Unemployent is about to go up.

[Space Racer]

Many small businessmen who have been hanging on and looking forward to a more favorable business climate are in the process of changing tactics. They are closing the less profitable parts of their businesses. They are streamlining their operations in order to survive the next four years.

Many are preparing to close their doors permanently.

[Space Racer]

In September, Obama asked defense contractors to delay their layoff announcements until after the election.

On November 7, the day after the election, Boeing announced a large layoff:

http://urbangrounds.com/2012/11/boeing-layoffs/

[Six]

Yep.

Ive been telling posters this for weeks now.

Realizing the majority of the electorate is either so partisan they refuse to accept the truth or they're just uninformed I've decided the USA is not long for this world.

We have been defined by the most uninformed in our society.

[Space Racer]

Small Business Employment, Revenues In Downward Trend, Says Intuit
http://www.gaebler.com/News/Small-Business-Finance/Small-Business-Employment,-Revenues-in-Downward-Trend,-Says-Intuit-900000259.htm


Obamacare causes reductions in full-time employment:
http://connect.freedomworks.org/news/view/320794?destination=node%2F320794
http://lasvegas.cbslocal.com/2012/11/07/vegas-employer-obama-won-so-i-fired-22-employees/#.UJut6oKlX9o.twitter

[Space Racer]

Jobless Claims Going Up!

By Neal Boortz

You saw this, didn’t you? We now have 439,000 new jobless claims for the first full week after the disastrous reelection of our Dear Ruler. Pennsylvania and Ohio led the pack. Two union states. Two crucial states won by Obama. The Obama crowd is trying to put the best possible spin on these numbers --- saying that they’re due to layoffs from Hurricane Sandy. Nonsense. Layoffs in Ohio? Pennsylvania? Heavy union states?

No … what we’re seeing here is a direct reaction to the idiot voters of this country reelecting this anti-business failure to the presidency for another four years. Here’s how this worked. These businessmen have been struggling for years. More particularly, they have been struggling through the slowest recovery from a recession in history. About two years into Obama’s term these businessmen and investors figured out that things simply weren’t going to get any better until Obama was gone. ObamaCare was looming as an expensive regulatory nightmare. The flood of new business and finance regulations coming out of the Obama executive branch were a nightmare. As a result, businessmen and investors simply went into economic hibernation. They were going to wait until the Obama business winter was over.

Then comes the election. For businessmen and women it signaled the coming of an ice age. Things weren’t going to get better … not anytime soon … and continued hibernation was not possible. It was time to pare back and go into survival mode. ObamaCare was going to be a reality. There would be no repeal. The flood of regulations would continue – probably get worse. The EPA would soon unleash the flood of new so-called “clean air” rules that will send energy costs through the roof. Taxes on small business owners are going to rise. Capital gains taxes on investors – going up. There is absolutely NOTHING on the horizon with four more years of Obama that gives one iota of hope for a better business and economic climate ahead. So … it’s time to go lean and mean … and that’s just what these businesses are doing. They’re shedding employees to get under the ObamaCare threshold. They’re looking for ways to get more efficient so that they can rid themselves of unnecessary workers. As a result we see jobless claims are on the rise .. the highest number since the middle of 2011.

The Obama junta wants to blame it on the storm. Well .. .they’re half-right. It’s a storm all right, but not Hurricane Sandy. It’s the storm of taxes and regulations that are coming with the reelection of an anti-business, tax and spend president.

Elections have consequences. Here’s your pink slip. Enjoy. And if you’re an Obama voter, I’m enjoying it right along with you. You did it to yourselves.

http://www.boortz.com/weblogs/nealz-nuze/2012/nov/16/jobless-claims-going/

[ga-hvac-tech]

Jobless Claims Going Up!

