Economy sheds another 84,000 jobs

[Handgunner101]

The term for this these days is R.I.F. (Reduction In Force), layoff isn't even a term used in my line of work, they simply eliminate positions entirely. Sadly, this is taking place in the worst way. Outsourcing used to mean the work went "out"...however, in this "global economy", the outsource company in many cases actually resides within the walls of the company kicking its own folks out the door...not kidding, seen it, and I'm talking about foreign nationals sitting in the cubical next to you taking the place of a 20 plus year company man...or woman. Don't get me wrong, I fully realize any company that doesn't play on a global stage these days is history...but man, it's all in your face now with no apologies.

[cubbieman]

the store I work at is looking for about 100 people. that's what the store manager actually wants to hire

[The_Patriot]

Originally Posted by Rambo

I noticed McCain mentioned the current economic conditions regarding the loss of jobs NOT ONCE last night during his speech. But he did go on and on about his life. There's a guy who is really in tune or even concerned about the economic conditions of our workforce.

I believe the unemployment numbers came out today. McCain spoke last night. Not sure how he could have included it. Not that he should have, the number is still right in line with historical norms.

As for the economy references, I just looked at the text of the speech. I stopped counting at 11 references. That's just dishonest to say he didn't talk about the economy.

I think Obama would LOVE to talk about himself more, but there's nothing to say...I mean, other than rainbows and butterflies. Tell me with a straight face that Obama wouldn't talk about his 5-year imprisonment as a POW and how the love of his country and God pulled him through it (had he had the resolve to serve). He's got nothing positive in his history to talk about, so he doesn't.

I dislike most politicians (on both sides), but I respect what McCain did. He served his country honorably, spent time as a POW (where he tried to help others) and gives credit to his country for pulling him through. That kind of respect and dedication for country is WAY too rare these days. I don't mind people disagreeing with him, but to suggest he doesn't know reality is ridiculous. He's lived a much farther low than you or I. That changes a man, forever.

Further (I know nobody here is doing it), but I've seen a lot of the garbage on the web...photoshops and comments making fun of McCain. That stuff makes me want to puke. Where is the respect these days for elders? Especially a guy like McCain? I'm retired military and I'm now a defense contractor. I see even active duty people bad-mouthing him and others in leadership. The last couple generations just don't get it. It's unfortunate that it's going to take something REAL bad before they do. I love my country more than anything. I give thanks every day for living in Freedom. It's GREAT that I can get on this web page and say my piece--and you can say yours. People like McCain made that possible. If people disagree with his vision, etc., they should vote against him, not spread lies or make fun of the man. He, like anyone that put themselves in harm's way for a cause greater than themselves, is a hero. And a hero deserves our respect.

[NRAJOE]

Originally Posted by The_Patriot

Good Lord! I missed the cookie factory thing. I would weigh 4-fiddy if I were around cookies for 11 hours a day!

Originally Posted by Coeloptera

You...help make sure there are cookies?
YOU ARE MY NEW BEST FRIEND!

OM NOM NOM NUM-NUM!
- Coeloptera

Yeah, it was cool when I first started...cookies galore!

Wound up about 240 lbs!

Its so I can barely stand to even look at a cookie now...back down to 207 lbs!

[The_Patriot]

Originally Posted by NRAJOE

Yeah, it was cool when I first started...cookies galore!

Wound up about 240 lbs!

Its so I can barely stand to even look at a cookie now...back down to 207 lbs!

Yeah, I suppose it'd get old.

I worked at Pizza Hut for 2 years in high school (22 years ago) and after quitting that job to go in the military, I haven't had Pizza Hut ONE time. The smell makes me want to hurl. I had way too much of it (free!) when I worked there. Funny how that gets engrained in the brain.

[Onesonek]

Originally Posted by The_Patriot

I believe the unemployment numbers came out today. McCain spoke last night. Not sure how he could have included it. Not that he should have, the number is still right in line with historical norms.

As for the economy references, I just looked at the text of the speech. I stopped counting at 11 references. That's just dishonest to say he didn't talk about the economy.

I think Obama would LOVE to talk about himself more, but there's nothing to say...I mean, other than rainbows and butterflies. Tell me with a straight face that Obama wouldn't talk about his 5-year imprisonment as a POW and how the love of his country and God pulled him through it (had he had the resolve to serve). He's got nothing positive in his history to talk about, so he doesn't.

