Our economy

[Monty Mikho]

Sorry we lost this thread when Rick crashed the database!!

[Jimmy Biggs]

How many times can I vote :roll:

[JerzeyGirl]

IMHO, the economy is as shitty as it was in the mid 80's with good ol' Reganomics. The gas prices are out of control and home costs are thru the roof. It just plain sucks!

[Monty Mikho]

Don't worry JerzeyGirl.. The 200 billion dollars spent to bring peace in the middle east is working... :roll: Gas prices dropping like no tomorrow.. Economy recovering everyday.. companies doing the best by the minute.. just hang on there.. in the long run it will all pay off... :roll:

[JerzeyGirl]

I want some of whatever Monty is smoking....(tomatoes ARE NOT in season yet) :smt033

[Monty Mikho]

Did you notice you never had a choice in paying your social security every week from your paycheck? Even if you were hurt you can bypass the taxes to pay them at the end of the year but social security you had to pay. It is for your long term well being. Well everything Clinton did to recover our social security has been spent to bring peace to the middle east. My favorite saying from Bush is "We will defend tiwain if China attacks" Now I want what this guy is smoking!! China has 4+ times the population and nuclear wepons. Im sure they would be more than happy to use if pushed to... Why don't we just leave the world alone already? Do we really know what's good for them? They talk about crime over in the middle east but yet their crime (death) rate does not even come in the top 50 of the world...

[Monty Mikho]

Murders (per capita)

1. Colombia 0.63 per 1000 people

2. South Africa 0.51 per 1000 people

3. Jamaica 0.32 per 1000 people

4. Venezuela 0.32 per 1000 people

5. Russia 0.19 per 1000 people

6. Mexico 0.13 per 1000 people

7. Lithuania 0.10 per 1000 people

8. Estonia 0.10 per 1000 people

9. Latvia 0.10 per 1000 people

10. Belarus 0.09 per 1000 people

11. Ukraine 0.09 per 1000 people

12. Papua New Guinea 0.08 per 1000 people

13. Kyrgyzstan 0.08 per 1000 people

14. Thailand 0.07 per 1000 people

15. Moldova 0.07 per 1000 people

16. Zambia 0.07 per 1000 people

17. Seychelles 0.07 per 1000 people

18. Zimbabwe 0.07 per 1000 people

19. Costa Rica 0.06 per 1000 people

20. Poland 0.05 per 1000 people

21. Georgia 0.04 per 1000 people

22. Uruguay 0.04 per 1000 people

23. Bulgaria 0.04 per 1000 people

24. United States 0.04 per 1000 people

25. Armenia 0.03 per 1000 people

26. Yemen 0.03 per 1000 people

27. India 0.03 per 1000 people

28. Azerbaijan 0.02 per 1000 people

29. Dominica 0.02 per 1000 people

30. Finland 0.02 per 1000 people

31. Slovakia 0.02 per 1000 people

32. Romania 0.02 per 1000 people

33. Portugal 0.02 per 1000 people

34. Malaysia 0.02 per 1000 people

35. Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of 0.02 per 1000 people

36. Mauritius 0.02 per 1000 people

37. Hungary 0.02 per 1000 people

38. Korea, South 0.01 per 1000 people

39. Slovenia 0.01 per 1000 people

40. Iceland 0.01 per 1000 people

41. France 0.01 per 1000 people

42. Czech Republic 0.01 per 1000 people

43. Australia 0.01 per 1000 people

44. Canada 0.01 per 1000 people

45. Chile 0.01 per 1000 people

46. United Kingdom 0.01 per 1000 people

47. Italy 0.01 per 1000 people

48. Spain 0.01 per 1000 people

49. Germany 0.01 per 1000 people

50. New Zealand 0.01 per 1000 people

[Monty Mikho]

I needed that information before Jimmy Biggs jumps in... :-D

[Jimmy Biggs]

Here's the entire difference in a nutschell........You believe lets just mind our own business.......I believe that we are in the fight of our lives.....they showed us on 9/11/01 ......they won't stop till we're all dead.....When everybody made fun of Bush for saying "Bring it on"......He took the battle off our streets and put it over where its been for thousands of years.......the Cost........way cheaper than 9/11
Here's the deal......If my sides thinking is wrong we've givin people a chance to be free..............If your sides wrong.....my kids will never have the secure feeling they had on 9/10......I'll stay with my side thank you