By Neal Boortz

You saw this, didn’t you? We now have 439,000 new jobless claims for the first full week after the disastrous reelection of our Dear Ruler. Pennsylvania and Ohio led the pack. Two union states. Two crucial states won by Obama. The Obama crowd is trying to put the best possible spin on these numbers --- saying that they’re due to layoffs from Hurricane Sandy. Nonsense. Layoffs in Ohio? Pennsylvania? Heavy union states?

No … what we’re seeing here is a direct reaction to the idiot voters of this country reelecting this anti-business failure to the presidency for another four years. Here’s how this worked. These businessmen have been struggling for years. More particularly, they have been struggling through the slowest recovery from a recession in history. About two years into Obama’s term these businessmen and investors figured out that things simply weren’t going to get any better until Obama was gone. ObamaCare was looming as an expensive regulatory nightmare. The flood of new business and finance regulations coming out of the Obama executive branch were a nightmare. As a result, businessmen and investors simply went into economic hibernation. They were going to wait until the Obama business winter was over.

Then comes the election. For businessmen and women it signaled the coming of an ice age. Things weren’t going to get better … not anytime soon … and continued hibernation was not possible. It was time to pare back and go into survival mode. ObamaCare was going to be a reality. There would be no repeal. The flood of regulations would continue – probably get worse. The EPA would soon unleash the flood of new so-called “clean air” rules that will send energy costs through the roof. Taxes on small business owners are going to rise. Capital gains taxes on investors – going up. There is absolutely NOTHING on the horizon with four more years of Obama that gives one iota of hope for a better business and economic climate ahead. So … it’s time to go lean and mean … and that’s just what these businesses are doing. They’re shedding employees to get under the ObamaCare threshold. They’re looking for ways to get more efficient so that they can rid themselves of unnecessary workers. As a result we see jobless claims are on the rise .. the highest number since the middle of 2011.

The Obama junta wants to blame it on the storm. Well .. .they’re half-right. It’s a storm all right, but not Hurricane Sandy. It’s the storm of taxes and regulations that are coming with the reelection of an anti-business, tax and spend president.

Elections have consequences. Here’s your pink slip. Enjoy. And if you’re an Obama voter, I’m enjoying it right along with you. You did it to yourselves.

http://www.boortz.com/weblogs/nealz-nuze/2012/nov/16/jobless-claims-going/

But... but.... but.... that cannot be true... Boortz said it and nothing he says is true. Only what Obama says is true... everyone knows that... don't they???

One day they will wake up... hope it is not too late.

[acmanko]

And you honestly think none of the people who get layed off will not start their own business?

[ga-hvac-tech]

And you honestly think none of the people who get layed off will not start their own business?

Well... if they do... they will learn how their fearless leader screwed them. When one starts a business, they learn about all the expenses govt piles on... The more folks who know this... the better for the conservative cause.

[DeltaT]

And you honestly think none of the people who get layed off will not start their own business?

That's funny for a deep thinking man. Although that is typical and I agree because previous times like these that is true..and when a lot of successful businesses are made.

But the times...they are a different.

Around here I've watched as companies have evolved into, or should I say, disolved into nothingness in many cases. Many are working with skeleton crews and living from job to job, if they have any jobs.

But what I have watched for about 4 years now is techs using their savings to purchase really nice vans, lettering and setting up offices and all the costs that have gone along with opening up a business. And those costs are pretty expensive and paid for from hard earned savings or second mortgages on their primary homes.

Then they find out why their employer went out of business. They find out there is simply no business or what business is there is not going to pay the bills. Most of them are not going to make it, especially now with the results of the recent election. Some might but what are they going to make it too?

What is the US going to look like in the short run and long run. I don't even give us another 6 months before we are in a crisis that we can't plan for or do much about except to keep pretending.

What use to work in business won't work anymore for the most part. What we have had for the past 200 years is no longer available.

[acmanko]

That's odd, I have 2 friends that started HVAC business within the last couple of years. One took out loans and did what you describe, he is doing OK. The other started his Bare bones and he is doing better.
That's funny for a deep thinking man. Although that is typical and I agree because previous times like these that is true..and when a lot of successful businesses are made.