I dislike most politicians (on both sides), but I respect what McCain did. He served his country honorably, spent time as a POW (where he tried to help others) and gives credit to his country for pulling him through. That kind of respect and dedication for country is WAY too rare these days. I don't mind people disagreeing with him, but to suggest he doesn't know reality is ridiculous. He's lived a much farther low than you or I. That changes a man, forever.

Further (I know nobody here is doing it), but I've seen a lot of the garbage on the web...photoshops and comments making fun of McCain. That stuff makes me want to puke. Where is the respect these days for elders? Especially a guy like McCain? I'm retired military and I'm now a defense contractor. I see even active duty people bad-mouthing him and others in leadership. The last couple generations just don't get it. It's unfortunate that it's going to take something REAL bad before they do. I love my country more than anything. I give thanks every day for living in Freedom. It's GREAT that I can get on this web page and say my piece--and you can say yours. People like McCain made that possible. If people disagree with his vision, etc., they should vote against him, not spread lies or make fun of the man. He, like anyone that put themselves in harm's way for a cause greater than themselves, is a hero.

Indeed!

[TXplt]

Originally Posted by The_Patriot

That's about what I expected. And exactly my point.

"Big Oil" is no more evil than any other company out there trying to make money in the free market.

The oil industry provides us with a product we want and pays a crapload of taxes to the government. I see more good in them than evil.

Yeah, during the senate "trials" a few demagogues were looking for a scapegoat but should have looked in the mirror instead. Oil's profit margin is about the same as all the other industries (and they actually do something for the $).

Energy's a big deal--it's a major factor in what's dragging down our economy right now (we need to drill and build, not blow up tires). Congress is blocking drilling, and agendists/states (KS GOV) are suing to keep coal plants from being built--this throws people out of work. As this ripples through the economy and inflation climbs, this is costing jobs. So is overregulation. So are frivolous lawsuits. All of these have a real world opportunity cost and effect. Would we get the gov't meddling out of all this stuff we'd be competitive again (although I do think we're going to have to do something to build nuclear power plants, and this probably will correspond to a tax on oil directly to their construction potentially--if it's dollars to digging--not standing around--it might be ok). It really has nothing to do with "big corporations" and everything to do with opportunity costs associated with an intrusive government without a clue. Unfortunately, gov't can't ever "create" jobs--except maybe thru relaxing regulation and tax cuts.

[GlockMeister]

Originally Posted by Rambo

I noticed McCain mentioned the current economic conditions regarding the loss of jobs NOT ONCE last night during his speech. But he did go on and on about his life. There's a guy who is really in tune or even concerned about the economic conditions of our workforce.

I think he went on and on about his life to show those listening exactly what kind of person he is and that no matter what, he did and will put this country and the lives of the people in it FIRST! He went on and on as you put it I think to make sure the people listening know what he stands for and where his loyalties lie? His pick of Sarah Palin, although strategic, also shows he's serious about reform in the White House and Washington D.C. and politics as usual. Is he perfect, no, but I think he's finallu starting to and has been listening to the people.

Here's a couple good reads for you form someone I'm sure you can relate to?

The Official Community of Ted Nugent

The Official Community of Ted Nugent

[Ghost]

Originally Posted by The_Patriot

What do you do? How old are you?

I often come off insensitive in such matters (I apologize if I am now), but I've always believed that if you work hard enough to arm yourself with valuable skills, you'll find work. But then again, I've lived most of my life around big cities--it's probably quite different in small towns. There are always jobs in cities if people want to really work. Maybe you can use this opportunity to get some kind of valuable training and do something different? Do you have local resources that can help get you training?

Is it possible you can move? My son is 8 and he's already lived in 3 big cities...including D.C. and Las Vegas. There's nothing wrong with raising a kid in the city, as long as you stay on the right side of the tracks and get them in good schools. Our area of Vegas was as clean and safe as anywhere I've ever been...kind of ironic for Sin City, but it was a fantastic place to raise a kid.

I am in the over 30 crowd with a Master's in Business Management and I am half way through a Law degree. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I could go the rest of my life without ever living in a big city again. When I did, I lived on the right side of the tracks. I lived in the lowest crime, best rated area of the city and still, my house got broken into twice. My car got vandalized 3 times and broken into once, along with everyone else in my neighborhood. I was raised in the South and when I was a kid we played outside and rode our bikes in the street and walked to our friend's houses for camping trips. My kids are going to get the experience of not having to worry about which color to wear to school or which side of the street to walk on. I will find work, and no, I don't blame Bush. I blame the fact that the management of my former company were way more interested in which new house or car they could add to their collection than they were about employees who busted our butts for them and have a family to support. I also blame merger's just a little bit. That's my $.02 for what it's worth.