I won't Forget Ever....Look at the savages.....they kill their own

[Monty Mikho]

Why did the 15 people jump on a plane and crash planes into the towers? This is the main question.. Why not Germany? Why not Russia? Why not England? Why not anywhere else? Surely there is some overall reason why they picked the US. In Bin Laden's speech, the full version, he says the reason he did it is because the USA's backup of Israel in the 80's when they bombed Lebanon. He states that he seen 2 building crash to the ground and it was that day he made plans to pay us back. Now if we did not interfere with other countries, would we be at the same risk? China has more people and seems to in the headings to become world power to be seen within our lifetime. Bush has turned this into a religious fight!! Again we are faced with religion as the basis of killing others.. Besides what threat did Iraq pose on us? Also where is Bin Laden? Also what happened to Saddam? Also why is there no peace in Iraq after stating it would be so peaceful after democracy is passed.. Look at what's there in full and not what you are feed on TV...

[Monty Mikho]

Jimmy and I will go round in circles on this topic. Others please join in as long as you have an open mind and understand these types of threads will never end with a correct answer. We, in the overall picture, are not in the "know" to understand every aspect of what is happening. I'm sure we would all feel different if we were totally in the loop. Again keep an open mind and argue your statements and/or opinions and maintain your anger...

[Jimmy Biggs]

I say dito to you Monty......THERE IS A DIFFERENCE in Iraq now......as to the other countries you better look up your facts on attacks......A Liberal Policy on the world really is a nice place....will leave us all dead......Now I'm all for closing the borders......If you want a hands off everyone policy We must close our borders....
.....Someday Monty you will say that F in JB was right......I am in this business from the middle east situation (I used to be an exporter to there) I have spent more time in the Mideast than most posting here (Except Military) I had many an eye opening experience on my trips over there.....thats why I have the opiniun I have.....I saw it myself

[Monty Mikho]

I spent 3 years in Iraq... :-D Just because this country imports good from other countries does not mean we need to have our hands in their business. Come to the street of Detroit someday and you will see the same you see all around the world that we are trying to correct.. Shit go to Chicago, NY, L.A., South Bend, Philly etc etc.. and you will see murders, drug problems, starving kids, homeless people, people in need of a jobs.. Right here in our own backyard. Our prison system is need of check also. How do we house 2% of the world’s population but yet house 25% of its prisoners? One thing I will agree with your friend Bush on and that’s to kill those who killed!! But not kill their surrounding people and tell them how to live from here on out..

[7DMACH1]

Our business {new car dealer} has never recoved from 9/11. A depts, service, parts, new and used cars. The economy sux!!! People don't spend money like they used to. As for 9/11, I will never forget, I think that's reflected in what I do with my cruise night. Our cruise Night started our 5 years ago as a fun gathering for about 75 cars. We then decided to do it for The Special Olympics. I invited them to attend. No show, no thank you, no reply whatsoever. Well then came 911, I decided to do it for the troops, and that's my story.

[Jimmy Biggs]

We are a LAZY SOCIETY America was build for us to pursue our dreams....no where else on Earth is that offered.......Yet instead of getting off our lazy asses we choose to sit and say how bad it is......I just barely made it thru High School.....No other Schooling........I work 75+ hours a week....and make a crap load of $$$.....I choose not to work for anyone but myself.....I don't need an alarm clock 'cause I welcome each day......I could loose everything tomorrow....but I will get up brush myself off and start again......Why....because I can.....its AMERICA....THATS WHY

[7DMACH1]

I agree with you Jimmy. I too barely graduated high school. Started driving the parts truck. Took over as Parts Mgr. in 1981. I am the computer admin, corp tres. and oversee the detailing dept. I'm am the most respected employee of our dealership. You must find other ways of making business happen. I've started selling parts on different message boards and it has grown very nicely to the point that our business is doing very well. What I meant is the days of letting business come to you are over. You must think outside of the box and go get it. Our cruise night is another way for our dealership to gain recongnition. I've gone from our neighbors being against it, to them loving it. I'm the PR man for the dealership. I knock on doors and ask if they have any problems with us. The neighbors now love me and our dealership. I make a very good living for a dumb kid. {and still can't spell or use proper grammer} Only in America!!!! I'm starting to help other organize car shows and cruises. This might be a new line of business for me. I could bring thousands of people to a mall, a car dealer or a community. Ray

[Monty Mikho]

