CNN

Jack,
After money comes kids. Parenting them, disciplining them, feeding them, clothing them, educating them. Then wham... you turn around and they are in college and never even phone home. Yeah kids would definately be #2 but then there are grandkids one day to look forward to. PAYBACK!!

actually # 1 is listening to the lying GOP. They drive me nuts .

How to spend the money that's not causing the stress of not having money.

My wife's To do list!......

It would have to be work at the job you must have to get the money. Many are walking on eggshells at work and sure do not want to make any waves either. Because when the cuts are going around they do not want to be the one cut. It seems as though companies do not care about their employees anymore just the bottom line the cause of outsourcing and layoffs.

Watching our elected representatives sell out to big business whose only interest is increasing their profits at the cost of the American public. Our current health care "debate" is the most recent proof of that. The people in charge of crafting the reform are in the pockets, based on contributions, of the insurance and drug companies. In the end, not much will change, and true reform will have to wait until we cannot afford the premium and co-pay increases and then we'll go through the whole process again. It's pretty damn disgusting!!!!

Cable news.

Having good health is always a factor Jack – But if you're luck enough to be blessed with a good gene pool and you have enough coin to take care of food, lodging and few "I'd like to haves" it's all gravey.

And for those who are still able to find stress in etheir lives. keep em away from me. No drama allowed in my crib

Jack: The loss of a loved one, and next would be a personal relationship going south. These are the ones mentioned by mental health workers most often.

After money? Americans. They just can't get enough of the shouting and putting down Canada. Honestly, what did we do to you? Other than get free health care, that is... we know that cheeses you off.

The news.

Cable news.

Other people dragging their personal dramas, stress, etc into my life.
Since choosing to lose these people from my life, I can genuinely say my life is free of unnecessary stress and stressors.

where you can get money to feed your family

Jack,

Worrying about my childrens future and how to prepare them for it.

Independent Joe (Mn)

JACK: As kids our father use to say be proud of our family name.And don't hurt our family name. Now you don't hear that. There is no shame,No pride.Politicians don't care what you think of their name. as long as the money goes to the bank, or the freezer.Jack what will happen to AMERICA????

My biggest cause of stress is finishing high school and now that there is talk of longer school years and days, I am very stressed out.

Other people. Hell is other people.

Jeez – just one huh? People like Glen Beck, Hannity, O'Reilly and Limbaugh driving the horrible disconnect between the two political parties in our country with lies; and the hateful screaming across the aisles in Congress and the Senate – failing to work together to get the Health Care Reform passed; and our officials moaning about the cost of all our legislation and corp bailouts and yet who have added dozens of earmarks and pork in a sort of "squanderlust" with our already scary deficit.

Well, I'm a health insurance excecutive and I'm stressing out about I can possible spend the $23 million I made last year.

Roy
Texas

Fear of my husband losing his primary job. I'm self-employed and my income is way down. We pick up odd jobs to supplement our income. We're typical of Main Street, USA. We're not the Big Banks, not Wall Street, and definitely not rich; therefore, we don't count according to our elected representatives. Hopefully, next election we voters will have the last laugh and turn most of these Congressional Clowns out of office. I truly despise both parties now.

Health care. I was cherry picked out 5 years ago and now, because of a pre-existing condition, can't buy health insurance at any price. My doctor has told me I need an expensive surgery to retain my mobility, but I'm left high and dry. If we don't have significant reform of the system in this country, I guess there will be one more person going on the public dole in order to get Medicaid.

My wife. Over the last few years she's begun to make the Nazi SS look like slackers. She's even "suggested" I do all bathroom business while sitting. Ahhh, wedded abyss.... I can't wait to go deaf.

The stupidity of the American people (as a group).

My stress never last long because I chose to face it since my body reacts quickly and I do listen to my body because I wish to live old and healthy!

Jack,
Im a student, you think that I should be worrying about exams and essays, right? I think so too, however the fact that PA hasn't passed a budget, and I got bills and tuition to be payed has me worried more than studying and trying to better myself. What kind of meritocracy is this when students have to struggle about money issues instead of exams? Everyone talks about the elderly and healthcare, the unemployed, etc but they hardly pay attention to us-the student that also struggles if not more than the others.
Pennsylvania

Jack,
I believe that the cause of most stress is brought on by the fact that most Americans, including myself, feel like our so called great government as sold us out. Most of these elected idiots couldn't careless what the American citizens want or need, there main concern is how to steal, rob,lie to the American tax payer so these 3thd. world elected officials can line there pockets with more money. I also define Obama, as the great talker, it seems he never gets anything done, he just goes from one talk show to the next. Until we elect some good elected officials, I feel the worst is yet to come, speaking for myself, I have absolutely no use for any of our elected government officials. I really don't enjoy feeling this way, I just truly feel like they sell us out, everyday. It's time for a change, a real change.
Carl in Illinois

My only and biggest cause of stress is that our do nothing corrupt
congress................""remember them !! the same folks who sat there
taking all the money they could get from the lobby while our country was brought to its knees...............yea those folks.The best government money can buy and throw in many tax cheats who Nancy Pelosi protects daity.THAT IS TRULY MY BIGGEST STRESSOR !!!!!! Because its truly killing our wonderful nation and its great people.
David

The Government, because they are driving us into the deep end of the cesspool with the uncontrolled spending.

Obama. Isn't it obvious why?

Watching what the American news outlets do with serious issues is my greatest cause of stress. Jack, it's painful to hear the blather and pundits allowed to say pretty much anything on these show without being challenged nor fact-checked. Seeing how this discourse confuses the population, and makes it even more oppositional is even worse.

My adrenal tumor, followed closely by being under-employed.

My biggest source of stress is a son-in-law who has an MBA but who has been unable to find a job for 9 months. The future of their entire family is at risk and and all their dreams are on hold. Despite trying to help, there is not but so much my wife and I can do. As a parent, it is a helpless feeling seeing the pain those you love and not being able to do a damned thing. I blame the fat cats on Wall Street for causing this mess and while they continue to screw around with other folks money and make millions, the rest of we mortals pay to clean up their manure. I want some accountability and someone to pay big time.
Chatham, VA

Easy...UNEMPLOYMENT. Why? I shouldn't have to explain that. I also have stress-related episodes due to past sexual trauma, although that's not continual, only occasional. Hey, you asked .
Lucy
SF, CA

our elected officials and we should replace them to reduce our stress.

It's the economy!

Come on Jack. With job losses still happening and the GOP doing everything they can to make sure that their wealthy buddies are not inconvienced by this "economic glitch", the rest of us are suffering.

I'd love to see all those smug Congress members from both parties lose their fancy perks: offices, staff, cars, free travel, the best health care money (taxpayer's money) can buy, free postage, and all those other freebies, their "campaign contributions" from big businesses, and get a salary more comparable to what the rest of us make. Bet you'd see some fast changes in economic priorities!

Second to that, I'm worried about some wingnut shooting our President or a member of his family. I saw it happen in the 60s with JFK, RFK, and Rev. King and the political atmosphere is starting to smell the same now.

My BIGGEST cause of stress is people & money! We have so many different kinds of people out there & each one has money problems of some sort or another! Well, I have both, too, so I don't really care to hear about somebody else's, if it doesn't concern me! For example, all these Millionaires & Billionaires who can't loan or give somebody $20.00, leave a tip, or even pay their bills! Come on already! All they have to do is go to the Bank! I have to go to the park & pick up 10 cent pop cans all day(& some days there isn't any), to survive! At least it's legal! How about another Economic Stimulus?! I could surely use one!! And while they are at it, make it a Part 2, 3, 4, etc..., so we can LIVE!! Bill Klatt-Saint Joseph, MI

Biggest form of Stress right now is making sure this White House and the rest of these Democrats don't throw away the opportunity they were given when voted into office to help the country..Their not showing much thus far Jack.

The news media 'reporting' all the negatives or let's say not focusing on the positives in life today.

Our politicians stress me out to the max!!! They get paid an awful lot of money for all their crying and complaining. It is time that they start doing what they are being paid for. Start working together and make the right decisions for the people that voted them in and back our President after all he was voted in by the people and for the people. Our country did not get into this mess in the last 8 months.It is time for both sides to wipe their eyes and get to work...After all they do have a job.........

MY mates two types of cancer, and I don't sweat all the other stuff anymore. Awakening every day with her illness on my mind eventually made everything else seem so insignificant, and trivial. As I write this my eyes fill with tears because there isn't anything that I can do about it to help her , but pray, and hope for the best for her. I get my strength from watching her go about the day, and making the best of it, filled with hope, and determination that she will beat it, and you know somehow, I believe she will. I pray she will.

Employment, Jack. I fear that one day I'll lose the job I enjoy now and end up doing something for a living I'd rather not be doing. That to me is scary, and yet, its likely inevitable. There's no replacement for a job that you enjoy.

The biggest cause of stress is being an American living abroad. Why? Because we invade other countries for no good reason. We emit more CO2 per capita than anybody else and just don't care. We consume far more energy than anybody and think we're entitled to it. We import most of our oil and mountains of foreign products and borrow money from others so we can even pay for it. We're the undeserving fat slobs of the planet, that oughta be treated just like WE would treat anybody who doesn't deserve handouts.

Idiots, Jack, idiots. Why? There's just too many of them. They drive, they vote and they generally believe everything they read on the internet or see on tv.

What’s your biggest cause of stress and why?

My biggest stress is the endless 24 hour coverage of Birthers, Deathers, Tea-Baggers, Tenthers, Obama bashing, unAmerican, lack of Civility by talking heads and Republican lawmakers lying and protecting their campaign contibutors over Americans..

Did you hear Beck, Hannity, Limbaugh, Malkin, O'Reilly, etc.. praising our president for trying to bring jobs to America by getting the Olympic games? No

Had Obama not tried these same folks would have been calling our president unAmerican for not even trying.

Now they are congratulating themselves left and right.. Even you are asking "What can Obama do to get a win" How soon even you have forgotten the wins already acomplished Jack.

The sooner they come up with a new and improved Fairness Doctrine the better.. It won't be Obama or Democrat bashing on all the time!

