Exiting the Summer of our Economic Discontent

As we officially fling ourselves into a new financial outlook for fall, it’s worth remembering that the nation just exited the economic equivalent of “the summer of our discontent,” during which financial concerns seemed to prompt unprecedented dissatisfaction with the federal government. In fact, a mid-August poll from the Pew Research Center showed that public satisfaction with the federal government dropped to 11%--the lowest percentage since 1997. In reality, the number of Americans upset with government doings (or lack thereof) has doubled since March 2011 (26% of Americans say they’re angry at the federal government, up from 14 percent in March and 12 percent in 1997), signifying that our collective frustration over financial concerns is only getting more palpable as time progresses.

So what are people just like you and me most upset about in the current economic malaise? Well, everything from the prices at the pump to the ongoing real estate reckoning to uneasiness about unemployment rates seem to the be ranking high on average American stress-o-meters.

According to the people at the Pew Research Center, some 58% of Americans are concerned about even the most basic food and consumer goods expenses, while even more (69% of Americans) are getting worked up about gas prices. About one-quarter of those surveyed (24%) had concerns about the stock market. But many more people were worried about the job (42%) and housing (35%) markets, signifying that the old wounds of the weakened economy have yet to heal in the hearts, minds, and wallets of those impacted by under and unemployment, as well as an underwater real estate sector.

This collective (and growing) American anger is a bad sign for 2012 election hopefuls looking to parlay favor with a post recession-weary public. As The Huffington Post put it, “With unemployment hovering at 9 percent and the first decline in incomes in almost two years it’s no wonder Americans are expressing dissatisfaction with their leaders. Almost 50 percent of Americans disapprove of President Barack Obama compared to the nearly 60 percent who disapprove of Republicans, according to Pew. Some are taking their discontent to the streets. Protestors have been stationed in Zuccotti Park in New York City’s financial district since Sept. 17 as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement. The group aims to counter corporate power, income inequality and other concerns.”

So, whether it be perceptions of the corrupt practices of the financial industry or apathy from the federal government, many Americans are mad, and they’re not taking it anymore. In some cases, to the tune of 1.5 million Americans in 2011 alone, they’re taking their financial futures into their own hands and using bankruptcy to create a better fiscal outlook in 2012 and beyond. And so, in these rough and tumble tough economic times, wherein rising oil rates and low hiring rates, among other factors, are exacerbating other economic pressures on already beleaguered budgets, it may be time to turn to a more definitive option: taking a much-needed fall vacation from high summer debt through the safe havens of a personal bankruptcy.

Knowing a qualified bankruptcy attorney can also help you face these financial fears, yielding the right kinds of support, information and insights—at a low cost— for a viable and secure future beyond your current economic uneasiness. The bankruptcy attorneys at the Law Offices of John T. Orcutt offer a totally FREE debt consultation and now, more than ever, it’s time to take them up on their offer. Just call toll free to +1-833-627-0115, or during the off business hours, you can make your own appointment online at www.billsbills.com.