Job Cuts Top 100,000 in January - Report

Reuters ^ | Tuesday February 3, 2004

[Rokke]

Actually, many people here do believe it's bad all over. I can't count how many times I've seen the phrase "where are all the jobs" in posts on FR. Yes, there are some sectors experiencing significant job loss. But other sectors are booming. Americans have the freedom to seek their own fortunes. Some do, while others sit at a computer terminal and type "Bush sucks. Where are all the jobs. Who is going to help ME."

[Alberta's Child]

Maybe there are fewer people doing that kind of work?

That may have a lot to do with it. It's not just that there are fewer people, but it seems as if everyone needs some work done on their homes these days -- and nobody has the time to do it themselves.

How's the shoulder doing? Has that kept you out of work?

[oceanview]

I think most of the posters on this have been clear, and its well know what industries the offshoring is affecting across white collar and manufacturing.

[Alberta's Child]

It's not just the regulations themselves -- it's the level of regulations. Add the regulations on fuel efficiency, pollution controls, etc. An auto manufacturing facility in this country is no less regulated than a power plant.

[M. Thatcher]

Well the value of the dollar has fallen 40% against the Euro and continues to fall. So soon the dollar will be a junk currency. Will that convince you that things ain't that the GOP tells you they are?

And the very close dollar/Euro ratio has to do with America becoming a third-world nation precisely how? You people in the know-nothing quadrant are certainly consistent in your inability to comprehend facts, evidence, or economics.

Okay, ace, I'll make a deal with you. The MINUTE the dollar becomes "junk currency," I'll join you in your pissing and moaning.

[jpsb]

In terms of buying power and wages we are closing in fast on the third world. Yall living in your gated communities need to get out sometime and see how rotten things are in the "working mans world". If it wasn't for beer, I don't know what we'd do. Yall better make sure beer is cheap in your two tier, rich and poor world.

[M. Thatcher]

In terms of buying power and wages we are closing in fast on the third world. Yall living in your gated communities need to get out sometime and see how rotten things are in the "working mans world". If it wasn't for beer, I don't know what we'd do. Yall better make sure beer is cheap in your two tier, rich and poor world.

I guaran-damn-tee you have never set foot in the third world.

What you don't know about the third world, your own country, the working man's world, beer — not to mention how to actually THINK instead of piling up cliches — would fill an encyclopedia.

[jpsb]

Is the dollars falling? Fast?

When talking to folks like you I like to keep my points real simple, so yall can understand. Take a look at the dollar over the last several years, then get back to me. And remember a falling dollar means a falling standard of living in the new global village yall love so much.

[M. Thatcher]

Listen, ace, America's standard of living, by any measure you care to use, is RISING.

Simple enough for you?

[jpsb]

"Listen, ace, America's standard of living, by any measure you care to use, is RISING."

Just saying it doesn't make it true, as the dollar continues to fall it buys less and less. It has alrady lost 40% of it value in the last 4 years. How low can it go? Good question, all I know is that it is continuing to fall and lowering our standard of living.

[Dec31,1999]

I think it's this one:" 2. Because they are making money on the misery of their fellow Americans."

If you're not into financial investments, you've missed the boat.

[M. Thatcher]

Just saying it doesn't make it true, as the dollar continues to fall it buys less and less. It has alrady lost 40% of it value in the last 4 years. How low can it go? Good question, all I know is that it is continuing to fall and lowering our standard of living.

Just saying it doesn't make it true. Try to actually cite a fact. By any measure that standard of living is measured: buying power, productivity, personal wealth, comfort, lifespan, health, happiness — the American people's standard of living is higher than ever in our history.

But one thing I can tell from your gloom-and-doom posts. You, personally, are a loser.

[RaceBannon]

kept me out of work until Sep.

Fortunately, the only work I could find, was work that was not hard physically! :)

[bimbo]

I'd rather force the Japanese and Chinese to open up their economies from protectionism rather than worrying about the jobs lossed by transfer.

Why should the Japanese and Chinese open up? … Protectionism WORKS for them, and it’ll work for us.

[phil_will1]

"So what exactly are people pointing to in the case of Bush? Tell me what he DID don't just complain about job numbers and not enough jobs "created" as if the President is the Economy God who controls all these things magically or metaphysically. Give me something *concrete*. I may even agree!"

I blame Bush in two respects
1. His economic team (esp. Treasury Secretary Snow) doesn't even acknowledge there is a problem. They are doing exactly what Bush #41's team did and just quote statistics (such as the Dow and GDP growth) that don't take into account the very real economic pain and suffering that is going on. They should be saying that they are concerned and that they are committed to finding a solution.

2. His previous economic team was thoroughly familiar with tax reform proposals which would remove the crippling effect of our tax system and enable US producers to compete on a more level playing field internationally. Karl Rove has blocked that effort (because it is too politically risky) even though his previous economic team was unanimous in its support. Last year's economic report even had a whole section on the advantages of taxing consumption, rather than income. Mr. Bush should have realized, even if Mr. Rove didn't, that doing nothing about this problem is not a risk-free alternative.

IMHO, his sins were of omission, rather than comission.

[FITZ]

Listen, ace, America's standard of living, by any measure you care to use, is RISING.

It depends on how you measure it. Less personal debt, savings, more time with family and kids, fewer foreclosures, welfare programs shutting down, fewer government handouts and social spending --- then we're not doing better than previously.

[FITZ]

much of the dollars used to support the health care and education industries come from the government, that's why I said that those jobs are essentially government employment.

Health care jobs would collapse in two days if the government money didn't pour in. In some areas of the country, those jobs are almost completely government jobs now --- in this region only 33% of the population has private insurance --- all the rest --- and most expensive --- are paid for by the government.

[jpsb]

Have cited the falling dollar, which if it continues to fall, will impoverish most of us. I could also cite how it now takes two workers, mom and dad, working just to keep the families head above water, I could also cite how heavily American have to use debt just to stay afloat. Or how many family are dependent on Uncle Sugar Daddy daddy for their daily bread. But just keep you head in the sand, it suits you.

[M. Thatcher]

if it continues to fall, will impoverish most of us

You are on crack.

[M. Thatcher]

then we're not doing better than previously

Actually, we are. Number of cars owned, percentage owning homes, number of televisions and other high-end possessions owned, number of meals consumed, continually increasing lifespan...health and wealth of average American unimaginable to generations before us.

The only thing limiting your own success and happiness is YOU.