We are a LAZY SOCIETY America was build for us to pursue our dreams....no where else on Earth is that offered.......Yet instead of getting off our lazy asses we choose to sit and say how bad it is......I just barely made it thru High School.....No other Schooling........I work 75+ hours a week....and make a crap load of $$$.....I choose not to work for anyone but myself.....I don't need an alarm clock 'cause I welcome each day......I could loose everything tomorrow....but I will get up brush myself off and start again......Why....because I can.....its AMERICA....THATS WHY

Ummm Jimmy.. When there is no business to be had where do you plan on getting off your ass to make some cash come from?? Should Ray go out and hold a gun to peoples heads to make them buy a car? Should Ray close shop because the country is on a downslide? I work everyday and have seen no downside yet.. But I look at the auto industry and have to wonder when it will pick up again... Now if the TV business slows down a bit.. are you gonna close the doors and open a whole new gig? Wouldn't make sense now would it? I spend money everyday.. I am not starving as of yet and do pretty good overall... But I do see the economy as whole not doing the same.. That's what we mean my economical dowslide.. It's the over all picture and not even the president can make his words effective by saying "America you can start spending your money again because everything is back on track"

[7DMACH1]

The problem with our business is, the price of gas, the factory cuttin profits on parts and cars, and the cost of insurance and taxes. We do more gross sales than we did 10 years ago, and maintain less net profit. This is why I'm looking into the car show promotion stuff. Never know when this place could be gone and I need something else. I've already discussed this with the guy that makes my shirts and dash plaques. I don't want to wait untill it's too late...

[Jimmy Biggs]

Monty look at the On Demand Video stuff I'm into....I know NOTHING about it.....I'm in a learning curve....its freakin fun.....Everybody is doing infomercials now.....I've been doing them 12 years......Its kinda slowed up....so I got into this.....if its your livelyhood and you pay attention....when something starts slowing down/changing you make adjustments....I call it staying ahead of the curve....The work is there.....but you must look for it....rarely does it knock on your door :roll:

[Jimmy Biggs]

The problem with our business is, the price of gas, the factory cuttin profits on parts and cars, and the cost of insurance and taxes. We do more gross sales than we did 10 years ago, and maintain less net profit. This is why I'm looking into the car show promotion stuff. Never know when this place could be gone and I need something else. I've already discussed this with the guy that makes my shirts and dash plaques. I don't want to wait untill it's too late...


I do consulting for Dealerships......the deal is to sell used cars.....thats where the money is......put out your 150-175 New (Factory Happy).....and add 150 used with a 2700-3000 gross (per unit) your makin money

[7DMACH1]

The difference is that large companies and utilites can raise their prices or make fuel adjustments for their products and services. In our competitive business we can't. We have to absorbb all the additional cost. If I was to charge a body shop for delivery, how long do you think it would be before he found someone that doesn't charge. We can't raise the price of cars or service or we'll have no customers. But the electic company, the gas company and Ford Motor Company can.

[Monty Mikho]

Jimmy I went out and started a business at the age of 25.. Its been 9 years now and I have always had work everyday without any breaks.. The past few years I have taken vacations and did things I enjoy... I grew up VERY poor.. VERY POOR.. and watched my dad take us from the shit to a half way place to live... No one ever told me I had to work.. I just did it.. No one told me I had to start a business.. I just did it.. No one told me to go to school.. I just did it.. with my own two hands and no money to back me.. I worked for what I have an am very proud of it as well as my parents.. My dream was to make Mom and Dad happy of me after putting them thru hell growing up.. When I see them smile.. It makes me smile.. When they see me smile the same happens to them.. I took the risk at 25 and it has paid off.. It was not easy and would never tell anyone it was.. But not everyone is willing to take that step and I understand.. But I cannot say that the economy is doing great when I see the rest of the country doing poorly.. The world goes beyond my front door...

[7DMACH1]

The problem with our business is, the price of gas, the factory cuttin profits on parts and cars, and the cost of insurance and taxes. We do more gross sales than we did 10 years ago, and maintain less net profit. This is why I'm looking into the car show promotion stuff. Never know when this place could be gone and I need something else. I've already discussed this with the guy that makes my shirts and dash plaques. I don't want to wait untill it's too late...


I do consulting for Dealerships......the deal is to sell used cars.....thats where the money is......put out your 150-175 New (Factory Happy).....and add 150 used with a 2700-3000 gross (per unit) your makin money

You are right, but we haven't been able to do that. We can sell 100 new cars but only 55 used. The rebates are one reason. The "O" financing doesn't help the back end either.