But the times...they are a different.

Around here I've watched as companies have evolved into, or should I say, disolved into nothingness in many cases. Many are working with skeleton crews and living from job to job, if they have any jobs.

But what I have watched for about 4 years now is techs using their savings to purchase really nice vans, lettering and setting up offices and all the costs that have gone along with opening up a business. And those costs are pretty expensive and paid for from hard earned savings or second mortgages on their primary homes.

Then they find out why their employer went out of business. They find out there is simply no business or what business is there is not going to pay the bills. Most of them are not going to make it, especially now with the results of the recent election. Some might but what are they going to make it too?

What is the US going to look like in the short run and long run. I don't even give us another 6 months before we are in a crisis that we can't plan for or do much about except to keep pretending.

What use to work in business won't work anymore for the most part. What we have had for the past 200 years is no longer available.

[glennac]

Give it a rest ace. The Marxist won so you don't need to continue your 24/7 campaign for the anti American Party with their alien leader. Thank you very much

[acmanko]

Never

[DeltaT]

That's odd, I have 2 friends that started HVAC business within the last couple of years. One took out loans and did what you describe, he is doing OK. The other started his Bare bones and he is doing better.

Why would that be odd...unless you feel threatened by a person who has had different experiences. My reply was about my local market and the reflection I get from many of the other contractors who post on HVAC Talk across the nation.

My story is about my local story. Your story is about your local story.

I see a continued diminished future for the US and that comes from also talking to some of my old HVAC friends from one ocean to the other ocean. And you see a few folks doing wellin Texas, I assume, so that negates my input?

I'm glad you have good stories to tell. And I'm sure a few of these new starts up here will also survive against all odds but that still does not negate the business climate of most of this country that you seem to have a fear in recognizing.

[acmanko]

I have no fear of recognizing that statistics have shown repeatedly that most business fails after a couple of years. It has nothing to do with government headed by Dems or the GOP. If you believe it does , then you too have vindicated Obamas' speech about You did not build your business

[DeltaT]

I have no fear of recognizing that statistics have shown repeatedly that most business fails after a couple of years. It has nothing to do with government headed by Dems or the GOP. If you believe it does , then you too have vindicated Obamas' speech about You did not build your business

Um, the subject is about whose running this country into the ground and about the Dems or GOP. And it's about the business climate or lack of. Just cause you think you are doing well doesn't mean the rest of the country outside of your world is.

Anyway, your response took about 2 minutes longer than I expected - you must have done some deep thinking to come up with the above twist of the subject matter in your reply.

I'm going back to my corner of the world now and deal with reality and I'll catch up with you later on the next subject whatever that might be.

[tinman]

for what it's worth I have been in business since 1988. This is the first time I have laid people off in november except I will generally lay somebody off rather than fire them. Not this time, things are slooooooow.

[acmanko]

The subject is about who ran it into the ground and who is pulling us out. You have to be kidding me. Roncool said he cannot make a go of it without a business friendly government. I say BS. If one needs the government to allow them to make money. Then they need to change their business model and come up with a real plan

[Tool-Slinger]

I have no fear of recognizing that statistics have shown repeatedly that most business fails after a couple of years. It has nothing to do with government headed by Dems or the GOP. If you believe it does , then you too have vindicated Obamas' speech about You did not build your business

I find your perspective fascinating.

While it is true that individuals do build businesses, not the government, the government does retard or promote healthy business activity with policy.

The government today seems to mostly retard business, republicans only a little less so. So having a political opinion based on government interference is actually very sane and rational.

Having such opinion does not equal an admission that 'the government is helping me build my business', no, I have built my own business. I took the risks, I did the work, and I have helped support THE GOVERNMENT---- not the other way around.

[KB Cool]

I guess obama figures it's cheaper to issue unemployment checks than to buy weapons and aircraft!!!:grin2:

[Tool-Slinger]

Jobless Claims Going Up!