[Coeloptera]

Originally Posted by Ghost

I lived on the right side of the tracks. I lived in the lowest crime, best rated area of the city and still, my house got broken into twice. My car got vandalized 3 times and broken into once, along with everyone else in my neighborhood. I was raised in the South and when I was a kid we played outside and rode our bikes in the street and walked to our friend's houses for camping trips. My kids are going to get the experience of not having to worry about which color to wear to school or which side of the street to walk on.

I dunno what sort of city you lived in, but I live in Vegas and don't deal with crime or theft or my car being broken into. I see kids playing outside in the neighborhood where one of my friends lives all the time.

Mind you, I live at about the city's edge, but even so. It's the real edge too, 30 minute walk I'm in the foothills of the western mountains. The city literally can't build more than maybe 5 more miles in that direction before it has to stop.

- Coeloptera

[ArkansasHunter]

I just re-entered the work force, so those numbers need to be revised to 830099.

Did I do that right ? Or is it 83099 ? Hummm...

[The_Patriot]

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

I just re-entered the work force, so those numbers need to be revised to 830099.

Did I do that right ? Or is it 83099 ? Hummm...

I hope you're not an accountant...

[Coeloptera]

Originally Posted by The_Patriot

I hope you're not an accountant...

I'm in accounting!

And at work for another 4.5 hours.

Rough month.

- Coeloptera

[ArkansasHunter]

I deliver cracker's, cookie's, chip's and all kinds of snacks, to make you fat !!!!
A.H

[Coeloptera]

Originally Posted by The_Patriot

The oil industry provides us with a product we want and pays a crapload of taxes to the government. I see more good in them than evil.

I think part of the issue is that gasoline is effectively a necessity in parts of the country. Even with cutting down on travel (as we've seen from recent figures) some people are getting really pinched because they need to go to work, take their kids to school, and do the shopping.

- Coeloptera

[The_Patriot]

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

I deliver cracker's, cookie's, chip's and all kinds of snacks, to make you fat !!!!
A.H

I'd say you've done a very good job... Yum...chips...I'll be right back.

[The_Patriot]

Originally Posted by Coeloptera

I think part of the issue is that gasoline is effectively a necessity in parts of the country. Even with cutting down on travel (as we've seen from recent figures) some people are getting really pinched because they need to go to work, take their kids to school, and do the shopping.

- Coeloptera

I understand. My point is that you also need a car to get where you're going. You also need clothes to go to school or work.

If "big oil" is making equal or less of a profit margin on products than the people selling cars, or clothes, or donuts or coffee, I'm not sure they deserve so much animosity.

They're a company, just like all others...and they try to make money. Now, if you told me they are making a 120 percent profit margin, I'd say that oversight is needed. But if they're running margins at similar rates to a lot of other big businesses, I'd say they don't need special attention.

Also lost is the fact that oil is used for SO much more than just gasoline...rubber products, plastics, waxes, etc. A Google on it shows hundreds/thousands of products that come from oil. The oil they discover and feed the market with makes our lives a LOT better.

I, for one, don't demonize them. I WANT businesses that pay taxes here to be successful. I think the key to a good economy are successful, growing and innovating businesses. NOT a government intervention.

[TXplt]

+1 Patriot.

I think alot of it is ignorance in just seeing a huge number, and not realizing that numbers alone really mean absolutely nothing. Folks with geared engines had this type of problem for a while--they ran them at too low RPM (hurting the performance and actually the engines as well) because of the psycological effect of the higher numbers.

I neglected to add that the Fed blowing $ into the economy to prop up the dow (as well as a 9T debt by the federal government) isn't helping matters either.

[jimkim]

Did they factor in the kids going back to school? Did they factor in the layoffs due to maintenance and retooling. Around here one company fires all of the assembly workers this time every year. They rehire all of them in a month or two. We have other companies that do voluntary layoffs this time of year. Can someone tell me what the natural unemployment rate is now and how does it compare to the 6.1%?
In the 50's and 60's it was 3-5%. In the 70's it was around 7%. In the 80's it was around 6%. I cant find the numbers for the 90's or now. The only number I have found puts it at 5%. Is this correct? These are questions NOT arguments.

[Coeloptera]

And this stuff happens, too.

The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can't Have

65mpg car. Seats 5. Made by Ford. Won't be sold in the US.

Because it runs on diesel.

*sigh*

- Coeloptera