[Monty Mikho]

BTW.. Im winning the poll... LOL

[7DMACH1]

Monty, I assume you have a performance shop. My friend started one in 1996. He's never been slow when other regular shops are. I think it's because there are not as many performance shops.

[7DMACH1]

You have to try to find something that not real competitive. I thought about my own Auto Parts Store, but I'm glad I didn't.

[Jimmy Biggs]

Your service dept. is there to keep people coming back looking at new product....same with parts (now if you look at MCGuire Chevy, Lustine Chevy, Nucar Chevy.....they started wholesaling parts.......25 years ago we would laugh at the idea) the money is in Used cars....make everything else at the store cover expenses....used cars puts you over

[7DMACH1]

Parts and service have to pay all the bills. That's a bullet proof dealership. We do a good job at that.

[7DMACH1]

We have a 55% repeat customer base.

[Monty Mikho]

We are a repair, programming and consulting company that support CNC machinery. Most of our business is full turn key agile machines for the big 3...


My race car shop is my garage and only have one customer.. Me... :-D :-D :-D Sometimes satisfied but mostly upset with the service.. Frigen owner is always on the internet starting trouble...

[7DMACH1]

The price of houses is out of controll. My house is worth $225.00, but I've been looking at houses for 438k. So what do I gain over what I paid for my house. Nothing!!!

[Jimmy Biggs]

MaN you need me 55 used on the BLVD....COME ON.....Team just north of you does 200+ new 145+ used....I do their TV Advertising....I gave them a 15% boost without increasing the budget....just shuffling ad sizes

[7DMACH1]

MaN you need me 55 used on the BLVD....COME ON.....Team just north of you does 200+ new 145+ used....I do their TV Advertising....I gave them a 15% boost without increasing the budget....just shuffling ad sizes

Maybe when you come up for our Crusie you should talk to our owners.

[Monty Mikho]

I've been looking at houses for 438k

Blahh I can't even drive near a house worth that much and this guy is looking at buying one!!! :shock:

[Monty Mikho]

Change the Ford dealership to a Chevy dealership and see sales grow by 4000%... :-D

[7DMACH1]

Housing in this area is high. I'm 53 years old and my house has been paid off too, so I'm have 200k to put down.

[Monty Mikho]

Housing in this area is high. I'm 53 years old and my house has been paid off too, so I'm have 200k to put down.

:shock: :shock: can you adopt me???

[7DMACH1]

Change the Ford dealership to a Chevy dealership and see sales grow by 4000%... :-D

You are right, It's a Lincoln Mercury Dealership and I think that scares some used car buyers thinking we have all expensive cars.

[7DMACH1]

Housing in this area is high. I'm 53 years old and my house has been paid off too, so I'm have 200k to put down.

:shock: :shock: can you adopt me???

That's ok, my 30 yr. old son is still home.

[Monty Mikho]

Dont you need a 34 year old son?? I can cook... :-D

[7DMACH1]

Funny thing is that Sloane Chevy who had been around for 30 years just closed their doors last Friday.

[7DMACH1]

Dont you need a 34 year old son?? I can cook... :-D


LMAO!!!

[Monty Mikho]

Dont worry they will open them back up Tuesday.. It was a holiday weekend... :-D

[7DMACH1]

I've got a 26 bay shop to work in too.

[7DMACH1]

Dont worry they will open them back up Tuesday.. It was a holiday weekend... :-D

Toyota is coming in!!!!

[Jimmy Biggs]

I just had my house appraised 224....I paid 163 for it 3 years ago....did some cosmetic...ready to move....I look for the worst house in the best neiborhood...I'm lookin again......Here again I could say OH Crap houses are too expensive.....a get off your ass and look....they are out there

[7DMACH1]

I'm too old for that shit. House has to be done.

[Jimmy Biggs]

Funny thing is that Sloane Chevy who had been around for 30 years just closed their doors last Friday.

Imports unlimited bought the shingle.....the property was worth more....Imports is putting it in their new building and putting the imports back at the old place (2blocks north)

[7DMACH1]

Funny thing is that Sloane Chevy who had been around for 30 years just closed their doors last Friday.

Imports unlimited bought the shingle.....the property was worth more....Imports is putting it in their new building and putting the imports back at the old place (2blocks north)

Yeah, I know.