By Neal Boortz

You saw this, didn’t you? We now have 439,000 new jobless claims for the first full week after the disastrous reelection of our Dear Ruler. Pennsylvania and Ohio led the pack. Two union states. Two crucial states won by Obama. The Obama crowd is trying to put the best possible spin on these numbers --- saying that they’re due to layoffs from Hurricane Sandy. Nonsense. Layoffs in Ohio? Pennsylvania? Heavy union states?

No … what we’re seeing here is a direct reaction to the idiot voters of this country reelecting this anti-business failure to the presidency for another four years. Here’s how this worked. These businessmen have been struggling for years. More particularly, they have been struggling through the slowest recovery from a recession in history. About two years into Obama’s term these businessmen and investors figured out that things simply weren’t going to get any better until Obama was gone. ObamaCare was looming as an expensive regulatory nightmare. The flood of new business and finance regulations coming out of the Obama executive branch were a nightmare. As a result, businessmen and investors simply went into economic hibernation. They were going to wait until the Obama business winter was over.

Then comes the election. For businessmen and women it signaled the coming of an ice age. Things weren’t going to get better … not anytime soon … and continued hibernation was not possible. It was time to pare back and go into survival mode. ObamaCare was going to be a reality. There would be no repeal. The flood of regulations would continue – probably get worse. The EPA would soon unleash the flood of new so-called “clean air” rules that will send energy costs through the roof. Taxes on small business owners are going to rise. Capital gains taxes on investors – going up. There is absolutely NOTHING on the horizon with four more years of Obama that gives one iota of hope for a better business and economic climate ahead. So … it’s time to go lean and mean … and that’s just what these businesses are doing. They’re shedding employees to get under the ObamaCare threshold. They’re looking for ways to get more efficient so that they can rid themselves of unnecessary workers. As a result we see jobless claims are on the rise .. the highest number since the middle of 2011.

The Obama junta wants to blame it on the storm. Well .. .they’re half-right. It’s a storm all right, but not Hurricane Sandy. It’s the storm of taxes and regulations that are coming with the reelection of an anti-business, tax and spend president.

Elections have consequences. Here’s your pink slip. Enjoy. And if you’re an Obama voter, I’m enjoying it right along with you. You did it to yourselves.

http://www.boortz.com/weblogs/nealz-nuze/2012/nov/16/jobless-claims-going/

I agree with everything you just posted.

In a cruel twist of irony, Obama supporters are going to be the worst hit by his re-election.

Lemmings.

[ga-hvac-tech]

I find your perspective fascinating.

While it is true that individuals do build businesses, not the government, the government does retard or promote healthy business activity with policy.

The government today seems to mostly retard business, republicans only a little less so. So having a political opinion based on government interference is actually very sane and rational.

Having such opinion does not equal an admission that 'the government is helping me build my business', no, I have built my own business. I took the risks, I did the work, and I have helped support THE GOVERNMENT---- not the other way around.

I agree with Tool here.

While the govt may have some influence on decisions the person building the business makes (policies the business has to follow or work around); the actual building of the business (risk, work, etc) is NOT the govt's doing.
IMO only someone who has no business experience would fall for that political lie.

[ga-hvac-tech]

I agree with everything you just posted.

In a cruel twist of irony, Obama supporters are going to be the worst hit by his re-election.

Lemmings.

NOW we are speaking some REAL truth! Time will tell... however IMO the lessons learned at the hands of crooked polecats are some of the most valuable lessons of adulthood one could learn.

[DeltaT]

The subject is about who ran it into the ground and who is pulling us out. You have to be kidding me. Roncool said he cannot make a go of it without a business friendly government. I say BS. If one needs the government to allow them to make money. Then they need to change their business model and come up with a real plan

OK, let's just go with that. So you could run your business as equally successful in Cuba, or any of the Soviet Union countries or China?

[ga-hvac-tech]

OK, let's just go with that. So you could run your business as equally successful in Cuba, or any of the Soviet Union countries or China?

