Is there suffering ?

[AkMike]

Nothing like that is going on there.
I've never heard of towns issueiing script during the depression. Where did you hear this? My grandfolks went thru it and I've heard the horror stories since I was a kid but these are new.

[BlueandGold]

"The common peoples of earth have had enough of taxes and the NWO Global Elitists regime of crippling all countries economies purposely. We the common peoples of the earth do not owe any debt to any country global elite maffia, we do not owe taxes to them either. All common peoples have been taxed enough through our ancestors. It is only the global elite that cause all wars and all common peoples of this planet know that the global elite relentlessly commint crimes against humanity to conquer, mass genocide, and take over every common person of all countries as they attempt to make slaves of all common peoples and kill all common peoples. The global elite have proven that war crimes against humans and countries is their thirst for blood, power to control the enraged masses of peoples on earth who have had enough of the global elite lies and forced taxes that render peoples to poverty, no jobs, starvation, homelessness, and death. There is much blood on the hands of all the global elite as they are trying to establish a new world order of death and slave camps for all common peoples of this planet. Our ancestors already paid enough taxes, fought and died in senseless wars that were all the plans of the NWO Global Elite. The NWO Global Elite and the Pope of the Vatican all preached for a one world government. The NWO Global Elite have proven to all common peoples on this earth that they do not want global peace and human survival."

By an American, December 26, 2011.

Peace.

[Gotno Gizmo]

AkMike I have spoken to my contacts in Donetsk, Odessa and Mykolayiv about your comments that:-
"Everyone in central Ukraine that I have contact with remarks how much it's improved since I started going there 8 years ago. I personally see the improvments in daily life for the vast majority".

I have to say to you that all these people, who are for the most part, well educated working people disagree with you in strongest terms.

[warlar]

Interesting forum! I am from currently affluent western Canada where the majority of those of Ukrainian descent are from the 1st migration (1900) mostly from Halychyna. I have been back 3 times to find relatives (07,09,and 11)

As for this forum's discussion, what I found over there was the 'village economy.' In Ternopil there has been a massive out-migration of tradesmen. The village carries of much as it has I suppose, for centuries. Here in the west we are making much talk about the evils (health-wise) of processed foods, and are seeing calls for a movement 'back to the land.' So in the village I was impressed with the wholesome fruits, vegetables, cheese, and meats the the grandmothers and grandfathers produced. An extremely primitive and hard-working life-style, but quite wholesome in a village culture that has learned to survive no matter what is the nature of their rulers.

[Gotno Gizmo]

Those who live in the countryside with some land in which they can grow their own fruit and vegetables have a certain cushion against rising food prices. Those living in apartment blocks must pay the ever increasing food prices which are increasing at a higher rate than incomes. In the USA and UK, along with most other western countries, food cost represents a much lower ratio of expenditure against income.

[Gotno Gizmo]

I am in the countryside of the Crimea between Simperofol and the coast.
I am learning from the English speaking school children and others who are keen to practice their English, that some of their parents are very anxious. Last winter the frost was extreme with lower than normal sub zero frosts. Many fruit trees especially peaches have been severely damaged of even killed off by the freezing conditions. Furthermore since the snow melt, the region has had no useful amount of rain. Quickly the temperatures have risen to +30C on many days parching the soil and vegetation. In the cottage where I am staying the water level is near the bottom of the well. It provides irrigation for the garden vegetables and some foodstuffs for the animals. They can only use the water pump for a few minutes a day only. The low water level means that silt from the well bottom can block and damage the water pump. They have a metered mains water supply but it can only be used in the house, as it is too expensive to use for crop irrigation.
Although we had around two hours of medium rainful today (the first for several weeks), they tell me they need much more if a crisis of poor harvest yealds are to be avoided. A farmer told me that it is the worst climatic conditions for 15 years and that they are deeply concerned about their futures if the situation does not improve.