[Jimmy Biggs]

Monty.....most of you Michigan guys are in the Auto Field.....so you get hit hard....We have 2 Plants here GM Boxwood Plant, Newark Chrysler Plant....when they have a problem we have a problem

[Monty Mikho]

Jimmy I bought the smallest house in the neighborhood. The sub was not complete and has been completed in the past 6 years.. The price doubled since and didn't do shit to it but upset all my neighbors.. See my plan is to piss them off so bad that they make me an offer to move the hell outta here... :-D

[Monty Mikho]

Hey Jimmy if this was an election your ass lost with 12% of the votes... :-D

[Jimmy Biggs]

Its slanted towards Union Lefties that think its one mans fault that they have job issues......Use what GOD gave you....your brain.....If you are out of work your "New Job" is to find another job......if you can't find one take a look in the mirror and find out why.....its the guy your lookin at....not the guy they blame on TV...now for me its 11pm....how many of you are workin now????....How many started at 6am this morning????? :P

[Bobalos]

You guys aint got nothing to complain about in the housing market. come to Kalifornia & try to buy a house. I bought mine for $188 11 years ago & now Im looking a bit north of here & the same house is $650+. & how much is gas? Yea, I thought so. why.............. 'Cause of ........... Greed.

lets get back to profitability. how much is enough? as much as they can eek out of folks. THATS sad!!! what happened to the days of _________________ (put what you like in here, its all because of the same reason). wanna get the economy back where it belongs. Put more CEO's in prision & watch companies take care of thier folks. THAT as an employer is what makes a company good. does it cost bottom line. You bet your black pen it does. is it the right thing to do. Yep. will politicians solve the economy issue? no the folks running the companies will. instead of looking to screw thier employers, they should be looking @ new ways to increase profitability WITH OUT sending jobs out of the country.

can I get down off of my soap box now?

Bob

[Monty Mikho]

Here it is in a hand basket!!!

The govenment can change this with ease. Its called competitive and fair business practices. Let's use Automotive X for an example. Automotive X employeed at one time 300,000 employees. The import market moved in with cheap "affordable" cars that get great gas mileage. Seems fair at this point if we want to share knowledge and products with oversea companies. Well Automotive X sees how the import companines are doing it and they figure "Hey what the hell lets let them make some parts for us for pennies on the dollar" This goes on for several years and Auomotive X is loving it. It continues till over 50% of its products are shipped to employees getting pennies on the dollar. Looks great for the company and bad for the unemplyeed worker now. Automotive X is still a major money making machine and tells the local areas they will not pay taxes for their building and if they have to they will ship the plant overseas! The city is scared to lose Automotive X from their city as it drive all the busniess in the surrounding areas with a major employee list in the area. So now small busniness and residents need to compensate for this threat!!

OK lets make it very clear to Automotive X!!! Let's keep the boarders open to export jobs and import good with a hefty price to pay. Now if Automotive X's employees get paid $28.00 an hour the tax on import goods will have to reflect the offset. With that import cost it would not be wise to move the jobs overseas. Now this tax would have to be paid by companies overseas who wish to sell use their goods as well.

Now everyone loves the fact they can go get a Playstation for $200.00. It's cheap compared to the X-Box when made in the US for $400.00. But if the employee can only land a local job of a $10.00 an hour wage is $200.00 really cheap?

The govenment needs to make the import and export laws fair. We can not compete with a $2.00 an hour salary and still afford a $35,000 car from Automotive X. It doesn't work in the long run. Last year we increased our imported goods by 4.8% and decreased our sales of export goods by 3.2% .. :evil: We buy way more than the rest of the world buys from us. At one point this country supplied the world with its goods. Now the tables have turned and we are supplied with our goods. No this is not Bush's fault, but he is not helping either. So when you say go out and get a job!! What do the people who live in a house in Springfield do when Automotive X closes its doors and only the local 7/11 is hiring? Move somewhere else to find something better? Well if the answer is yes we will all live in one spot before too long..

