It pains me that so many recession articles seem to be so blind to the realities of America. For most — MOST —all three points are moot.

Who has the time, energy or drive to pick up useful skills when already struggling to get by? What, exactly, is a useful skill in a post-recession world?

Savings are crucial to surviving any downturn — and something most Americans are incapable of. With more than 60% of Americans unable to cope with just a $1000 emergency, saying ‘Make sure to save a little!’ is, at best, a painful show of ignorance.

And I literally started laughing when I read that we should restructure our portfolio.

The next recession will test this nation, as individuals have less than ever, and social welfare is facing its largest attacks in a century. Those that you write to will be fine. They will thrive, even. For when a recession wipes out the working class, it stretches the value of the excess capital for the ruling class. From real estate to labor and entire start-ups, everything gets a little cheaper.

Providing advice to the ever thinning group of people who will be hurt (but not entirely wiped out) by a recession feels bad. America feels bad.