Jenna
Roseville CA

My biggest source of stress right now is the future of health care in this country. Yes, I have health insurance, albeit I bitterly resent seeing my health care dollars go into the pockets of Wall Street bankers and corrupt politicians in Washington. But right now 22,000 Americans a year are dying because they do not have access to medical care. That's 7 times more than the Americans we lost in 9/11 and with the the possible of representative Alan Grayson, no one seems to care.
That's a real source of stress for me because to paraphrase Martin Luther King, we are interdependent, and as long as other people lack adequate medical care, I cannot be totally well.
It's a shame that a country which professes itself to be Christian, rejects the teachings of Martin Luther King.

Jack...
My biggest cause of stress is George W. Bush and what it will require to recover from the administration of the preceding 8 years. H1 N1 is a very stressful concern too.
John
Pampa,TX

There are so many, it is hard to pinpoint just one: no job, no health insurance, I am so tired of all of the crap in our country: the scare tactics employed by the GOP, people's willingness to believe it, and politicians taking any opportunity to resort to name-calling over unimportant things just to draw attention from things that really matter. How much longer are these childish antics going to continue? There are many people just hanging on by their fingernails, not to mention the many others who have already lost their homes. Republicans and Democrats get concerned about our nation and its people. Stop grandstanding. There are a lot of hurting people out here!

I'm stressed by the high levels of Socialist Spending by our Socialist President Obama knowing that huge tax increases will be needed in the future to fund Obama's Socialist spending.

My biggest cause of stress is thinking about the country that we have made for the next generation. I don't see the same sustainable future for them as I saw when I first graduated from college. The stimulus is not really working even though banks are now able to pay bonuses. I don't see any efforts going to create long lasting sustainable employment. We can pave highways or build high speed Pelosi-Reid rail lines so people can get to a gambling mecca with ease, but this is not creating the basic jobs that will be needed for the future. Why build a new road when there is no reason to travel on it? We had a bridge to nowhere now we have stimulus to nowhere. Our Congress, looking at both sides of the aisle, seems completely incapable of coming to any sensible resolutions on any issue. I am really scared about America's future and the future of my children and grandchildren.

My biggest cause of stress is my timesheet. I work in an advertising agency where bill hourly. Some days I can only bill a few hours; others, none. It's like I'm watching my job slip away minute by minute.

Boise, ID

My biggest cause of stress are those in this world who seem to be intent on causing problems. The Republicans and Conservatives of the current era cannot seem to realize that we need cooperation and not just a bunch of screaming yahoos trying to cause trouble.

simple the current administration becaus they are ruining everything is about being an american especiallly with the climate bill and the health care buill they are shoving down our throughts without reading it and telling us whgat's really in it

Jack–
I do worry some about money and cutting my spending and starting to save more. However, the atmosphere of hatred and violence in America right now really stresses me to the point that I intend to become active politically and start speaking out and working for a better country.

Without of doubt it is being unemployed for 13 mos and no job prospects to speak of. President Obama promised 3 Million jobs with his speeches on the Stimulus Package and yet this country has 7+ MILLION Americans unemployed including 400.000 that have exhausted their EXTENDED BENEFITS in August & September but are STRESSED too because the Senate has a bill that will extend jobless benefits 13 addl weeks, to which the President said he would sign the bill 2 mos ago AND its collecting dust because the Senate Finance Committee is totally absorbed with healthcare reform hearings that nothing else matters especially the 400.000 Americans who will remember this chain of events in Nov 2010. Thats my Stress Jack! Being unemployed-The President's empty promises and The Senate not addressing the extension of jobless benefits because of their continuous-laughable healthcare reform hearings! S.1699 extends jobless benefits 13 addl weeks! Stress O meter is 10!

Jack, I am retired, laid back, not the stressful type, however, I can tell you what DOES cause me stress in one very pointed word.

CONGRESS!! If I could do one thing, it would be to fire every one of these clowns, hold one huge, special election, in which none of the people up for election could have ever been in Congress or the Senate, and start over from scratch. One thing is guaranteed, we couldn't be any worse off than we are right now.

I make it a habit not to worry, Jack. Worry only leads to fear, and fear leads to anger. Not a healthy way to live. Live within your means, give to charity, love your neighbor & enemy alike, and have peace in your life.

Human extinction is problematic. if all of the scientific predictions about the pace of Global Warming have been too conservative in the past, they could be too conservative now as well. Maybe we don't have ten years to get down to 350 parts per million. Maybe we don't have five.

My biggest cause of stress is hearing that Scary Palin is on TV again giving another rambling speech and that makes my hemorrhoids flare up terribly.

I heard when she went to Hong Kong for that CLSA Asia Pacific Markets Conference speech that they gave her a "PALIN TO ENGLISH INTERPRETER".

My wife is my biggest stress because shes a nut.

Finding insurance for my pre-existing health condition. I have MS, can't afford private ins(who won't take me anyway) and Medicare doesn't cover me. For shots that I take every single day the cost is $3000.00
per month and anti-seizure meds are another $400.00 month. Add that to regular living expenses, which I keep to a minimum, and add other medical
procedures like quarterly MRIs, et. al and I am in serious trouble.
Maybe Newsweek would like to decide when this Granny should die??

Maria

Brunswick,MD

My biggest source of stress is the ever growing reality that we're on our own,i.e.can't count on those in Gov't who are paid to keep the streets safe,keep the crooks from running businesses into the ground,i.e.maintaining some semblence of law and order so that I have a fighting chance to make it.The whole country is now firmly headed into the toilet and this President's priority is trying to get the Olympics in his back yard.Makes you long for the good ole' days of Bush/Cheney.

The manifestation of stress through money comes from the constant, daily loss of options. By that I mean that we can no longer defend ourselves in a fair fight. All the laws are tilted grossly against us and continue to press harder. Our rights are slowly being whittled away each day as congress surreptitiously alters everything we hold dear from our privacy, our ability to protect ourselves from such vermin as identity thieves, a healthcare industry that uses us as a cash cow, aided and abetted by Congress, the supreme clowns and that other clown, the president. Add to that; we have limited ability to seek legal restitution, recovery or recrimination when a corporation or an agency such as the IRS makes inaccurate charges against us. Every facet of our lives is plagued with stress, even down to the tons of junk mail, SPAM, telemarketing, and endless advertising and marketing. All of which forces us to constantly be on edge trying to protect what little cash we have left after the stock market took most of what we started out with.

Stress no, worry yes, I'm financially ok, but I would like to have enough money to make sure my family is taken care of for the rest of their lives. They are all ok now but with the condition this country is in I'm not sure that forty or fifty years from now my grandchildren will have the means to live a comfortable life.

Everything is a major source of stress because nothing seems to work any more – not even the small simple things. It is truly astounding how disfunctionality seems to be omni present.

Jack;
I can't sleep at night, considering forced swine flu shots. Of course the Central banks & Federal Reserve , fit into the equation; especially since their clientel are involved with the Flu shots. Just the tip of the iceberg.
No sleep again tonight.
I

My biggest stress is over money. My second biggest stress is over women. My third biggest stress is how much money women cost me.

I was so simple minded that I thought maybe Obama could pull Congress together and try to get something done. I didn't realize that people would get so violently mad that Congress would be split not only by party but by bigotry. I really thought they would realize that the alternative was my age and his running mate's shoe size might be bigger than her IQ. It is all so sad. I am old in most people's eyes. Maybe I won't live to see it all go south. Someone should have told Obama that all those things he promised there was no way in hell or heaven he could accomplish any of them. I would really like to move to Canada but am too old to start changing things now.

My wife's To do list! Because it doesn't matter how much work I do, it keeps getting bigger and bigger!

My biggest fear is the current administration falling flat on its face. Right now there is an incredible amount of stumbling. We've spent a insane amount of money on unproven fixes run by people who for the most part caused or helped cause the mess we are in. It doesn't take much for me to not believe what the administration is saying.

Cable news and talk radio. My dog makes me angry.

I stress over the dangerous attitude this country has adopted and where it could lead. No one seems to have any respect for anything or anybody anymore, and I don't know why. Why is there so much hatred aimed at the president? Why do people think that they can say whatever they want and not worry about the consequences?They are using the first amendment as a shield to basically say the most outrageous things that they can think of, and some of it is bordering on treason!

Mr. Cafferty:

The time it is taking the Senate to pass the unemployment extension bill. There are 1000's of decent people trying to find jobs, but are having no luck. A large portion of these people have ran out of benefits. Talk about stress! I have worked my entire life. I continue to seek employment everyday, with no luck. Congress doesn't get it..

Jim

What stresses me out the most? My own government.
Why? How can they think that free trade with other countries who's labor costs are at 1/15th that of ours will not bleed our country of jobs.
What are they thinking? Protectionism? Ba-Humbug. It's Survival baby! This is turning out to be a modern day Trojan Horse.

Howard
Carlsbad, CA.

Jack
other damn people. If everyone would just be reasonable and do things my way the world would be a lot better off.

Pablo
Arlington Texas

The fact that I lost my job and at age 60, my prospects for finding another are minimal. I have gotten to know the people working for debt collection agencies. Yep, my circle of aquaitances has truly broadened.

Right now? The fact that everyone I know has serious problems with our health insurance, but for some reason I keep hearing the lie that we are afraid of our government fixing this problem. I am stressed waiting for Congress to do something. I guess I live in the wrong 15% of America.

I worry about how I'm going to get to work when I'm 92, because I'm thinking my eyes won't be good enough to drive by then.

Maybe by then companies will provide a bus for their "long term" employees who lost money when their retirement investments tanked. Sure hope I can board a bus, you know it'll be tough with osteoporosis setting in.

Can't wait to see what questions you're asking Jack when I'm 92! I think you're gonna be really REALLY cranky by then. I'm sure you'll be a riot!

Jack - My biggest source of stress is how unfair things are in the world and the problems that emanate from this unfairness - for example, global warming - why? - because the oil and coal industries rule the roost - another example, global poverty - why?– because the haves
refuse to share with and help the have nots - a final example, the wars we're fighting - why? - because political leaders are directly tied in with defense contractors and war profiteers like Halliburton!

My biggest cause of stress nowadays Jack is trying to understand how can American people elect people like the ones we have in Congress right now ! Actually, how can American people RE-ELECT them ?!?!

For the long haul? I stress that it is the year 2009, and yet we are still managing to create things like Rush Limbaugh, religous orthodoxy, bigotry on everry level you could imagine, a dying planet, Sarah Palin, Ann Coulter, and green bean casserole at the holidays. I wanted us to be further along by now.

Praying that at the age of 73 I can still work for many more years to support myself..

Unemployment!!!!!!!

We are just about dead broke, we have had to move inwith our KIDS, and there are few or no jobs!!!!