I would like to see that...

[Tool-Slinger]

The subject is about who ran it into the ground and who is pulling us out. You have to be kidding me. Roncool said he cannot make a go of it without a business friendly government. I say BS. If one needs the government to allow them to make money. Then they need to change their business model and come up with a real plan

Umm... you are 'calling BS!' yet roncool has not even posted in this thread. I would like to be next.

[DeltaT]

Umm... you are 'calling BS!' yet roncool has not even posted in this thread. I would like to be next.

Really! I didn't even check. Wow! ac pulled one on me. Good for him.

[acmanko]

Just proving how easy you guys will fall off a cliff. Heck if the government would let everyone buy equipment and refrigerant , the off duty firemen would run half of you out of business within a month

[Tool-Slinger]

Just proving how easy you guys will fall off a cliff. Heck if the government would let everyone buy equipment and refrigerant , the off duty firemen would run half of you out of business within a month

Oh my dear foot, Ace. Off-duty firemen can obtain licenses/insurance/equipment/refrigerant just the same as anyone else who wants to do HVAC work. Point two, off-duty firemen and other hacks have probably run half of us out of business already.

I have no Idea how you perceive that you have proven anything at all.

If you are talking about start-up business failures you alluded to in a previous post,.. it is a widely accepted rule of thumb in the business community that 80% of small businesses will fold within two years. I heard that the first time 30 years ago, and it was old knowledge then, and it is true today. I don't think democrats or republicans can affect that much one way or the other, it is more of a natural selection type of thing. The unemployment problems we are facing today have more to do with established businesses that are far beyond the 'two year hurdle'.

[acmanko]

Come on Tool, business old and new go out of business all the time. I'm just saying that if your business fails and you blame it on a President than your business would have failed anyway. It matters little how old it is. Most older Business fail because the owner gets to old to do the work by theirself and their children want nothing to do with it. They try to sell it for more than it's worth and nobody buys it sho they just shut down

[tinman]

Back in the early part of the last century there were a gazillion car companies now there is just a few. Those other car companies went out of business.

[Tool-Slinger]

Come on Tool, business old and new go out of business all the time. I'm just saying that if your business fails and you blame it on a President than your business would have failed anyway. It matters little how old it is. Most older Business fail because the owner gets to old to do the work by theirself and their children want nothing to do with it. They try to sell it for more than it's worth and nobody buys it sho they just shut down

If that is the only point you were making, I fully agree.

[Tool-Slinger]

Back in the early part of the last century there were a gazillion car companies now there is just a few. Those other car companies went out of business.

Yes. They were not necessarily failures. Maybe they sold at a profit. Just thought it important to note that a business closure does not necessarily mean business failure.

In your example, I think alot of the known car sub-names were buyouts. [pontiac, dodge or chysler, GM or chevy or cadillac, ford or lincoln] That is just off the top of my head without researching it.

[CTrojano1214]

And what would Romney have done if he was elected. Make the rich richer n the poor poorer. Honestly who cares who the president is for the next 100 years, this system needs to be changed. Congress votes against eachother whether a democrat or republican is in office so nothing will ever be accomplished. For christ sakes these people vote for a raise for themselves, lol. People need to start seeing the big picture how corporations have ruined family owned businesses. Its disgusting.

[ga-hvac-tech]

And what would Romney have done if he was elected. Make the rich richer n the poor poorer. Honestly who cares who the president is for the next 100 years, this system needs to be changed. Congress votes against eachother whether a democrat or republican is in office so nothing will ever be accomplished. For christ sakes these people vote for a raise for themselves, lol. People need to start seeing the big picture how corporations have ruined family owned businesses. Its disgusting.

The government does not make you this or that... they DO make it harder or easier to make certain decisions though.

NO, YOU, yes YOU are the one that makes you richer or poorer.

Mark my words... BHP will turn on you and you will regret voting for him.

