Any time the economy slows the quality of life declines and the crime rate rises. The Great Depression of the 20's is an example of what happens when the economy goes to hell in a handbasket. In our area thieves are stealing catalytic converters from cars in parking lots, copper from air conditioners and furnaces and even stainless steel tops from car wash vacs.
Robert raises some very valid points regarding the burden of unfettered immigration and politicians who are more concerned about being elected and padding their own pockets rather than solving the problems at hand. Despite what some here feel, race relations are getting worse as the recession deepens. I have have followed the campaigns fairly closely and have yet to hear any real solutions to the problems we have with the recession, gas/food prices, unemployment, illegal immigration, wars and the economy in general. The candidates feel making statements like "more jobs", lowering gas prices", "tax the rich", "end the war", etc will be enough to sway the minds of the masses. If they are pushed to give answers to these problems their politician minds kick in and they either skililfully avoid answering or blame the other guy for the problem.
Somehow our society has accepted the notion that anyone who lives here should be fed, clothed, and generally taken care of simply because they are within our borders. Illegal immigrants find it easier to get Medicare assistance than residents. We still have people in our city that receive Hurricane Katrina Relief. People who had foolishly gotten in over their heads in a mortgage now look to the government to save them. The list could go on and on.
Our problems are complex and I am sure there are no easy answers but to avoid them and hope they go away or to think they will be solved with political platitudes are making these problems even worse.