I don't care a rat's butt about the rest of the world. I want us to get out of the wars, use that money to help our citizens, and get us up and running again!!!

Without a doubt it's the general condition of the country. Maybe people need a big scare before they take concrete action. It's like the song "slip sliding away." We see "it" slipping away and seem powerless to stem the tide. Let's forget it by going to a movie or watching some dumbed down sitcom or "reality" TV show. Well, here's reality – the good times will be over for good unless the government and the people wake up and pull together. Less talk, more work.

The fact that we just began the process to file bankruptcy because of medical bills that we can't pay.

Health, not money.
Who wants to be the richest man in the cemetary?
Then again in this country if you don't have money and you become sick, your chances are not to good either.
I guess our nations leaders have us over a barrel when it comes to stress.

Demographics (immigration) and our future. At the rate we are going in twenty or thirty years America and Canada will have all Muslim politicians and you know what's going to happen to our way of life then. Remember the soccer stadiums when the Taliban took over?
I saw a Imam on TV the other day saying there are two types of Muslims, the weak ones and the extremists. When they take over the weak and mild ones will become extremists like the others and it's all over. The more I think about it the more stressed out I get.

Jack,

I'd like to have more money ... who wouldn't? But, money does not consume my thoughts ... it is not a stress-er.

My daughter wants to be a Mom, (and I want that for her, and have invested a lot for us all!) That is what consumes my thoughts, Jack, and is the primary source of stress in my life.

I've reached an age (55,) where I think less about me and my income, and a lot more about my health, and the health of those close to me. I've read your books ... you have daughters ... you understand.

Rick, Medina, OH

Jack,
What causes me the most stress besides soaring insurance, and Palin's face on the news, like somebody cares to see it , is when you are not on the show. I watch everyday just to hear what you and Wolf have to say about what's going on around this crazy country. You always make us smile...

When I log on to my computer, go to the Cafferty File and find he isn't in today. Damn!

Watching crooked politians steal from our children ..... Watching foreign national funded political action committees pay legislators to direct policy of the USA that is not in our best interest.

politicians!and the news media!

Republicans and the way they defeat Democrats no matter what foul things they do themselves. Nothing else comes close.

Stress and more stress: Trying to find a job in a jobless economy, 9.8% unemployment, unemployment benefits have run out for hundreds of thousands of jobless workers desperately trying to find a job, the senate is dragging it's feet on a UI extension bill, & the lack of sustained media coverage on the entire matter. Why? Decent, hardworking people from all walks of life have lost their jobs through no fault of their own & unemployed workers are HURTING & facing catastrophic hardships as they exhaust their UI benefits. For crying out loud, Chicago loosing it's bid for the Olympics gets more media blitz.

I think most people cause their own stress. I avoid it at all costs. You can not change the world Jack your just a speck in a sea of people. Most people with problems have stress because they do not deal with the problem and it is allowed to fester. You only go around once in this short life. Don't sweat the small stuff.

My biggest stress is money, family, health and the state of the world, but not necessarily in that order!

Hope you liked that, Jack!

Jack, my biggest cause of stress is the alarming rate at which this country is backsliding in terms of equality. From the attempts to deny homosexuals the same rights that heterosexuals enjoy, to the xenophobia expressed by entirely too many people against Muslims who never did anyone any harm, to the resurgence of the N-word in common discussion and the widespread racial hatred of the man we elected to run our country, bigotry is making a comeback in a big way. It's a horrible trend that speaks ill of us as a people, and it needs to be curbed with a quickness.

Walmart stalkers. Mall rat stalkers. Idiots in general.

My personal stress never last long because I chose to face it since my body reacts quickly and I do listen to my body because I wish to live old and healthy!

My societal stress is another question! I stress about the ignorance in people from not accepting scientific facts. Ignorance also creates conditions where people end up being sheep and followers by giving away their freedom of thoughts and coherence to universal humanities values because ignorance creates a judgmental society stuck in stagnant water...and with actual climate change it creates a terrain with no water i.e. ignorance creates a harsh societal soil that puts at risk all our own and others brain functions to see more of evolution and of humanity and not less of it!

The U.N. did a study a number of years ago that concluded the greatest threat to mankind is not natural disasters, nuclear threat, financial markets, but the greatest threat is each other.

My biggest stress is how our culture has changed to greed, ego, instant gratification, loss of virtue, and the continual contempt and fear we project through our misguided and one sided ideologies.

We must embrace our differences and become as one as we were meant to be.

Meat. I am afraid it's going to eat me before I can eat it.

being laid off. just today....joining the ranks.
god bless america.

Jack,
My biggest cause of stress is wondering if Americans today can still get it together like my parents' generation did after the Great Depression.
Their innovative spirit and "can do" attitude that put men on the moon has been replaced by outsourcing and "si se puede".
The World Trade Center is still a crater in New York and in California, infrastructure is crumbling.
Let's get out of the Middle East and save America FIRST!
Rory Murray
San Bernardino, CA

The biggest cause of stress has got to be petty office politics, gossip, and constant complaining of coworkers and supervisors. I just want to clock in, do my job, then get out of there. But, too much of my time has been used to deal with hostile work environment and pointless meetings. With all the belitteling nagging and mindless chatter, you would think I was married to the job. Please, just let me do my work.

I am a 7 year survivor of the same brain tumor that just killed Kennedy. I am called a miracle because no one has ever survived a glioblastoma multiforma. Google: "Welcome to Your Own Wake". I only care about leaving my 6 adult offspring and 7 grandkids. That's stress. By the way, I am on Medicaid and have never had a problem or paid one dime for prescriptions, MRIs, or anything. That's great but the whole thing sucks the wad. MONEY? forget it, no problema.

I no longer have stress in my life. A few years ago I came to the conclusion that if I wanted to live to retire I needed to learn to control the stress in my life. I had to learn not to worry about things over which I have no control. I had to learn to give to God those things that were problems for me that I could not fix and not take them back from God when He doesn't deliver according to my timetable. I also had to learn that the best medication I could take was no medication. So, I tossed all my meds, prayed, and started out on my journey of change. Change did not happen overnight but over time and with lots of reminders to myself I changed my patterns and behaviors and I am now retired and very happy. I just don't let stress into my life. When something happens significant I do what I can and leave the rest to God. He never fails me. You too can destress your life...john

Jack, my biggest cause of stress is enduring the seemingly endless slew of commercials on CNN.

Sarah Palin.

My biggest cause of stress is partisanship among our elected officials in Washington DC, primarily, although this has infected almost every aspect of our culture. It used to be that disagreements led to discussion and compromise. Now it seems that disagreements lead each party to want to destroy the other. We, as a people, seem to have lost our talent for practical compromise. As a result, we are stuck, and this makes me frightened for future generations.

The fear of losing my job. And because I'm under water on my mortgage, I don't feel like I have the flexibility to look for jobs in other cities.

Democrats and the leftist media.

Lucille Stanziale- Weehawken, NJ

My biggest fear is getting sick and testing my health insurance coverage. I pay one thousand dollars a month for my family of 6 and that is not include dental. Guess whose house is dark on Halloween.

My biggest cause of stress is unemployment. I was laid off in November 2008, right after I had bought an engagement ring and proposed. I've gone from a happy new Groom-to-be, to downright desperate to make ends meet with my brand new bride, with no job prospects on the horizon. Some way to start a new life.

Stress? Let's see. I'm almost 67 and still need to work full time at a stressful job. My boss is crazy so I could get fired anytime. I'll never get to retire because the so-called greatest generation wants all the benefits they "deserve" but apparently no other generation except theirs worked hard. I hope I don't get sick and I hope my boss doesn't realize that I'm too old to do my job effectively. Stress? Hell no. What me worry?

My girlfriend. Or ex-girlfriend. Depending on the week.

Not having a job! THAT'S what stresses me!

Defiantly money... but that's the way that it is supposed to be. Without money, one can not survive in this world. That's what we need to buy goods and services. It's also the motivating factor in why I get up in the morning and go to work. Without work, there's no money.

On the flip side, I sure don't need to be buying half the crap that I buy. If I could control my spending, living only within my means, a great deal of stress would be eliminated in my life. To do so, I need to turn my back to years of learned consumerism and the constant bombardment of advertisements that promise happiness with each purchase.

My stress levels soar when I read comments on pages like that that lack common sense. I don't know when the next income check will arrive, or how I will handle my teenage girls growing up WAY too fast, or the fact that Chicago lost out on the Olympics – but that pales in comparison to my reaction to people who post nonsense on pages like these...where did I put my blood pressure medicine – o wait I can't afford that anymore...

No Job , No money , Health condition bank problems , tax issues... Senators debating how government is taking over everything & use it to justify to do noting to help individuals. I lot of talk but it would be entirely differnt story if they walked a mile in my shoes. Need I say any more.

The Democrats and Obama's far left agenda that is taking away our liberties and freedom!!!

Easy. The Media.. We are constantly bombarded by negativity. (if it bleeds it leads)...

My biggest cause of stress is not really acute. Its a looming stress ball that is the future for my children. I want them to not have any of the burdens, wrong turns, and mistakes that I have gone through. I know and get that that's just life but it still does not take away the worry. oh yeah......and death.

Trisha
Rumford, RI

My biggest source of stress is being an unemployed single mother, drastically looking for work without success. My unemployment benefits ran out the end of August and I do not have a clue as to how to keep a roof over my sons head and keeping him from going hungry, never mind paying the bills. I know that many others are in the same predicament and need the Senate to please move on passing bill S.1699 for Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation right away so all of us with this problem can keep our families together. Thank You

Trisha
Rhode Island

What cause me the most stress is when I hear these do nothing congressmen or senators say empty fraises like good for America or good for the American people. It should be whats good for my wallet!

Dave from NH.

I worked for a historic Philadelphia law firm. In March 2009, the staff learned that the partners would meet that afternoon to dissolve the partnership, throwing the staff out of work. And we learned about this from a headline on the front page of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Talk about a bad start to the morning.

Enough stress?

Lack of business opportunities for making a decent living.

My biggest stress is as one of the top earners just how much more I am supposed tp pay before I say the hell with it all, sell EVERY investment I own at a LOSS, and QUIT QUIT QUIT! I can live on what I already have and PAY VERY LITTLE TAXES FOR I EARN ZERO!

