Sam’s Story:
It's real simple, I was laid off on Jan. 28th. Now I am thinking of running for Congress. I have 3 children and they deserve better than this and no one knows better what my children need better than a loving parent.

serge’s Story:
it's challenging but so is it for everyone leading a honest living..you take the punches, dust off and keep pushing ahead in unison. it can only get better from here. as coping goes, to avoid any sappy depressing state of mind. I keep busy, I've started a garden (i'm told i'm late planting anything ) I also socialize more often as cheaply as possible. it helps quite a lot to just go with the flow!

Shannon’s Story:
I am coping with the present state of the economy because i have no choice but to cope with it. Our previously twice-elected official was a boy from a rich family with a long track record of irressponsible spending of mommy and daddy's money, so why not do the same with the monies of the US Citizens. I expected the backlash, however i didn't expect it to hurt. The best thing any of us can do is accept that stress will happen in life, and learn to deal with stress in a constructive manner.

sharon’s Story:
I'm 62 year mom of 2 and gandma to 6. My husband died and I've struggled for the last 4 years. I've watched my retire fly out the window. I'm glad I still have my job but for how much longer as it is a county government job. As budgets are reduced so are employees. I'm helping with my 83 year old mom's needs and wishing I could do more for her. My house needs repairs and I've been forced to use my credit cards for food. There doesn't seem to be an end in sight. I'm in God's hands now.

Stephanie’s Story:
Everything has been affected by the economy, but the biggest hit was learning that I might not be able to go to college for a while. My college money was in a mutual fund that had been left to me in trust. When the economy dived, I lost 3/4 of what was there. I can't afford to rack up a lot of debt with student loans, so it's looking like I might have to wait a few years for my fund to go back up. I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

Stephanie’s Story:
The economy is so bad, my husband and I both have jobs but haven't been paid by either employer in 2 months!! Their businesses are doing so bad that they can't afford to pay us, yet if they "lay us off" they won't have people to do the work that is needed and will have to close. There are no other jobs available in the area that we either qualify for or can afford to take. It's a very bad situation.

Stuart Tait’s Story:
I'm a massage therapist. Before the economic breakdown, I was doing 5 massages/day. Now I only have one or two. Expensive dinners and massage are two things people cut out of their budgets in these hard times. I don't know how I'm going to make it. I have faith that this Great Country of Ours will pick itself up, dust itself off and shine once again. I just pray that it's soon.

Sue noel’s Story:
This video brings a lump to my throat. But until we stop warring on others, nothing will change no matter how many touching videos are made. We must stop the military/industrial/academic/congressional complex from designing and selling weapons to other countries. We must start retooling so that car companies can make mass transit vehicles, so that Boeing can make wind turbines instead of fighter jets to be sold to Israel to bomb Palestinians, so that Monsanto ends their destruction of the land

sydney’s Story:
Harry and I canvased citizen opinions for 12 years asking....all ages... how do you feel about UncleSam ...the gathered information was put into 3 new portraits... a true collaboration of quality... see the new Uncle Sam Building a Better America for all citizens to have quality of life... www. usa thinking team. com you can talk to me directly at usateamsydney@yahoo.com we are now award winning with music theater to go with it. love to all of you..sea to shining sea