The DOW continued its roller coaster ride Thursday, amidst government bailouts and stock purchases of some of the nation's leading banks. Some are saying the economic crisis could turn into a repeat of history.

"Do you feel like America is facing another Great Depression," I asked. "Yes I do. I really do. The young people of this age and time has no idea what a depression is going to be like," replied Raymond Daniels who remembers the thirties vividly.

"We hunted rabbits to pay for the taxes, and we ate cornbread three times a day," said Daniels.

Those years were a time when the country was at its lowest. Jobs were scarce, and many lost all of their money when their banks went belly up. That scenario is one that nearly 80 years later is carrying some of the same trends.

"We have it better now than we did in the 30's in many ways, but in some ways maybe not so different," said Vernie Cameron who also lived through the depression. "I taught school at a little country school in those days, and made the huge sum of 50 dollars a month," she said.

While 50 dollars may sound like nothing today, Great Depression survivor Sidney Warrick says we no longer know the true value of our money.

"They think they can spend themselves out of debt, and it's not going to happen. No-body's ever spent themselves out of debt," said War rick.

Warrick says he believe the country will go into a recession before another depression, but blames our financial crisis on our own behavior.

"That's the trouble with the whole country. The country is greedy. They've turned from need to greed," said Warrick.

Each of the Great Depression survivors told me that should history repeat itself, we would all be put to the ultimate test.


--Story ideas or comments? Email me at wcarter@kspr.com