Ten percent of Americans may be jobless by year's end

A growing number of states suffered double-digit unemployment rates in January, and others are close behind, buttressing fears that the national jobless rate could hit 10 percent by year's end.

The rising joblessness reflects the pain that the housing, credit and financial crises – the worst since the 1930s – has caused workers and companies. The latest figures were issued Wednesday in the Labor Department's monthly report on state unemployment.

In January, jobless rates rose in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Louisiana was the only state to record a drop.

I find it ironic that you just don’t get it.

See, I want you to succeed. I want you to be prosperous.

But I also want you to realize that manufacturing and non-skilled labor is a dead end. It has been for 50 years and it’s only going to get worse.

What I think is funny is that you don’t seem to think people who have decent jobs, and have made a helluva lot of sacrifices to get where they are, “work” as much as you do. Maybe, just maybe, you ought to listen to the advice of those of us who are successful, whose jobs are (at least currently) secure, and who would like you to be in the same position.

I had compassion for people in low-skill manufacturing jobs in the 70s. I had a little less in the 80s and even less in the 90s. Here it is, 10 years into new century - 50 years since it was evident that manufacturing was dead and was not going to recover.

I’m sorry, but after 40 years of seeing the same cycles repeat themselves, my compassion is starting to run low, and when I see these “low paid” people pulling in more than I do, and squandering it in good times, instead of investing in themselves, well, then I’m sorry, but I begin to care a little bit less each decade.

Maybe this doesn’t describe you or everyone else and I’m sorry you take offense. But let me tell you a secret - it ain’t getting any better and more than likely, it’s going to get worse. You can complain about it, and blame those who are successful for not being compassionate, or you can do something about it now, because it’s not going to be any easier next time around and we probably haven’t hit bottom this time yet.

See, I want you to succeed. I want you to be prosperous.

In my own way I have prospered, I have succeeded and for the Grace of God I just made it long enough to be eligible for my reduced pension.

You can say what you want to me you arrogant prick, but don't preach to the people who are now in their 50's and out of jobs with no education who were busting their asses on the press lines to build the fancy SUV that you are now driving.........

Don't forget sir, your good fortune was dependent on the folks doing the job that you didn't want to do.........and for you to berate these same people who provided you with what you have simply reinforces the claim of hypocrisy that the democrats level at so-called conservatives such as you.

I see a conflict in your statements.

I think I can see where you're coming from. The account of our KY stamping plant had nothing to do with the Detroit stamping plant and was intended to show just how much the Big 3 has influence over its tier 1 suppliers such as my company when they have to deal with UAW negotiations which may impact on their plants.

Sorry I wasn't more clear

I can relate another story on how my company's Detroit plant was impacted by Ford when it went up for sale in 2005 or 06 but its lengthy and I don't have the time right now.

Relocation is often an option, although undesirable. Michigan is particularly bad, from what I understand. I've been unemployed for two months now and just learned today that I plan to receive a job offer next week(assuming it isn't shot down by the company's upper management).

If things had gotten bad enough, I would have been forced to consider relocation or at least severely downsizing my housing accommodations. Fortunately, right now, it appears it won't have to come to that.

So it looks like I may survive the hope and change disaster without too much damage after all.

Interesting conversation Chrisser & Hot T...an example of the class warfare that has divided this country. A John Adams quote is appropiate to this:
‘Fear is the foundation of most governments; but it is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men in whose breasts it predominates so stupid and miserable, that Americans will not be likely to approve of any political institution which is founded on it’, Thoughts on Government (1776).

It's the arrogance of the people like you who have no idea what life is like in the manufacturing plants of Detroit who think that "well, I did it, so can thay and if they can't then screw them they deserve it....."

Bullshit. I know damn well what it's like in a UAW plant. That's EXACTLY why I want you, and those like you, to get the hell out.

You can say what you want to me you arrogant prick, but don't preach to the people who are now in their 50's and out of jobs with no education who were busting their asses on the press lines to build the fancy SUV that you are now driving.........

Arrogant prick? You're the one bitching about your job. I'm trying to help you get out. You won't listen, just like you didn't listen 10 years ago, 20 years ago or 30 years ago. Now, in your 50s, you're going to say it's too late even though you've likely got 20 or 30 years left. And, BTW, that "fancy SUV" is a 2000 GMC pickup I bought used. How new is your car? Is it even a domestic brand? My wife's car is 6 years older than that.

Don't forget sir, your good fortune was dependent on the folks doing the job that you didn't want to do.........and for you to berate these same people who provided you with what you have simply reinforces the claim of hypocrisy that the democrats level at so-called conservatives such as you.

Again, Bullshit. Such breathtaking, ignorant and uninformed arrogance. You, sir, are typical of the 'rat mindset. Did you know that people born in poverty get out of it? People who are rich often become poor. And people who once worked in factories can get their asses off the line and into a desk job if that's what they want. Those of us who did that know damn well what it takes to be on a production line. But it's obvious you have no idea how to get off it, and you're sure as hell not going to listen to anyone who's done it try and tell you how. Wealth is created. It's not stolen off the backs of others - that's typical union BS and, believe me, I've heard it a million times from the same people who are still in the plants, bitching about how lousy their jobs are again.

Pointing out where you screwed up isn't berating you - it's trying to put some sense into your damn fool head. But you know better. That's why you're bitching about how bad it is where you live and where you work, and I'm not. It's cause I don't know what it's like to be in your shoes. Right. Keep telling yourself that.

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