[Jimmy Biggs]

To you Lib's it always the big bad corporations.....They pay somebody 28.00 an hour(PLUS BIG BENIES) to do a 6.00 an hour job.....Lee Iaccoca's book back in the late 80's stated that $600 to the price of every new Mopar (this is 20 years ago too!) goes to Drug Rehab.......Excuss me why are us people making 2 payments(@$300 a month) on our new cars for Drug Rehab......The Problem.......Assembly Workers get to much money for a low skills job

[Jimmy Biggs]

The Steel Industry....from the eighties I remember Them complaining about jobs going overseas then......Think about this.....the Japs were buying iron ore here....and scrap Steele here....paying Union workers to hual it ....load it on ships....sail it home....unload it.....make Steel....Load it on ships.....sail it over.....unload it (Union Labor) and its cheaper than producing it here....WHATS WRONG

[Monty Mikho]

OK Jimmy this is how it works. When Automotive X makes 170 billion dollars a year they can afford to pay their employees $28.00 a year. When Automotive X makes $150,000 a year they can't. In Japan the workers are forced to put in "free time" at their jobs. Is that fair? They are made to give up some of their pay when the company is not doing so well, is that fair? In China you are killed when making a big mistake at work costing the company major money, is that fair?

Look at our life style here and look around.. Shouldn't we all live like that when we know we have done it this way for decades?

Japan did not make money or cheap steel for a long time. While our steel mills were producing the world steel we were very happy. We kept our old steel mills going as Japan started new technology to produce it better and cheaper. The first go around the price of steel was 20 times more expensive. They tried to sell us better steel and we didn't buy into it. The steel mills became very old and Japan kept looking at new technology. They finally they did it.. We were caught with out dick in our hands with them having the latest and greatest way to make steel and we still have old rundown plants.. That's how it worked. It was not because the employees were getting paid too much. It was because the fat pig at the top was happy making money and was not willing on spending it to make things better.

Please look at safety standards in my industry now compared to just 30 years ago. This costs money but a human life costs more. Maybe take a trip to Mexico sometime and wonder why they can do it cheaper. It looks a lot like our plants did 30 years ago. Technology costs money and the money comes from profits.

Maybe the fat pig at the top should stop blaming the employees and look in the mirror. I always wonder how some of these fat pigs sell off businesses and have some else do the same work with more profit. American Axle is my best example. Why is it AAM can have the same union, twice the employees, all new buildings, all new machinery and the same pay for their employees and make 100 times as much as the last owner. They also sell their parts to the company who sold them for less cost.. Care to explain? Was it the employees? Surely not because they are the same employees +more.. Is it the union? Surely not because they are still there... Is it the pay? Nope they still get paid the same... Maybe.. just maybe it was the fat pigs who gave but two fucks about the employees and/or the old ass equipment they were using..

See the fat pig gets greedy.. He wants as much money in the short haul and gives but two fucks what happens overall in the long run.. So when jobs go overseas someone is looking to make a quick buck and get the fuck out.. Again keep shipping jobs overseas to $2.00 an hour worker and wonder why people are not buying cars.. It may be the same reason we dont export a fraction of the cars we import.. THE PEOPLE THERE CAN NOT AFFORD THEM!!!

[Bobalos]

See the fat pig gets greedy.. He wants as much money in the short haul and gives but two fucks what happens overall in the long run..

Hm, now thats insightfull, I sure wish I had thought about it that way.

Bob

[Jimmy Biggs]

170 Billion....thats not net....look at the net numbers....its very different

[Monty Mikho]

See the fat pig gets greedy.. He wants as much money in the short haul and gives but two fucks what happens overall in the long run..

Hm, now thats insightfull, I sure wish I had thought about it that way.

Bob

Quit patting yourself on the back and give up some input.. :-D

[Monty Mikho]

Jimmy the net numbers are reduced a lot of the 40 fat pigs who take 20 million dollar bonuses.. So its tuff to say look at the net.. We need to look at the gross, bonuses and overhead cost to improve the net numbers..


BTW Im still winning the poll... :-D

[Jimmy Biggs]

I just got off the phone with one of my customers.....I hear Bush is sending jobs overseas....Bla Bla Bla.....But none of my customers can find good help.....they pay good money but one guy has not come in to work since last Thursday....if all the jobs are gone....why can't anybody find people that want to work??

[Sledgehammer]

Here are the cold facts on the economy:

The economy added a net 262,000 jobs in February, the most since October. With the government releasing the March employment report Friday, analysts are forecasting a gain of about 220,000 jobs for the month.

The Federal Reserve policywonks are positive about the economy's growth, yet keeping an eye on inflation (Civics refresher.....fast economy growth unchecked equals INFLATION). Just last week, for the seventh time since June, the Fed raised interest rates. An additional increase to hold inflation in check is expected at the Fed's next meeting, on May 3. Notice the Fed has been raising interest rates just like when they cut them to help stimulate the recessive economy of the late 90's.