I was laid-off February 26. The biggest stress in my life is the fear that I'll never get another job paying anywhere near what I used to make. I haven't even had an interview yet and have already had to dip into my 401k to pay my bills. I just hope if this stress causes me to have a heart attack that I'll have it before my COBRA runs out.
Teri
Palm Coast FL

Jack,
I'm at work typing this looking over my shoulder. You got it..it's my job and this economy. I want out but it's hard finding another job.
Aaryck

For me it's Fox TV, the entertainment channel that is not so entertaining. Fair and balanced, drives me fairly insane and unbalanced. How does their audience by into such a lie? It makes me want to SCREAM!!

Republicans! Do I really have to explain why?

Work and the utter LACK of respect from management that comes with most jobs in America these days....

Jack,
The lack of civility among elected officials, the constant expression of hatred toward public officials coupled with the media's ability to manipulate the minds of Americans have caused me so much stress and anxiety that I'm about ready to leave for another country.

Work, pure and simple. Work took the best years of my life. Work essentially has ruined my life. I think of all the things I could have done, given a certain amount of money, if I hadn't had to work all these years. Now that I'm 70 and retired, my advice to young people is try and find some legal way to make money without actually working. Like my old grandad used to say, "whenever you have to account for your time to someone, you have no freedom".

Joe from New York

My biggest cause of stress is health... My family's health and mine. Money is also a source of stress especially during these uncertain times when no one knows how long they have a job.

Healthcare. I am a teacher and with the best insurance that our district offers, plus an extra $400 per month we have a maximum out of pocket expense of $6,000 per person, per year. So if something bad happened to my family, me, wife, child, I could be out $18,000 not including my monthly payment. I have to get a colonoscopy this year and it will cost me $2,000 out of pocket because it is coded as "diagnostic" not "preventative." WHat a joke of a system.

The Obama Administration and the amaturish way they are handling everything from the economy to foreign policy. By the time he's done, we won't recognize this country and that causes me the most stress. The stress of knowing that my children won't do better than I do and know one is willing to call this man child you call president on the carpet.

My biggest stress issues are politics, misinformation, lies, and the media's sway over the population. The citizens of the USA and the world are so inundated with misinformation and lies that we've either become completely disenfranchised or scared to death that what we hear, see, and read are true to the point of creating new phobias. As a result, I am all but completely turned off by the above-stated issues.

Jack,

My constant worry is the possibility of losing my job. Many companys are still sending jobs off shore. There's no media attention but it's still happening every day.

Arlene in Atlanta

I am extremely stressed being suddenly laid off from Beaumont Hospital because the Hospital is suffering in this Michigan Depression. Workers are being laid off left and right all over Michigan. I lived in Michigan 52 years and I am concerned with so many losing their retirement, savings, homes. I am finding it hard to respect a Government that is not really connected to the hardship of being laid off.

My biggest source of stress is seeing hare-brained extremists, left wing radicals and committed communists and socialists all sharing power with the President of the United States.

Never happened before...won't ever happen again!

Of course it is money. I am supposed to be on a medical retirement, but after using up retirement savings on health care, rising costs of day to day living, cut backs in just about everything that California once provided to us, I am now forced to try to find full time work. Almost impossable in this market.
I had great hopes when the dems got in the WH, we would see trickle down to main street. Nothing!
This is not the country I grew up in, and not the change I voted for.

Sarah Palin in the news . . .

Jack,

I love Willie Nelson's voice and his song. There is something real about people connecting back to their land and claiming their right to healthy living close to home! This shows where the american dream exist. Farms can exist in rural regions but with science they can also exist in cities!

About my previous note the belief in science does not take away any other belief that everyone has the right to have : instead they should co exist! Have a good weekend everyone!

Jack,,,,my biggest stress....Not having a job for way to long....due to this economy.....I'm an unemployed Information Technology worker...with 10+ years experience that started a business, and have no access to Stimulus, nor unemployment benefits.
Something has to change in this country and fast....

Caring for a disabled child (I have 2 with moderate Autsim)
and knowing that its a life long effort. The worries about who will
take over once I'm gone is tremendous. With the state of the economy and with social services cut backs that just makes it all that much more worrisome as well. I do the best I can, but I lose many a night's sleep over it!

My biggest source of stress is my day to day work which I know seems spoiled with so many people just wanting a job right now. As an attorney, I spend my days arguing with people which is not the person I am nor want to be. There is tremendous pressure to achieve results and not make any mistakes. I probably should have chosen a different career but as my husband is currently out of work, I am the sole provider for my family so I do not have the option of changing careers at this point in time.
-Carrie in Sacramento, CA

Managing type 1 diabetes for a 6 year old. It's a lot more complicated than "just give her insulin." First, how much insulin and when? The formulas don't always work correctly. Exercise is a wildcard (but important). Sometimes I have to leave work at a minute's notice. (Glad my boss understands). Sometimes I'm up middle of the night because the medical equipment failed. It goes on and on.

I think the biggest stress item on the agenda is all the negativity you see daily on the news. Wouldn't it be great if you had a few channels on TV that only stressed positive innovations or events daily that you could sit back and smile about. Even most of the movies they have on TV are fighting, killing, etc.. I remember the day when you could watch a movie and you may end up sobbing at the end of the movie but it was still of a positive nature.Made you feel good Huh!!

My #1 cause of stress is not being able to take care of my family because of money...

Listening to Obama promise us the moon and deliver us nothing. Tired of a biased media slanting reality. I want the family travel budget of the Obamas! Why are we paying for all these family vacations. Bush was bad but at least he stayed home!

No raise in five years, property taxes and utilities increasing every year without fail...hmmm, what do you think?

I'm 71 years old and satisfied with my health insurance. My biggest source of stress is that I'll be forced into a government mandated health plan. I don't want a health plan that's government controlled like Amtrak or the U.S. Postal Service.

My biggest cause for stress is Obama. while he is spending our tax dollars flying to copenhagen acting like a giddy chearleader. , my son is in Iraq living on limited food rations and dirty water. Maybe he could get Miss America to run the country while he wastes our money doing honey do's for Michele. Pat from colorado

My biggest source of stress has been my wife's sister. She is a single mother of two and takes care of their elderly mother.

She took a big loss in pay about 3 years ago. Since then, we have bailed her out several times. We loan her money for groceries, and occasionally get called to come pay her electric bill and water bill.

We always feel obligated because of my mother in law.

Gradually, we have tried to encourage her to make the tough decisions, and tried to wean her off the money flow as we can barely afford to live like this.

So basically, we hide from her every chance we can. When we see her coming, we think ut oh...that girl wants some cash.

So we have our own bailout plan going here.

actually # 1 is listening to the lying democrats. They drive me nuts

My biggest cause of stress is the state of America because the middle class has been sold up the river and only half of us have noticed it.

Cutting my grass once a week in Florida.

My biggest cause of worry is my health. Only in my early twenties, I have been denied insurance for two pre-existing conditions: acne and GERD (gastroesopheal reflux disease). This is pretty laughable considering how common both of these are. I worry that the only way I will be able to get good health care is to work for the government!

Having my job outsourced overseas. I can't believe this topic hasn't received more attention. So many manufacturing jobs are being outsourced....what is the government doing to help discourage this?

I'm so sick and tired of American politics, it makes me sick at my stomach. We should be ashamed of ourselves and STOP listening to our bone-headed politicians!!

There are three things that stress me out.

Money is number one, of course.

The Birthers is second. These are truly frightening people. The new movie "Zombieland" is about them, I believe. Birthers seem to be more dangerous that anyone might suspect. There was a Facebook survey, done by a birther nut, who asked if Obama should be assassinated. Thank God it was removed almost immediately.

Terrorist attacks is the third thing. Invisible bombs is their latest contribution (drug mules swallow drugs to get through customs and al Queda terrorists are swallowing bombs to blow up people).

Fun stuff, huh?

My biggest concern is the scarcity of reasons for hope. It’s not that I see the glass half empty but the fact that I just haven’t received any piece of good news in such a long time……..

I worry about the money. Right now I am unemployed paying for health insurance out of pocket and I am on disability. I am also a single mother of a child whose father pays little to no childsupport. The state of the world is such that I am looking for work in order to minimize my anxieties and stress levels, despite the fact that I am not healthy enough to go back to work. Sadly, I can only forsee things getting worse before they get better and recovery of the economy taking a very long time. It is a personal sacrifice I will have to make to my own health and perhaps an additional stressor I will have to take on to relieve an even bigger stressor elsewhere.

My biggest cause of stress? MY WIFE. We don't have money and that causes us stress but the reason we don't have money is not because we can't make money, it's because she can't let me go to work overseas where i get offers to make 4-5 times more than what am making here. To top it all off she can;t find a job to help me. This is not a one income economy.

Stressed Man
Colorado.

The state of the world. I believe that it's greed that affects the world today. People currently have a form of greed inside them and would exact that greed when given an opportunity. If we were to be taught at a young age not to be greedy in any way, then perhaps we can have a better world for the future generations.

My biggest cause of stress is money,because I am a student and I am not sure how I will be able to pay for my education.Money is getting less and less while the price of getting a complete education is getting more and more.

My biggest stress is money and the down turn of the economy. Its getting harder to juggle school and support a family so priorities have to be revised which means leaving your lifetime goals to support your family which even gets worse when you get laid off work. The bible says money is the root of all evils, so I guess u see what the world is prevailed with, MONEY..

... that the insurance companies and BIG buisness controls our congress in washington DC (and state & local elected officals) and not the common wealth.

Jack,

What stresses me most is that I fear my health insurance going away and me not being able to get my Viagra.

Jack that's simple: money. Why? Because I don't have any.

It's got to be money. Having more money buys you better health care and thus better health. As a college graduate who makes less than $20,000 a year, I can't afford any more than "disaster" coverage. I wish I could say my family was my number one stress, but it is hard when your working paycheck to paycheck.

Jeff
Athens, GA

At 83 years old, HEALTH is my prime worry. Where are the cures for cancer, heart disease, old age, memory loss? Where is the forever young pill? What happened to DNA therapy to grow new organs and body parts? Is science holding back because if we had such the world would collapse under its own weight.

The corrupt politicians in Washington wasting our money.

Jack Biggest stress for me is the hate America and Republicans are showing Obama, Obama bought us from great depression to better encomy. America has forgotten the Alamo and how bad Regan and Bush has put us in terrible encomic situation.

Jack,

Another deployment! After three tours I'm a bit stressed about when the next one will be.

