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Grapes of Wrath - economy worse than reported

 
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I have observed some things recently in the economy - and I find it all quite unsettling. It has been a number of years since I watched the movie "Grapes of Wrath" but the current economic situation reminds me of the movie.
Here is the situation in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex:
1. There is no "temp" office work - not at any price - not at any location. This has been true since the fall of 2001. I am not talking about programming work - I am talking about the low end jobs that some people call the "female ghetto" - any office type job incolving answer phones/preparing word docs/receptionist/etc.
2. There is very little "permanent" office work in the "female ghetto". There are a few jobs that pay $8 per hour - but dozens of people apply - and your chances are slim.
3. There is little to no retail work. There are no openings at my local Walmat, Target, or Kohls Department store. How do I know this? I went to apply - and they said don't bother. They have NO OPENINGS FOR ANY JOBS WHATSOEVER!
4. Of course, it is no surprise to people on this bulletin board, there there are few programming jobs around.
I found a "temp" office job that pays crappy - but it is like being a day laborer. They tell me today - if they want me to come back tomorrow. My strategy is to work hard and I keep my mouth shut and just say "yes massah!" as if I was working on a slave plantation.
I find myself being relieved to be working on a plantation. At least I have some work. And as for the pay rate - 20 years ago I did similar work - but BACK THEN I GOT PAID MORE!!!
I am going to end up like my parents who lived thru the 1930's depression. I will be very very tight with my money - and think in a survival mode.
Of course, nobody is starving to death. But there are OCEANS of people out there looking for work - and willing to do anything under any working conditions. But there is nothing for them.
The complete absense of the "low end" jobs is something that I have ever seen or persomally observed, and it surprises me. I thought Walmart always had something - even it it was a crappy job.
Kevin
[ July 19, 2003: Message edited by: Kevin Thompson ]
 
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Some places are worse than others, some better.
 
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Hi Kevin,
I think Bushies just delete or block unemployment statistic to media and public because he vowed not to repeat his father mistake. The Bushies operates on the logic if no one see to record, it does not happened.
But honestly, I do not see anyone in the public area more suitable than him. Dangerous yes, stupidier yes, but smarter no.
Regards,
MCao
 
frank davis
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Originally posted by Matt Cao:
Hi Kevin,
I think Bushies just delete or block unemployment statistic to media and public because he vowed not to repeat his father mistake. The Bushies operates on the logic if no one see to record, it does not happened.
But honestly, I do not see anyone in the public area more suitable than him. Dangerous yes, stupidier yes, but smarter no.
Regards,
MCao


I see no need to support the contention that dismal economic local conditions mirror those throughout the nation by implicating the Bush administration in some nefarious coverup.
 
Matt Cao
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Hi,
All because I read the following link. It agitates my POV a little bit.
http://slate.msn.com/id/2085481/
Regards,
MCao
 
Matt Cao
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Hi,
Before anyone get too political read the following too.
http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
Regards,
MCao
 
mister krabs
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I'm not sure where Kevin lives but he might think about moving. Not even NYC is as bad as what he describes. After 9/11 I was out of work for 6 months. Since then I have had no trouble finding employment. And lately I have been getting something that i haven't been getting in a couple of years... calls from recruiters!
 
slicker
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Perhaps the unemployment rate has gone up due to the kids being out of high school and college.
And lately I have been getting something that i haven't been getting in a couple of years... calls from recruiters!
Same with me - I'm thinking that the NYC market maybe openning up a bit - which helps even those with jobs.
 
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things have been bad in oregon since the beginning of 2001. a recent headline read "unemployment tops 8%, worst in 18 years"
 
frank davis
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Originally posted by Thomas Paul:
I'm not sure where Kevin lives but he might think about moving. Not even NYC is as bad as what he describes. After 9/11 I was out of work for 6 months. Since then I have had no trouble finding employment. And lately I have been getting something that i haven't been getting in a couple of years... calls from recruiters!


I've had the same experience in south Florida noticing a small, steady increase in the number of positions being advertised locally and a slight increase in recruiter activity.
 
frank davis
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Originally posted by Matt Cao:
Hi,
Before anyone get too political read the following too.
http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
Regards,
MCao


Its still not as bad nationally as the orignally poster would have us believe.
 
Don't get me started about those stupid light bulbs.
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