Some economists believe that high energy prices and the series of interest rate increases will result in slower economic activity over the second half of 2005 (so Greenspan is doing his job!!!). Some projections for growth for July through December range from an average of just over 3 percent to about 3.7 percent.

Now for the good stuff......Higher prices did not stop consumers and businesses from spending in the final three months of last year. Consumer spending grew at a 4.2 percent rate. That was on top of a brisk 5.1 percent growth rate in the third quarter.

Now to Monty's part of the economic world.....Business spending on equipment and software increased at a robust 18.4 percent pace in the fourth quarter, compared with a 17.5 percent pace in the third quarter.

One item to note at a meeting last week of the Fed that inflationary pressures have picked up in recent months and pricing power is more evident. This means some companies are finding it easier to raise prices.

[Jimmy Biggs]

:-D

[Monty Mikho]

What you have posted is job opening projections and not the actual job openings created.

U.S. Department of Labor

In February, both the number of unemployed persons, 8.0 million, and the un-
employment rate, 5.4 percent, returned to their December levels after dipping
in January. The jobless rate had been either 5.4 or 5.5 percent during each
of the last 6 months of 2004. In February, the unemployment rates for the
major worker groups--adult men (4.9 percent), adult women (4.7 percent), teen-
agers (17.5 percent), whites (4.6 percent), blacks (10.9 percent), and His-
panics or Latinos (6.4 percent)--showed little change. The unemployment rate
for Asians was 4.5 percent in February, not seasonally adjusted.



Over the year, the number of persons who held more than one job increased
by 432,000 to 7.7 million, not seasonally adjusted. These multiple jobholders
represented 5.5 percent of total employment in February, up from 5.3 percent
a year earlier.


Seasonally Adjusted

Unemployment Rate:
5.4% in Feb 2005

Change in Unemployment Level:
+251,000 in Feb 2005

Change in Employment Level:
-97,000 in Feb 2005

Change in Civilian Labor Force Level:
+153,000 in Feb 2005

Civilian Labor Force Participation Rate:
65.8% in Feb 2005

Employment-Population Ratio:
62.3% in Feb 2005

Annual Averages

Unemployment Rate:
5.5% for 2004

Unemployment Level:
8,149,000 for 2004

Total Mass Layoff Events:

12-Month Change
+136(p) since Jan 2004

12-Month % Change
+5.6%(p) since Jan 2004

Total Mass Layoff Initial Claimants:

12-Month Change
+24,498(p) since Jan 2004

12-Month % Change
+10.2%(p) since Jan 2004

Private Nonfarm Mass Layoff Events:

12-Month Change
+195(p) since Jan 2004

12-Month % Change
+8.8%(p) since Jan 2004

Private Nonfarm Mass Layoff Initial Claimants:

12-Month Change
+32,722(p) since Jan 2004

12-Month % Change
+14.8%(p) since Jan 2004

Private Nonfarm Extended Mass Layoff Events:

4-Quarter Change
-395(p) since 4th Qtr of 2003

4-Quarter % Change
-23.4%(p) since 4th Qtr of 2003

Private Nonfarm Extended Mass Layoff Separations:

4-Quarter Change
-88,696(p) since 4th Qtr of 2003

4-Quarter % Change
-27.3%(p) since 4th Qtr of 2003

[Sledgehammer]

Great post......posting actual numbers.......

Where the numbers are a little misleading.....to get a clearer read on the job market keywords followsI feel is second quarter numbers. Do these numbers include people that pick up a second or third job for the holidays so they can afford to overspend and extend? And the same people that retail lays off in the first quarter of the New Year?

I will need to look into the "seasonally adjusted" to see the components and what are they adjusting.

This also reflects the beginning of another change for the US which I don't think is for the best. We are becoming a "SERVICE" economy. We creaping away at a fast rate from a "PRODUCT" economy.

Great post....Monty. Some brain food to sleep on.

Sledgehammer **OUT**

[Sledgehammer]

Oh quick note......employment is one component of economic growth. Over time....we should be working smarter not harder. And smarter does include fiscally too which means leaner work forces.

This gets back to my other post.......

ENLIGHTEN

EMPOWER

ENABLE

and most importantly......

ENCOURAGE!!!!!!!

The "Leave No Child Behind" mandate should also include one for able and employable people "Leave No Person Behind" as a employment and training initiative.

