[the invisib1e hand]

excluding gov't, finance was tops. That's a really bad leading indicator - it certainly has been historically.

OTOH, if the gov't is actually cutting costs, that may be a pre-leading indicator (but I'm not convinced).

[Shady]

State Gumments are cutting drastically, Feds are hiring!!

[Himyar]

Many of the government cuts are DOD cuts. Some don't matter that much but some are vital contractors. Hubby lost his job 2 weeks ago. He kept the system that tracks the life span of aircraft parts for the whole USAF. As in the parts have to be changed out at the proper intervals or you lose a bird. He kept the system up and running, fixing errors etc. Tops at his job. Now a guy that also does other stuff and another person with minimal experience are trying to do his job. Everyone is having a duck, even calling him at home. I've had two calls this morning. Told them he's out driving a silage truck trying to keep our heads above water. I'm semi disabled but I ‘m looking for something too. The feds are really going to save a lot on this deal-NOT.