Stress is weakness leaving the body – We do what needs to be done.

God bless America!

Jay

I have no job, twins in college, and my nation's Congress is awash in corporate cash so I won't be getting a checkup anytime soon. So of course I'm worried... will Brad and Angelina break up!?

The state of the world is my biggest worry, with financial systems all across the globe failing and with inflation out of control it is clear that things are going poorly, not only with our country but also with the rest of the world. Although the stress isn't made very appearant, it is something that I think more people SHOULD be stressed out about if they arent already.

The biggest source of stress for me is the economy. My ex has decided she can't make it out there in this economy on her own. Now she wants to come back home with my daughter. Daughter ,OK. Wife, NO.

Will I have any money left after paying all the new taxes and fees in Taxachussettes.

Donald
Plymouth, MA

Jack,

What stressesme the most? The unexplainable unfairness and greedness of the citizens of this worlsd. It it just mind blowing that we live in a globe where peole die of hunger in some region while too much consumption is the main cause of all sort of health complications in another, and noone appears to have noticed it. If you raise anything that remotely resumble to raise such an issue, you are the most dangerous socialistic mind person ever ... Just mind blowing

Stress? My husband has been in Chap. 11 bankruptcy for over a year with no end in sight. We've listed our home, with no buyers in sight. I have nightmares about driving a truck stuck in reverse heading for a cliff. Where's the relief for us?
Nancy, King George VA

Jack, I believe the rapid decline of basic human decency stresses me the most. In fact, the other stressors seem to be dependent upon the lack of it. The current economic situation could well be placed at the feet of an immoral few, Concerned about your health care, lately? Some privileged CEO could care less about the human cost...he knows how it goes,,..not his problem. I don't want to sound preachy...that's not me, but if we could all just take a deep breath and make a conscious effort to do what we KNOW to be right in our daily dealings....well...it couldn't hurt.

Jack, Stress its not having good health care. We pay $360.00 per month for Blue Cross/Blue Shield supplement, plus what they deduct from OURSocial Security for Medicare. I just mailed a check today for $1462.00 to Mayo Clinic, Mailed a $636.00 a couple of weeks ago. I just came home from the pharmacy where the doctor called in a prescription, which they have to order, and it will be $400.00 for 30 day supply. neither BC/BS nor medicare pays for our prescriptions. Does that not tell you that we need health care reform to help get rid of our stress. And Mayo is much better then most places. Baucus and Grassley etC sit in Washington trying to kill the health care bill while the people that have worked most of their lives struggle. THAT'S STRESS

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs....With them, the money will come....without them, 2012 is looking more and more of a possibility

I think I stress myself out from worrying too much, but the mother-in-law is a close second.

Jack, to me, even over money and other problems in the world is family. With our family spread over hundereds of miles, there is realy no way to monitor them and make sure they are safe. The world is a big place!

I am wondering what happen to getting America back to work, I think health care is important but what good is it if you starve to death before they pass it. I have never taken free health care in my life and will dye before I ever do. Give me a job and I will have health care, a roof over my head and a feeling of self worth. The US GOVERMENT needs to relize that without Americans there is no America, or do they plan to out source this too?

Political decadence in the US. Besides renaming "french fries" to "freedom fries" what has been the singular CONSTRUCTIVE achievement of the US Congress & Presidents within the past 10 years? We don't even have the clout to be on Round 2 for IOC's voting for 2016 Olympics. Yet, it's the insouciance of the citizenry that stresses me the most!

Definitely money. I worked hard, saved for retirement, and did everything that I was supposed to do as an american citizen.

Within a year, the banks cleaned me out with legal robbery. First my salary was cut, then 9 months ago I was let go and have not found a job since. Now I'm begging my mortgage company to work with me on smaller payments so I won't go into foreclosure. All my payments would currently come from unemployment.

I have a few friends overseas asking me to move thier country so I can work at thier company. I might just do that since a lot of our companies have moved to another country anyway.

For months now, I have been selling photos for $10 a shot so I can keep up and make my car insurance payment every 2 months so it won't lapse.

Also, I have no health insurance and can't afford it if I can find a company that will accept a pre-existing condition. It is cheaper for me to fly overseas for medical attention and pay out of pocket, then it is for me to get it in the states.

Does this sound familiar? Yes it is, because millions are in the same fix. We've been screwed by the very institutions we have been asked to trust.

Jack, I'm not stressed because of money. I'm more stressed over the bickering between the two parties. that always leads this country in parisan cycle. while average americans ponder over what bill to pay next and what job to apply for. our so called representatives argue over health care. specifically government run health care. how ridiculous, they them selves leave at the expense of the government. its time to stop being manipulated by conservatives or liberals but rather by common sense. God given freedom.

Money, because I need money in today world. Money is what make the world go round. Money to get out of debt, to eat healthy food, money to provide for my family. The world, well that hasn't change much. But if I had money I could donate and start a homeless shelter... If I had money!

That there is such a widening gap in this country between the haves and have-nots.....

And that that there is so much political hatred on both sides these days.....

Can you say Revolution or Civil War?? Hope I'm wrong.....

Well, Jack, I'm 57, divorced and have not been able to find a job in a year and my Cobra coverage ends next April. I've got pre-existing conditions and won't be able to get health insurance. And my unemployment benefits have been cut by $200 a week and I'm now losing my home. So I worry about being able to rent a plce to live.

Other than that, life is good!

Right or wrong, lack of money it is. At least with money you have some power and you can afford to try to fix whatever might be wrong. I know that's a pretty shallow but I can't help it.

I have to limit the amount of politics (especially political "news" reporting) to which I expose myself. The slack-jawed idiocy of most of Congress, the mainstream media, and too much of the American public is just too much to take sometimes - particularly as regards the current healthcare "debate." It's really very simple, people: the health insurers and pharmaceutical companies make a lot of money - a LOT of money - on the illness and misfortune of hard-working Americans. In turn, those companies give money - LOTS of money - to legislators, Republican and Democrat alike; as well as the news outlets that are supposed to do the work of a fair, unbiased Fourth Estate, but don't. Thus, it's in the best interest of the companies, said lawmakers, and corporate media outlets to maintain the status quo - and, therefore, keep the money flowing, American people be darned. And if someone can't afford health care, well, that's just too darned bad. (Better they die and reduce the surplus population.) It obviously doesn't matter if society goes down the drain, as long as said companies. lawmakers, and media outlets squeeze as much money out of the country as they can before it all goes to heck. This short-sighted, reprehensible, immoral greed is the root of most of the stress in my life. Greed (and the spreading of lies and misinformation to cover and/or justify that greed) is quite literally going to be the death of us all.

Because my husband and I have great health insurance which has just
recently covered his Bone Marrow Transplant for luekemia at age 63 we are not worried about money for us. But two of our four children are out of work at this time. This is extremely stressful to us and we are helping both of our children through these difficult financial times. These adult
children have suffered emotionally and mentally through the long
period of unemployment. This has been extremely stressful!

Political decadence in the US. Besides renaming “french fries” to “freedom fries” what has been the singular CONSTRUCTIVE achievement of the US Congress & Presidents within the past 10 years? We don’t even have the clout to be on Round 2 for IOC’s voting for 2016 Olympics. Yet, it’s the insouciance of the citizenry that stresses me the most!

Mr . Cafferty, being on Soc. Sec. of course my biggest worry is money, especially since our illustriouse president did away with our Soc. Sec. cost of living rise starting in Jan. of 2010 Talk about a fixed income!! you got that right!. Thanks for the memories, you help make Mr. Blitzer's show really interesting, thank you.

The time and intensity of the the work required to actually not have to worry about money. the money's great if you are smart enough, hard working enough and can handle the pressure > and have been all three for a long time.

The biggest stress is the amount of incredibly socialistic ideas comming from our president. Why is he trying to choke America with debt? I realize his father being a communist has probably influenced his thinking, but the biggest issue likely is his lack of experience on nearly all of the issues a qualified president would need in order to deal effectively with these decisions It was inappropriate for him to run for president, when now the country is being taken for a ride. No wonder Chavez thinks Obama is fine. Chavez is no stranger to communism and socialism.

My biggest cause of stress is certainly the problems of the world and, in particular, Americans' response to these problems.

As a university student, I constantly see other youth living a life separate from the free world. If this is our future, I am worried. Time, money, and effort are wasted as we live indulgent lives separate from reality. As the world becomes a closer community, we must learn to work together to address the global problems we face.

People have to stop choosing to be so ignorant. People have to stop ignoring injustice. As time goes on, we will not be able to live in such isolation. We will have to take action and will not be able to live in our own seemingly perfect, separate bubble. No man is an island.

As Ben Franklin said, "We must all hang together or most assuredly we will all hang separately.”

Logan Krusac
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

Jack, I'm not stressed because of money. I'm more stressed over the bickering between the two parties. that always leads this country in parisan cycle. while average americans ponder over what bill to pay next and what job to apply for. our so called representatives argue over health care. specifically government run health care. how ridiculous, they them selves live at the expense of the government. its time to stop being manipulated by conservatives or liberals but rather by common sense. God given freedom.

I just graduated with a $160K degree and despite applying to 2-3 jobs a day, the best I can get is an unpaid internship. I´m living at home, relying on my parents, and I worry about how much longer I will have to ask my Dad, who has already given me so much, to keep supporting me.. To add to it, he also supports his unemployed brother-in-law & brother whose business is going down the tank..

its easy jack,

its the cowardly, unamerican, always-complaining, no-solution GOP. it is completely unbelievable jack, that a group of people could root AGAINST the olympics coming to their country, and more unbelievable that they could so wholehearteldly relish in the failure of the President of the United States. Sooner or later they will have to realize that a majority of Americans chose not to "Go Rogue" and we chose this guy to lead us. As this will probably take a long time, hopefully the dems take a cue from Rep. Grayson, and tell the "nattering nabobs of negativism" where they can go.

Working with people that do the lease possible and you have to work harder then you should have too.

My Job.....or at least it used to be my job....I got my pink slip last Friday when my position was eliminated....I am 60 years old but at least I have health insurance for the next month and two weeks severance pay. Unemployment checks will pay about half my monthly expenses.

My savings might last until I can officially retire in two years and have medicare.

My new stress is listening to our elected fools in Washington play partisan politics....guess I will just have to "die quickly" while I wait for national healthcare.

