and thoroughly.
With more people slowing down or driving less to conserve gasoline, are towns feeling the pinch in the amount of money they raise through speeding tickets and other moving violations? Will this now result in further tax increases to make up for them?