[acmanko]

Obama got reelected because there was not a better choice and there is not another Dem at this point in time that could DOMINATE as he did. But there will be in 4 more years. Who, I cannot say, but if the GOP can't field a better candidate for the WH they will lose again.

[ga-hvac-tech]

Obama got reelected because there was not a better choice and there is not another Dem at this point in time that could DOMINATE as he did. But there will be in 4 more years. Who, I cannot say, but if the GOP can't field a better candidate for the WH they will lose again.

Sadly... the word highlited above is what BHO did in the election. WE did not elect the best person, we elected the best liar.

[acmanko]

I got several jobs and lots of praise for being able to stand flat footed,look you in the eye, and lie like a dog. We should be in great shape, change that. We are in great shape. History is being written as we speak!

[ga-hvac-tech]

I got several jobs and lots of praise for being able to stand flat footed,look you in the eye, and lie like a dog. We should be in great shape, change that. We are in great shape. History is being written as we speak!

So you are proud of lieing like a dog and taking folks $$$... What about when someone does that to you... do you like it?

Golden rule dude.

[CTrojano1214]

I don't vote anymore. And Im not interested in handouts, Ill be wealthy because I want to, I'm just saying what would Romney have done.

[AStudent]

I don't vote anymore. And Im not interested in handouts, Ill be wealthy because I want to, I'm just saying what would Romney have done.

Romney would have raised fees....so all these people griping about high taxes now would have been just as upset....well maybe not until they went to buy a gun, or ride a bus.

[corny]

And what would Romney have done if he was elected. Make the rich richer n the poor poorer. Honestly who cares who the president is for the next 100 years, this system needs to be changed. Congress votes against eachother whether a democrat or republican is in office so nothing will ever be accomplished. For christ sakes these people vote for a raise for themselves, lol. People need to start seeing the big picture how corporations have ruined family owned businesses. Its disgusting.

Corporations may ruin family businesses but they make more jobs available for the public and they make goods available to the people that dont cost as much. They do what americans demand of them. Knock mom and pop out and put in a big box store..... that is sad....and its a shame....but its the truth.

[CTrojano1214]

You say they make more jobs but all I'm seeing is less than 10 employees in super center Walmarts, meanwhile there's 2 registers open and 50 people in line lol, now shouldn't these corporations be required to hire so many people since they take all the money

[Space Racer]

Unemployment to break all-time record in 2013:

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-global-unemployment-20130122,0,3819636.story

[netsalt]

Not surprising that WORLDWIDE unemployment is going up. As developing countries industrialize the need for labor drops. The same for industrialized countries that are relying more on IT - less need for backs and hands.

[coolperfect]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-01/asian-stocks-erase-gains-aussie-weakens-with-platinum-on-china.html Oh yea!

[coolperfect]

Come on Tool, business old and new go out of business all the time. I'm just saying that if your business fails and you blame it on a President than your business would have failed anyway. It matters little how old it is. Most older Business fail because the owner gets to old to do the work by theirself and their children want nothing to do with it. They try to sell it for more than it's worth and nobody buys it sho they just shut downLet me rewrite this a little,if you don't mind Ace. The kids use the business as an ATM machine,turning a great business into one that fails.seen it many times.

[acmanko]

Let me rewrite this a little,if you don't mind Ace. The kids use the business as an ATM machine,turning a great business into one that fails.seen it many times.

I can agree with that

[corny]

Ive got to go take a ****...anyone got a copy of the bill of rights I can use ???

You're not getting it back...... unless you really want it........lol You will have to retrieve it also..... Im not sticking my hand down in there....

[printer2]

You say they make more jobs but all I'm seeing is less than 10 employees in super center Walmarts, meanwhile there's 2 registers open and 50 people in line lol, now shouldn't these corporations be required to hire so many people since they take all the money

Don't know how it is with you guys but around here some of the big box stores are starting to feel pinched. Where they nailed the mom and pop businesses they are now getting hit by the virtual marketplace. People go to the stores, look at the merchandise till they decide what they like, look online who sells it the cheapest and the item comes delivered a while later. It is a changing retail world, it is not the same one of four years ago and in four years it will probably look different than today.