I would say it's the reaction the masses will have when they are totally tapped out. For instance, what will Joe College resort to after running out of options as inflation spikes and the US dollar tanks? All of his life he's done the right things, lived within his means, graduated college and worked fifty hour weeks. Every day he reads about someone or some company being bailed out. Yet, he has almost exhausted his unemployment benefits, 401k, IRA and other savings and has been unable to find work for nearly two years. Will he try robbing or kidnapping my wife or child? What will Joe College do?

My greatest fear is what I would have to do to Joe College.

the life and death 'attack' attitude, the media and the rest of us have and display toward those with opposing attitudes. The total lack of respect shown ( or not shown toward others opinions)
Nancy
Colorado

biggest source of stress? i don't know, you pick. lack of financial stability (litterally 9 dollars in the bank right now), molested minor staying with us for safety sake, i'm a programmer working in travel (an industry absolutely smashed by the economy) so i could loose my job at the drop of a hat, crazy (litterally) mother-in-law, horrible sleep, anger, depression, incompetant coworkers (not direct coworkers), empty fridge, skyrocketing bills... this list just goes on and on... no one particular item is the "biggest source." all could probably be handled fairly easily individually, but with all of this piling up, i'm about to fill the tank on the '73 Chevy and drive till it stops, and start anew there...

By biggest cause of stress is financial security, next comes the health of my family. However, eventhough we allow ourselves to carry these burdens of stress around, we should all be taking a step back and understand that in the bigger picture we are but specs of dust floating through the universe...let's stop stressing and enjoy our time here.

Not having medical insurance. The Republicans and Democrats who got paid big money from the Medical Health Insurance Companies to kill the Public Option. Of course all the Insurance Companies are laughing all the way to the bank by now.
And all those inhumane tea party people who destroyed my chance for having any medical health insurance I can afford.
And thanks to all of the above that means that medical health insurance will be mandatory, but I will not be able to afford it.
Thank you so much every one for taking the last chance I had of having medical health coverage.
I guess I should start packing because I will have to sell my house to buy medical health insurance at the rate they charge. But wait, my home's value had dropped to $298,000.00 yet my mortgage is at $350,000.00. But when I originally had gotten my mortgage the value of my home used to be at $450,000.00.
Now how am I suppose to pay for health insurance I cannot afford when it will be mandatory?

This President is frustrating. Our media in America is frustrating. I just can't wrap my mind around the two co-existing entities!

dear Jack,
re your recent "stress"theme, here´s my take: its a cultural and linguistic issue. While it may "come as no surprise" that statistically most peoploe worry,principally, about "money", the reality is that "money" in the USA stands for pretty much eth , including health. Otherwise said, if u have money you can afford health,eg. In Italy, the culture of "hard capitalism" is un unknown concept. by this,of course, I do not mean there is a "hardcore socialist" perception,either. People just perceive their world,their country,and their familiar circumstancs vey differently. "La salute e´ tutto" and ""La famiglia e´ la cosa piu´importante"are some of the guiding principles. Its a complex issue, of course, but my thought is that allthis survey says is that people, globally, want to be ok andwant their families to "beok" -call it money or health, I beleive they all have the same proiorities.
Sorry if this, for the sake of brevity, ha landedup soundingsomewhat inarticulate.
isabella t.
ps)i think the "Cafferty File " is BRILLIANT!

Jack, our biggest stress factor is health care. My husband and I spend
over $22,000 a year on health care...$1,471 a month to BC/BS of Georgia premiums for 65% coverage, plus the co-pays. This does not leave us much to leave on...you do the math...can't wait for
medicare or any help? might have to move to more clement climes...

Jack,

Where do I start: How about these?

1. Out of work for 21 months.
2. Hoping my bank doesn't kill my credit cards to survive.
3. Hoping I find a job before I have sell my house or have it foreclosed upon.
4. Watching Congress act like self-serving jerks while they deal with heath care reform.
5. Any my favorite, Congress only wants to extend unemployment benefits in 27 states, because it is fically responsible. Meanwhile, those who are suffering in the other 23 states are being told sorry.

I don't know about you Jack, but when Congress has given away $2 trillion to states, banks, car companies, etc. and say that is fiscally responsible; but, at the same time they do not have $3 billion to help suffering people on unemployment; this is just flat wrong. Congress, were the ones who created the economic disaster by deregulating everything in sight, and the world is paying the price. It shows how our government is a failure on a grand scale. Trillions of dollars for Wall Street and State Governments and they won't help the unemployed. Shameful.

Finally, Chicago lost the Olympics probably because the United States help mastermind the world economic nightmare. Why should the US be rewarded while so many are suffering because of out own nation's greed?

Nancy Pelosi, I keep having this dream that she gets my savings account pin number and cleans out my bank accounts along with the rest of the country. She finds it easy to spend someone or should I say everyone elses money.

My biggest worry is the man in the white house and democratic controlled congress. They work for us, but you would never know it by their actions. Radical and immoral. Workers of iniquity. You reap what you sow. God help us.

Like most everybody else, money. I stopped worried about my health when I lost my health insurance and stopped going to the doctor. I don't think as much about global warming since it will only save me from buying heating oil. I don't have much family left and they can take care of themselves. What worries me even more are these "conservative" politicians who want to take more of it away by mandating us to buy overpriced private health insurance and denying us a public option.

My bigest fear is what is going to be cut from medicare, i;am 66 and worry about this very much. Linda

My biggest stress is money and the down turn of the economy. Its getting harder to juggle school and support a family so priorities have to be revised which means leaving your lifetime goals to support your family which even gets worse when you get laid off work. The bible says money is the root of all evils, so I guess u see what the world is prevailed with, MONEY..!

Nothing stresses me out. After I lost everything in my divorce years ago I learned that no matter what happens I will be fine. I love the sun on my face, swimming on a hot summer day, a great day of skiing on a powder day and going on bike rides with my daughter. I like a good barbeque and drinking a couple of beers too!

It's the aditude of the republican party and the right wing radicals who are begining to want our country to fail rather than eccept a democratic president. This and I quote"a former republican" I am disgusted with thier un American aditude.

Wearing the wrong shoes. no joke. It is scary working in the professional world after you graduate college and all you are used to wearing is flipflops.

Jack, As a small business owner, the economy causes me the most stress. I watch CNN and FOX every day to compare talking heads and wish for some encouraging news. It is depressing to listen to reporters and politicians spin their daily economic reports when the vast majority of them are millionaires or are paid hundreds of thousands each year to tell us what we have always known....we've been screwed and we're going to be screwed some more.

The Congress,and Obama.

My greatest stress is my fear that Obama will finish the destruction of free enterprise, together with wrecking an outstanding health care system in the guise of fixing health insurance.

Somehow, profit is now revered in Russia and is branded as evil in the US. "Big business increase their profits and the cost of the American public"? GROW UP!
Big business can only be IN business by producing something the public willingly buys!
What's the other way to make money? To convince government to taking money from others and give it to you – for something that people WOULD NOT be willing to pay for!

Those who clamor for health care reform are those who want "someone else" to pay for their health care. And they think that putting government in the middle will help? Again, GROW UP!

That the CEO of Bank of America can double my interest rate on my credit card, for no reason, tank their stock and then walk away with a 53 million dollar retirement package......apparently, nothings changed!!

My other big fear is SARA PALIN ever becoming president of the UNITED STATE'S OF AMERICA. Linda

my last comment being an obvious attempt, feeble though it may have been, at humor...

Jack, My biggest causes of stress are frustration and miscommunication.

My frustration stems from our congress' (that affects all of our lives), makes so little use of Occam’s razor; the principle that ‘the simplest answer is most often correct.’ Another way to say this might be, dont' make a simple thing complicated.

All the hoopla over the public option and healthcare reform in townhall meetings for example and in the halls of congress. Dont' like the public option? Then don't take the public option. Simple.

The miscommunication comes in as a byproduct of NOT applying Occam's Razor, and only encourages and incites more miscommunication, which only adds to my frustration. This is all very frustrating jack...

my biggest stress is that the senate and congressional bodies of our government have become so polarized that their ablilty to promote the good for Americans has been lost.. They should be acting in the best interests of the American people, whom they govern. Instead, they push away their responsibilities, become so self important, and lose the the insight of which they first started out their initial response to help the American society. They became corrupt in Washington, DC. They became self important, and forgot why they went there in the first place.

What causes me the most stress,having to worry about our children getting shot,beat up or killed by kids who's parents do not care or teach there children the difference between right or wrong and that violence is not the answer to there problems..

My country has completely changed in my life time. As a young girl I remember our country entering into World War two. And the pride we took in our country helping others at home and around the world. We as children were taught that God loved all children of the world and we prayed for our enemies. We should not blame the masses because a few are evil.
Well today is a much meaner United States than the one I grew up in.
I worry that my grandchildren's children will become as ugly as the media, and many other examples set around the US. I still believe people are lovable if we set the example. The half truths that are told are shameful.
Our own government Representatives bicker like children so they end up doing nothing but line their own pockets with the peoples tax money.
In the pledge of allegiance the one line...one nation under God...should read...one nation under capitalism.
We are a sick nation. When we take taxes from 95% of our people, send their jobs over seas, call them foolish if they are robbed with fees and interest for their homes, increase insurance premiums out of reach for the average wage earner, raise the cost of an education that it takes a life time to pay back, etc... and the last bit is...if you have anything left it will cost just that to lay you in your grave.
It's enough stress to keep me awake at night.

Oregon

Money, and a JOB to earn it!!! Only people that want to talk to you are those that have pigeon holed you based on your experience. Age discrimination is rampant. What in the world does a decent man have to do to find a salaried postion of any kind with benefits??? Networking, searching the net, all to no real avail so far......

Can't get unemployment as last position was commission only and they don't want to pay unemployment....I have exhausted savings. WHAT ABOUT MY FAMILY AND I? Don't have the money to go back to school to get retrained..... oh yeah....did I mention no health insurance???? Otherwise, I live a stress free lifestyle (lol).........

Stress is worrying how much longer my wife and I will have a roof over our heads. We have been living with her twin sister since February when the FDA shut down the pharmacuetical company that my wife was working for. Neither one on us are employed, and prospects are very slim. It's hard to sleep at night when you have no idea when she might ask us to leave. We would then take to our car, as it is worth you life to stay away from the homeless shelters here.

