[Starwind]

Fyi...

[Illbay]

How did you beat Willie Green?

[PatrioticAmerican]

No doubt these numbers are low as people have rolled off th dole. I live in Highlands Ranch (Denver), capital of the out of work computer geeks. 65 Percent of people in HR work in the tech sector. Most have changed careers and many homes have foreclosed. I have heard foreclosure rates of 3.5-7 percent and a county number that says 23 percent of all homes are at least one month behind in mortgage payments, and 7 percent are at least two months behind. Banks are providing new financing to keep people in their homes as a high foreclosure rate kills banks.

Many geeks have been out of work for at least six months and around 25 percent at least a year. Those long term unemployed have taken on new jobs in other sectors but are making 1/3 to 1/2 of what they were, and I'm not talking the six figure incomes. Many that made $60-80K are now happy to have $40K. Last year, I did a large project and got high end developers for $50K, and they were real happy to have the jobs. One guy just took a $40K job, and he's 42 with 20 years experience.

We seriously need to review the H1-B program and the offshore developments.

[theDentist]

This is going to be the Dems biggest cudgel in the election. And it will be effective.
"It's the economy, stupid" will make a strong comeback.

[freeper12]

Its a lie..all lies...there are no people out of work...it is just a vast left-wing conspiracy to taint Bush for the 2004 election.

</sarcasm>

[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.

[Jhoffa_]

Speaking of such things.. the richest man I ever knew once told me his motivation for building the business was that he "needed a job, so he made one"

Brilliant man. High school dropout to boot. One of the "uneducated smart"

I have been thinking allot about what he said recently.. Two distinctly separate events have left me with an opportunity to get into the automatic transmission business. I am still mulling it over.

These unemployment threads and the SS threads really make me think hard about such a move. If any FReeper Entreapaneurs or Auto Mechanics have input, I would certainly welcome an FR Mail. It's kind of a scary proposition and any feedback would be appreciated.