[WhiteGuy]

JMHO,

I've observed that the the largest segment of the business community hurt by the now 3 year long "no growth economy" is small business.

Small shops and offices are closing, for good. The entrapaneurs who drove the high growth economy of the last decade are now choosing to take 9-5 jobs where available.

As I travel around Cowtown, I make mental notes that there aren't many office buildings, industrial parks, or strip retail parks without obvious vacency.

Much like the industrial "downsizing" of the 70's these are jobs and businesses that are not coming back. Which is the prime indicator of why there is no "rebound".

Unfortunately, without real tax code reform, (not just rehtorical 10-years down the line miniscule tax cut promises), massive reduction in in government spending, and an iron-clad replacement for the ponzi-scheme that is Social Security, the American Dream will become a fond memory from the prior generations.

The GOP has a little over a year and a half to solve the problems, otherwise, the opportunity will be gone, perhaps for ever.

On the other ahnd I could be wrong........

Maybe, the economy is far better every where but here.

I sure hope so.

[arete]

Unfortunately, without real tax code reform, (not just rehtorical 10-years down the line miniscule tax cut promises), massive reduction in in government spending, and an iron-clad replacement for the ponzi-scheme that is Social Security, the American Dream will become a fond memory from the prior generations.

It will be impossible for government to reduce spending. They have gone beyond the point of no return. Politicians are in business of having the taxpayer pay for their vote buying promises. There is no free lunch.

Richard W.

[Starwind]

As I travel around Cowtown, I make mental notes that there aren't many office buildings, industrial parks, or strip retail parks without obvious vacency.

You're absolutley right. Nationwide commercial vacancies are rising and while rents are falling, zero rental income is still a loss to landlords.

It's not your locale, it's nationwide and global save for industrial cities in India and China.

[FITZ]

What I think is so funny now is how all the telemarketers can't speak English or maybe they think they're speaking English but they've got accents so heavy you can't understand a word they're saying. I can't imagine it's going to improve sales when people who are already annoyed by all the telemarketers now can't understand them.