Cause of stree?
Same as it was when I was 16.
Not achieving one thing each day.(Not being an achiever)

And, not seeing my idea of health care reform.
Treat medical industry same as regulated public
utilities.
High wages/low costs
High dividends each quarter
Stock splits

The endless sound of suction ringing in my ears from the constant vacuum of truth being absorbed from existance long before we have a chance to ever encounter what it is- mostly for the sake of greed and the it's only child money- that devil of free will. that's stress and that's all that can be said of stress- nothing else matters.

Looking for gainful employment. Sure, it's the long hours that are stressful, and no pay, but to help others...is PRICELESS. Just wondering when those good deeds will turn and come my way?

Aidan from Mesa, AZ

The continual fear mongering, hate mongering and misinformation that is spewed from the GOP nonstop everyday. What stresses me is that people in this country are stupid enough to get behind these idiots.

Now that employers are using credit reports to screen for employment, I ar I'll never get a good job again because I have a poor credit score. Yes, I've made some mistakes in the past, as have many others, but should this keep us from getting a decent job? I have had excellent job evaluations – that is what should be used to determined if I'll be a good employee, not some stupid credit score. This smacks of discrimination.

Since I recently lost my job...finding a new one asap to support my family
has brought my strees level to the top of the list...prior to that it was Sarah Palin winning a Pulitzer....

The biggest cause of stress is not the lack of money itself, but rather the apparent contradictions that wealth produces in a assymmetric, capitalistic soceity such as ours. People have a form of coginitive dissonance in that they realize there are more important things than money, and yet every metric of success is intricately tied possession of more wealth, which upon attainment, somehow does not produce any more contentment or happiness.

They feel that they aren't performing optimally, if their income is lower. Yet, they remember the older generations were happier with less. They want to help fellow humans but, charity seems to perpetuate itself and not cure social ills. They are stuck with routine, have little control over change or government. They are told that capitalsim and democracy are the greatest values, and they realize that pure, holistic forms of neither exist in a practical world. The power of change and innovation is in their hands, but the inability to control and wield it is what frustrates and stresses them.

Not having enough money to patent a multi-billion dollar invention. It is sad how difficult it is to move forward in America even if you are rediculously intelligent.

too much of the month left after getting paid...sick kids...H1N1!

Jack, like millions of others, I'm sure: my awful boss who appreciates neither my work nor my person and the sales pressure at my job that goes beyond all boundaries of reason.

Jack,

You want to know what stresses me out? While I am luckier than most, (my house is paid for and I have cash in the bank), I am 46, college educated but not a graduate. I can't sell my home because it's worth way less than what I paid, unemployment here is close to 15%, and if I wanted to take a job here in the hotel or restaurant industry, (my profession), it would have to be as a dishwasher, not an upper level manager like I used to be. Our elected officials are selling us down the road on every issue.

My biggest source of stress is losing my home. I was laid off August of last year, I'm 51 looking for a job and I can't afford to pay my mortgage. My husband is self-employed, but he barely makes enough to pay most of our bills and the bills at his office. I never thought I'd be in this situation at this age. I've had very few interviews, but those have been over 100 miles away from home and those people don't want to hire me because they are afraid that the driving back and forth will be too much for me. I do not wish to live in another city just to get employed because my husband cannot move. I am at my wits end, I really expect to be on the streets soon and don't know what to do about it. I'm currently on unemployment, after working since I was 16, and I don't like it. I prefer to work to help my husband support our family.
Its shameful that our government has allowed its citizens to come to this. They bailed out automotive managers who screwed up their companies by making bad decisions, but can't lift a finger to get us jobs so we can work again.

Jack,
My biggest stress is helping to keep my father's small construction business afloat in this volotile economy. Because no one is spending money, whether it be in the private, commercial, or industrial sectors, sales are in the toilet. Yet rising health care premiums for our employees and the fact the IRS insists on slamming the little guys with penalty and interest for late payments made on employer tax responsibilities make for a grim outlook on surviving this recession. Factor in the difficulty that still exists when trying to obtain credit lines, commercial loans or even property refinances makes it impossible to "bridge the gap" and weather this economic storm caused by banks that don't want to help small business but are still operating largely because of our tax dollars. Small businesses have said it once and we'll say it again – where is our help, where is our tax amnesty, where is our bailout?

The incompetent clowns of both parties in Washington who are trying to govern this country.

People that rely on the our tax money to survive and those who vote to take more of it.

friends of mine who complain daily about things they cannot
control–they really get next to me. sometimes, I do not answer
the phone because I do not want to hear their complaints...

The palpable hate in America. When I saw the video of conservatives cheering when Chicago lost the Olympics bid I realized how much they really hate President Obama. It makes me sad.

Right now my biggest stress come from the state of our country.
Washington continues to spend money on what ever is thier fancy. Adding pork to every bill. We must stop thing about each state and think of our as a whole country. We need to reign in spending on what is not a need. We must get more jobs here even if it means protection for us.

Stress: after working TOO hard for next to nothing as an independent person :running from 2 violent country's , loosing everything ,starting again for the 3rd time in life when too old too cope after being attacked by 4 huge men in an armed robbery at home and dis-empowered in ones own life, never mind anthing greater than that , yet having to deal as an independent individual with illness,death, tsunami, paraplegic's, HIV people and poverty and no one cares they only pretend to whilst they continue being the predators! THEREFORE.

MONEY to prevent bad health so one can have medical of ones choice, to prevent more suffering and dis-comfort, fairness for the women and children and animals from men who so easily abuse and victimise women in their positions of power where wars ,armed robbers and violence are the controlling elements that NO-ONE wants ,yet thats what they live by. Where normal speach has become a crime and people who suffer are victimized by the UN-EVOLVED...and the enormous organisations, who could help more when disasters like tsunami etc desrupt life do nothing and are silent and dont help as they use others pain and suffering to make money for themselves .

I was release in May 2009 from the federal goverment and as of today I still can find a job and Iam falling behind in my house payment. Now the assistance I have been offered by Wells Fargo does not sound like they really wants to help. I received unemployment that is one third of what I used to make a week and they only offered to lower my payment by ten percent. on a temporary trial which I turn down. I discover that the goverment has put aside 75 to 100 bl dollars for the mortgage companies to cover their losses (if any) when they do loan modifications. So we bail out this banks and on top we secure their profits but still they want squezze the orange until it has no more juice. All I got left is pulp and they wanted as well as the skin. They can offer up to 2% interest in the loan modification but they wont tell you. I read the gov modification program and there is no trial period in it. Certainly I feel like simply looked the other way and let them take the home. It was easy for them to be bailout but they make it hard and very dishonest for us the citizens to get any help fromthem. I am still looking for work but so far no luck. I want to thank the banking industry for their greed. They are true americans.

The perpetual daily grind of doing my own creative accounting with my money to just even try to save after the rent, insurance, credit card, student loans, car payment, utilities, and not to forget food costs are paid off.

Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter, Michael Savage, etc., etc., etc., all the loons that support them, and capitalism (money) – there has to be another way to live this life.

Obama

My biggest cause of stress would be healthcare, but because of the crummy healthcare system my biggest cause of stress is money.

Science funding (actually, lack thereof) is going to put my husband and many other top scientists out of work. Among others... healthcare, education, unemployment..

Stress, I don't get stress out . If a person remains stressed they are

A In a situation where they haven't done what needs to be done to solve the stressful situation

B Don't understand what needs to be done to get them out of the stressful situation

C are in a situation where they have no control over the stressful situation but, and I say but, as long as they do everything in their power to solve the stressful situation, the stress will go away.

If that doesn't happen, then they need to look back to see what they did to cause the stressful situation and solve it before it happens.

All too often, people think that stress is a way of life because they don't understand what needs to be done to correct the situation and as a result are continually stressed.

Have a "unstressful" day.

SteveKJR

What is stress to me is Social Security ..Medicare and seeing the good???congress and president take it away and give to the ones who come into our country over a fence or water...I have worked all my life and paid Social Security when wages were low..but I paid..it was not given to me ...I worked!!!!! I was born in America and love my country.

People are the leading cause of stress. for god sakes they never shut up!

My biggest cause of stress is going to the doctor and not having benefits because I lost my last job because I actually used my benefits and several of us were replaced by temps. Now I have to pay out of pocket and my parents are going into debt trying to keep me alive. I went to the doctor the other day and paid in full simply to be sent to another doctor that won't see me unless I bring at least $200.00. Not to mention I have another colonoscopy due after having polyps snipped off 3 years ago and have a history of colon cancer on both sides of my family. I have a back that has fused itself together in a forward curve which is preventing me from doing the things I used to do like physical labor, train people, lift weights, etc. I'm an extremely hyper person and can't get my energy out now that I'm limited to the physical things I can't do. Now each year goes by and unless I hit the lotto, I'm completey out of luck and time. I'm only 41 years old but people say I look 25 but I certainly don't feel like it..

Jack,

My biggest cause of stress, is the craziness of Americans in todays world. What a horrible example we are setting for today and our future.. I have needs, yet America's needs are far greater.

Somehow we must re-learn to care for and care about each other as human beings. We must get back to the place in our hearts where we can agree to disagree ,without trashy anger and venomous words.

I don't believe our Founding Fathers would even recognize us as Americans, let alone Patriots!

Betty Thomas, Cincinnati, Ohio

Nashville Ray's comment. "Idiots, Jack, idiots. Why? There’s just too many of them. They drive, they vote and they generally believe everything they read on the internet or see on tv."
I agree with him.
Also, being from Brasil, I am not too convinced they are ready to accept events such as Olympics. There are lots of other issues they should work on for that beautiful nation.
Paulo, Julie's trainer
Tucson, AZ

Biggest cause of stress? I am a disgusted registered Republican and their actions, hypocrisy, and lies are causing my stress.

Watching both political parties fail the american people in every way imaginable. And listening to foolish people thinking government involvement in any private sector is a good idea. Like lambs to the future slaughter of everything that used to be america. The republicans screwed things up and now the democrats are screwing things up worse by trying to fix things when the best thing they can do is go home and let the american people fix it themselves. They are all idiots!

In the real world it is the chore of paying down the credit debt. In my fantasy world it is affording the ammo to hold a field day on political idiots from the whack job right

The current rate of troop deployment is affecting my husband, my children, my marriage, my finances, and most aspects of my life I have not mentioned. God willing he will be home for Christmas (the first time in three years). Bittersweet as it may be since he will turn around and leave again. Don’t get me wrong, I am proud of his choice of professions. This week has just been an extra rough one and I am currently drained.

