[lasereye]

I believe the economy actually added a small number last year. I agree the economy hasn't robust for awhile now. My comment about the war was mainly the unexpected rise in claims. There is a longer term problem that started over 2 years ago, which seems to be rooted in wildly excessive investment in technology in the late 90's, followed by the inevitable correction.

[Brian S]

The number of jobs lost since the employment peak of March 2001 is quoted to be around 2 million.