[Doody]

Saw this article about Elkhart, Indiana. It's probably the same across the country. While money can't 'buy' happiness, it certainly brings peace of mind.

Debra K. Gibbs, a 54-year-old homemaker in Goshen, in Elkhart County, didn’t leave a note. Instead, she simply sent her worried daughter out for soda pop on a summer morning — and then shot herself in the head.

Despondent over a pending home foreclosure and mounting bills, Gibbs took her life on June 23, the day after crews came to repossess her 2007 Chevy Malibu, the last purchase she’d made together with her late husband, Sam.

“She was doing everything she could to hold onto what was hers,” said Gibbs’ daughter, Rebecca Filley, 30, of Cassopolis, Mich. “This was a vivacious, very strong woman, and she was taken to her knees because of money.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33738656...khart_project/

[Doody]

And I think I'll reply to myownself, lol.

It is so frightening to be on the brink of financial upheaval. We see it from our friends here. And if you suffer with depression anyway, that upheaval can get to the point you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Been there, done that.

I guess we should just all make sure we have a support system and friends to talk with. And hope and trust that it will work itself out.

[Alffe]

I so agree Doody...it is everywhere and most of us are affected by it one way or another. I can't help but wonder when Wall St. is going to hear Main St...or if they are. Sooooooo much rage out here and anger doesn't always manifest itself in suicide.

[Doody]

I know Ms. Alffe. Big sigh here too.

I just feel so bad for people who get so depressed and so low and then get hit with a financial crisis...well, the personal stories they tell in that article say it all.

Maybe we should send the link to President Obama and also the fat cats on Wall Street.

[Alffe]

Our President has been to Elkhart, Indiana twice because the unemployment rate is so high...it's about 35 miles from here. I'm sure he must be aware from the articles in the papers. And just about everyone here knows some horror story about their friends losing their homes because they can't pay their property taxes or their cars because they can't make the payments after losing their jobs.

And the callers on the call-in shows have trouble containing their anger. ~sigh

[Doody]

I feel like I have an investment in your part of the woods ((Ms. Alffe)). But then, you may recall my high school sweetheart lives in Elkhart. My heart breaks reading the stories and seeing the pictures at the end of the article of all the people there facing foreclosures, etc.

I also noticed on the map they show Iowa as one of the states in recovery!?!? Huh? What? Are they talking about the Iowa I live in!?????

My heart goes out to everyone facing these difficulties. You are not alone in this!

[Addy]

I personally understand the suicide/debt association... and I thank God every day for my friends and family for all their support through a very difficult time.

Your president, our prime minister... and much of the world are in a big mess... and although I'm very grateful that they recognize and are working on the systems to make a better world... it can't happen fast enough... their priorities are scattered all over the place .... and unfortunately much of it is controlled by a handful of greedy rich folk.