You can still count on taxes......

[mr_fibuli]

Looks like business is down everywhere - people can't even afford to die...

Richard Blackwell
Globe and Mail Update, Tuesday, Jun. 09, 2009 07:21AM EDT

The funeral industry – once considered the safest of investor havens in a recession – is having a tough time across North America, but not because people are spending less to bury their loved ones.
Put simply, fewer people are dying, a phenomenon that is puzzling executives in the business and denting the bottom line of public companies that own funeral homes and cemeteries. While death rates have been declining over time, it is the sharp and sudden drop in the first quarter that is the mystery.

more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...rticle1173949/

[metalman]

Re: You can still count on taxes......

Looks like business is down everywhere - people can't even afford to die...

Richard Blackwell
Globe and Mail Update, Tuesday, Jun. 09, 2009 07:21AM EDT

The funeral industry – once considered the safest of investor havens in a recession – is having a tough time across North America, but not because people are spending less to bury their loved ones.
Put simply, fewer people are dying, a phenomenon that is puzzling executives in the business and denting the bottom line of public companies that own funeral homes and cemeteries. While death rates have been declining over time, it is the sharp and sudden drop in the first quarter that is the mystery.

more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...rticle1173949/

i can't afford to die!

[aaron]

Re: You can still count on taxes......

People are eating less since they have no money.

[touchring]

Re: You can still count on taxes......

People are eating less since they have no money.

eating less of chips or fries?

[santafe2]

Re: You can still count on taxes......

People are eating less since they have no money.

If they're in the US, we should be thankful.

[mr_fibuli]

Re: You can still count on taxes......

All joking aside this is an interesting (apparent) development. Are people staying at home and reducing their participation in risky activities - like driving their cars. You would think that reduced workplace stress (heart attacks etc.) (once you're laid off) would be greatly offset by increased stress due to no money but maybe not.

Or maybe this is just another example of poor collection of statistics.....

[pescamaaan]

Re: You can still count on taxes......

All joking aside this is an interesting (apparent) development. Are people staying at home and reducing their participation in risky activities - like driving their cars. You would think that reduced workplace stress (heart attacks etc.) (once you're laid off) would be greatly offset by increased stress due to no money but maybe not.

Or maybe this is just another example of poor collection of statistics.....

i don't have official stats but i remember during the big run up in oil/gas prices there was a measurable reduction in highway/driving deaths which was said to be a result of people simply driving less.

increase gas prices, save lives, who knew!

[btattoo]

Re: You can still count on taxes......

i don't have official stats but i remember during the big run up in oil/gas prices there was a measurable reduction in highway/driving deaths which was said to be a result of people simply driving less.

increase gas prices, save lives, who knew!

from the 10/08 Harper's Index:

Estimated number of U.S. lives saved per month by $4 gasoline through reduced driving nationwide: 1000

Number of additional road deaths that would have been caused by a “gas-tax holiday" this summer: 66