The state of the world. It's sad how people go threw a lot of pain. 3rd world countries, blood diamonds, kids in sweat-shops, Tibet promblem, sex trade, smuggulars, rapist, etc... The list goes on. That's stressfull. If I had a wish it will to fix that. I still need money so I can help people but it takes love to do so sometimes. Something the cold world is without.

Lately, my biggest stress has been the fact that no one seems to know what socialism is. As a history teacher, I find it abhorrent that people actually think we live in anything that is remotely close to socialism. Even with all our trials and tribulations in this nation, we are extremely BLESSED to live in America and not places like the Congo, Chechnya, or Communist China. (a little alliteration for a Friday afternoon )

The realization that most Americans are stupid enough to buy into some of the hype that they do.

Driving on the mountain roads in Boulder County, CO gives me the most stress. The bicyclists believe their bikes are the equivalent of automobiles and have equal rights on these dangerous roads. These bicyclists will draft behind trucks, weave in and out of mountain road traffic, or cruise down the mountain road in the middle of the road. I have seen way too many close calls for these bicyclists to still be legally allowed on the roads. If there is an accident involving one of these crazy cyclists, then it will be the automobile driver's fault and not the crazy cyclist's.

All around us, every day, we see people making decisions based on what they have in the bank, or in their pocket. As an artist, I value the magazines I'll have to cut out of my budget, but they have to go. It worries me that these publications will now have to cut jobs if their circulation plummits. We're all going down in this whirlpool brought on by greedy fat cats. Has "competition" lowered the price of gas or brought around financial institutions? The whole system needs an overhaul, but who's going to do it?!?

My biggest worry is getting adequate health care attention by a spinal specialist. I have excellent health care coverage thru work but with a deteriorating lumbar spinal problem as a result of failed fusion 10 years ago I can't find a doctor who is willing to perform surgery. I've seen 7 neurosurgeons and 2 orthopedists and they all tell me that there is nothing they can do to provide "SIGNIFICANT" improvement. So I continue to get worse, getting to the point where I will soon be confined to a wheelchair, racked with pain from the waist down.

Additionally, 2 years ago I was rear-ended while sitting at a stop sign and now have 2 ruptured cervical discs that cause intense headaches, pain thru the neck, arms and hands with loss of grip and also can't find a doctor to help there. They only suggest fusion because our FDA is 15 years behind in the technology of artificial disc replacement and every year hundreds of people pay out of their own pocket to travel to Europe to have these procedures down using components that are manufactured right here in Sunnyvale, California. But for me I can't get the cervical spine repaired until my lumbar is repaired. So from head to toe I am in constant pain.

Many thanks and appreciation to our medical community for their continued support.

This mess that was left behind by Bush. I really don't believe Obama can fix eight years of mismanagement fast enough, so the ADD plagued Americans will ultimately blame him for it all. This is how we keep bouncing back and forth between Democrats and Republicans. In the end nothing meaningful gets done and our national debt gets bigger.

Jack,
The most stressfull thing for many Americans, is our corrupt, worthless,greedy government, I swear, if this crap continues, they will put an end to our once great country, the rich just can't continue to get richer without major problems within our country.
Carl in Illinois

Lack of work in the Tampa Bay area. I'm a corporate recruiter or at least I was. You know how bad the economy is when a recruiter can't get back to work. Just to make matter worse, an ex-wife divorcing her current husband and your kids caught in the middle 1600 miles away and being powerless without a job...

Our society in general. My middle class world has been turned upside down by drugs. Two smart and intelligent daughters lost in an eudcation system that has gone awry. Drugs to escape. Grandchildren being raised by grandparents. Congress owned by Lobbists. Where are the values? Where is the work ethic and pride?.
Universal Health Care?(All for one) Where is the UNITED states?

My biggest cause of stress is of course money as i have been unemployed for 16 months now and no relief in sight. I have applied to every company i can think of with nothing but turn downs or no replies. The economy is bad yes, but there are loads of companies out there hiring everyday. I was told by my last company, which i will not name as i'm afraid i'd get sued by them, but they had told me when i left for greener pastures that i would be hired back if i wanted to return, which i have been trying since last july 2008 to return. It's a funny thing, these companies tell you what you want to hear, but when it comes down to it, they lie like H-. Anyway Jack, maybe it's all because i'm an American living in the Philippines. Maybe that's why i'm not having any job offers, who knows.

well lets define what Stress is? difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension ! Also Stress can be also called Anxiety ! & i have a great antidote for Stress ! Its found in Gods word the Bible : Philippians 4:6 Also the Bible says Anxiety in the heart of man causes Depression : Proverbs 12:25 So back to the question ... lol For me it is PEOPLE that have NO HOPE after DEATH ! & its not really STRESS its more Grievious to me ! Money jobs Health ect is only Temporal ! Why worry about Temporal things? Trust & Faith in a Almighty GOD allows Stress & Anxiety to be @ a low level & any ! JESUS CHRIST is the worlds answers to Stress & Anxiety ! Not Religion who uses Jesus NAME to minipulate & control you & then Create MORE STRESS for you ... lol

Think about this
Obama / Congress need not be involved.

Stock brokage firm create huge 500 million share
(20.00 per share) company.

Ask hospitals if they want to participate. A hospital or a
few agree to be regulated. They lower costs. Able to
keep wages high because they can use part of the
money from the huge stock company.

Nobody really knows why we invested in public utilities
even though they lowered costs. But, we did.

Maybe it was because we views the investment as safe/secure.

WE really do need more than a two party system.

Jack, I lost my job one year ago. After 8 months I finally found another but at a $100,000 pay cut and no benefits. I now make $25 per hour and I am lucky. However it is only for six months.

We need to get this economy moving! Yes at age 62, I need medical care. So lets do both!

I am a Vietnam Veteran who volunteered. I served my country.

Congress get moving.

Ed

What causes me stress is all the people on the multitude of bulletin boards who gripe about "the right" or "the left" and take 15 minutes to write up their post, but they don't pick up the phone or write an email to their representitives who actually effect change.

It used to be cops harassing me when I went out for my doctor prescribed exercise (lose weight or get diabetes), taking my picture for riding a bicycle down the street, putting a decoy car in my walking path, spying on me when I walked laps around the park and culminating in them dropping a bag labeled "Medical" perfectly centered on my driveway. The Barney Fife Dick Tracy wantabees finally quit harassing me when I filled out a city questionaire asking what kind of stores do we need in town when I stated that due to the harassment and a PIG tax that got voted in to put more of those idiots on the street I was boycotting the town. Now I see due to the economic conditions their supposed to lay off 12 policemen. Great.

Jack, the source of stress for me is US government, law makers and media are falling for the same lies and misjudgement that got us into Iraq. The unfairness when it comes to Israel and rest of middleast who have cheaper blood and different rights and laws that govern them. If US only becomes fair to the world– world is very forgiving and will make US their best ally. Trust me on one thing Jack– If Israel is treated with same standards as middle east they will fall under the category of worst terrorists world has seen.

I'm becoming eligible for Medicare January 1. My husband from whom I have been separated for 25 years but retained as a source of insurance since I'm self-employed, probably was fired today. I got a call from the surgeon's office that my surgery is scheduled on the 14th. I have had breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and am now facing more breast surgery. Plus I'm diabetic. Will I be able to afford two months of COBRA? Should I take a chance if I can store up enough medicine to hold me until I get to Medicare (a government-run option)? Obviously my stress is the question of the day for many, many Americans: when is this Congress going to act on health care? And I do wish that the Democrats in Congress would quit fooling around, pass a public option ramming it through any way they can so that people like myself can get insurance, any insurance and at any cost. I just count my blessings that I am facing a two-month hiatus unlike people younger than myself. It could have been years that I was in this dilemma. I became uninsurable at 40!

Jack,
Have loved you and your comments for years! You say it like it is!

My STRESS.....money and health. I am a 54 year old single female. I am currently employed (thank god) in what I call a "survivor job",as I am "just survivoring". I am making 1/2 of the amount of money I made 5 years ago. I have no health insurance, and was recently hospitalized for several days. My saving grace....is that my kids have moved out, and on their own, so I don't have to support them. Now it is "my turn", and I'm almost to the point of eating cat food. I have prescriptions each month of $250, and I rent an apartment.

When is it "my turn". after raising 3 kids by myself , and what will I be doing 10 years from now? I don't need shades, as my future doesn't look bright!

sk in North Carolina

The looming ecological collapse if the majority of the human species doesn't learn to live sustainably. (Lincoln, Nebraska)

About whether I can afford to get to Iceland and emigrate from the U.S.A.. I love the U.S.A. but wish I would get socialized medicine and college for free.

Jack,
If our past gives our country a clue, it really seems as if there is no one worth electing. It appears that just about every official that gets elected is either the same, or worse than the last one. These corrupt idiots that are running or already elected are laughing at the tax payers all the way to the bank.
Carl in Illinois

Biggest cause of stress? Anyone who answers "money" has been living a tunnel vision life. My biggest cause of discomfort and anxiety world wide (especially in the US ) is "education" (lack thereof), which envelops humanity, and has for thousands of years. My "stress", Jack , is that US Americans don't see the forest through the trees.

Dysfunctional People who think they are societies finest.

Co-workers and other cars on the road. The rest is self induced stress. Money! Things are getting pricier every day, bills harder to pay. That is stressful.

I am 70 years old and my biggest stress is for my grand kids. Are we losing our country?What's going on?Our politicians seem to be in this for there own good.They do not seem to give a good crap about the average American.Will my grand children have a decent country to live in and be proud of?I'm not sure they will.

The GOP – in undermining the President's plan to give Americans affordable health care coverage through a public option. Their hypocrisy never fail to amaze me. I've never seen a President criticized for practically anything & everything. Now they're blaming him for failing to bring the Olympics to Chicago; had he gone he would have been blamed from taking the time away from more important matters at home such as health care which they don't want or Afghanistan which they don't approve of. One wonders whether being the first African-American President has to do with this latent hatred from the GOP.

One word – Girls

My soon to be Expensive Medical school tuition, the highly needed help that should be help ALL College Students, not just one of them and misled disasterious healthcare reform.

First, the Economy should be #1 in congress, and regretably , healthcare and Education will have to take a backseat, until we fix our economy! We shouldn't try to "change" three critical "pillars" of our country at the same time!

Work – and I'm only 28. It seems like it takes an awful lot more work and stress and income to get comfortable these days than it did for my parents.