So why is the landscape changing? Is it Obama or is it just a natural progression of a shrinking world? Why are businesses having a hard time making a go of it? If there was money out there to mine business would be booming. But the problem was you guys (not personally but as a country) overextended yourselves spending money you did not have (Credit! Cheap money! Don't pay till ...) and the economy grew in size because of it. When the bubble broke everybody's wealth went down, the economy shrank, things got harder. Now days it seems more of you are getting rid of your debts rather than plying your money into the economy, no wonder businesses are hurting (even though the stock market is doing well, something seems wrong).

And talking about the stock market, there are businesses that are doing quite well thank you, and are sitting on a lot of cash. So they are taking money out of the economy, reducing the money you and I are chasing, money that could be adding jobs to the economy, which would bring money into the government coffers, you seem to get the reoccurring theme here? Yes it is money. If people were as willing to get into debt as the were a while back and banks were as willing to throw money out the door to anyone that could spell their name you would see business thriving.

So we are basically living the hangover from the party we were living for the last decade. And to make it clear, it is not all about you guys. If there were any bright spots in the world we would be mining them for money also, this is a global problem. Hopefully we will get more flush with money and start spending it, maybe we will act like our parents or our parents parents (depending how old you are) and watch our pennies (ok, dollars, inflation). Might be a generation before things get better. I sure hope not.

[AStudent]

Don't know how it is with you guys but around here some of the big box stores are starting to feel pinched. Where they nailed the mom and pop businesses they are now getting hit by the virtual marketplace. People go to the stores, look at the merchandise till they decide what they like, look online who sells it the cheapest and the item comes delivered a while later. It is a changing retail world, it is not the same one of four years ago and in four years it will probably look different than today.

So why is the landscape changing? Is it Obama or is it just a natural progression of a shrinking world? Why are businesses having a hard time making a go of it? If there was money out there to mine business would be booming. But the problem was you guys (not personally but as a country) overextended yourselves spending money you did not have (Credit! Cheap money! Don't pay till ...) and the economy grew in size because of it. When the bubble broke everybody's wealth went down, the economy shrank, things got harder. Now days it seems more of you are getting rid of your debts rather than plying your money into the economy, no wonder businesses are hurting (even though the stock market is doing well, something seems wrong).

And talking about the stock market, there are businesses that are doing quite well thank you, and are sitting on a lot of cash. So they are taking money out of the economy, reducing the money you and I are chasing, money that could be adding jobs to the economy, which would bring money into the government coffers, you seem to get the reoccurring theme here? Yes it is money. If people were as willing to get into debt as the were a while back and banks were as willing to throw money out the door to anyone that could spell their name you would see business thriving.

So we are basically living the hangover from the party we were living for the last decade. And to make it clear, it is not all about you guys. If there were any bright spots in the world we would be mining them for money also, this is a global problem. Hopefully we will get more flush with money and start spending it, maybe we will act like our parents or our parents parents (depending how old you are) and watch our pennies (ok, dollars, inflation). Might be a generation before things get better. I sure hope not.

I agree with you....like a teenager the economy was in party mode for a long time...living high on the hog, good times....the economy is now in hangover mode. The party is over, and the ill effects of the night before has us with our heads in the toilet.

I'm not an Obama lover but it's getting tiresome hearing people blame him for things he had no control over. Had a customer ask me the other day if I could fill an old propane tank....I stated the law which requires that a bottle has to be recertified every 12 years.... the guy went off on me...damn Obama this damn Obama that...then he went on to tell me about how he got denied a bottle filled in the 1980's for the same reason....he talked like Obama has made all the laws in this country.... and talked down to me and about the business. Fortunately I didn't open my mouth and the guy has been back twice since then making purchases.