But with that initiative making it work from the private sector......ways can be found to be cheaper and more effective in the private sector in comparison to having a government agency do it. SMALLER gov't not larger. Something like that should be a private initiative anyway. A program like that and tie it into some tax cuts.......to make it attractive to the MBAs that run most corporations today.

Taxcuts that have a direct impact on employment numbers.....now that is a novel idea huh? :-D

[Monty Mikho]

History shows us that when we opened the boarders to allow immigrants to enter this country to make a good living and live in freedom it grew to what it is today. This idea was adopted by other countries but it was too late. Now we are exporting the goods we immigrated people here for and sending it to their countries. How about the government puts a hefty tax on companies that move the jobs overseas to give us a fighting chance to afford what the hell we all came here for.. YES I SAID ALL CAME HERE FOR.. (Unless you are Native American then cancel that :-D ) Do we really need goods from other countries? Honestly? I think we do to a point. But not the point we are at now and heading towards.

[Sledgehammer]

History shows us that when we opened the boarders to allow immigrants to enter this country to make a good living and live in freedom it grew to what it is today. This idea was adopted by other countries but it was too late. Now we are exporting the goods we immigrated people here for and sending it to their countries. How about the government puts a hefty tax on companies that move the jobs overseas to give us a fighting chance to afford what the hell we all came here for.. YES I SAID ALL CAME HERE FOR.. (Unless you are Native American then cancel that :-D ) Do we really need goods from other countries? Honestly? I think we do to a point. But not the point we are at now and heading towards.Isolationalistic thoughts will get you in trouble over the long run. But for national security reasons....I believe we do need to adopt it on a limited scale.

When we were a melting pot (we still are now) the people immigrating also brought a quantifable and marketable skill and were able to make a sizable contribution to society. Hince they had their own oar to help row the boat.

Now there are some that sit down in the boat and expect others to row for them. "HERE'S YOUR SIGN" Out da freakin BOAT!!!! You don't go buy a new car that needs tires and a brake job. PLUUUUUUEASE!!!!

[Sledgehammer]

Payroll Growth Sluggish; Jobless Rate Dips

By JEANNINE AVERSA, AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON - Payroll growth across the country was sluggish in March as employers added just 110,000 jobs, the fewest since July. Nevertheless, the soft labor market accommodated enough people to drop the unemployment rate to 5.2 percent.

The new figures, released by the Labor Department Friday, offered another mixed picture of America's hiring climate. The job market has been the sector of the economy that has been among the slowest to recover from the last recession.

"It wasn't a banner month for the average American worker. We had job growth but not enough to absorb the still large number of unemployed and underemployed people," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Economy.com. "The job market is not in full swing."

Payroll growth, as measured by a survey of businesses, slowed in March. Job losses at factories and in the retail sector tempered gains in professional and business services, construction, education and health services and in other industries.


The 110,000 jobs added in March marked the smallest gain since last July, when payrolls grew by a tepid 83,000. March's payroll gain was half of the roughly 220,000 jobs that economists had forecast before the report was released. Job gains for February, meanwhile, were revised slightly downward to 243,000 from the initial 262,000 reported a month ago.

The civilian U.S. unemployment rate is calculated from a separate statistical survey than the payroll figures. The two statistical methods often can — and do — offer seemingly conflicting pictures of what is happening in the labor market.

The seasonally adjusted overall civilian unemployment rate dropped to 5.2 percent in March from 5.4 percent in February. The household survey showed that 357,000 people said they found employment last month, outpacing the number of people who couldn't find work. Thus, the fractional decrease in the overall jobless rate.

Economists tend to put more more stock in the payroll figures because they come from the much broader business survey, which is based on 400,000 work sites. The survey used to calculate the unemployment rate, called the household survey, is based on 60,000 households.

On Wall Street, stocks rose on investors' beliefs that the sluggish showing on payrolls would keep the Federal Reserve from ratcheting up interest rates. The Dow Jones industrials gained 30 points and the Nasdaq was up 7 points in early morning trading.

In a second economic report Friday, the Commerce Department said construction spending rose by 0.4 percent in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.05 trillion.

Analysts believe the economy in the first three months of 2005 grew at an annual rate of 4 percent or higher, according to some projections. Economic growth probably will slow a bit in the current April-to-June quarter but should still remain at a healthy pace to spur decent job gains in the months ahead, they said.

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and his colleagues, meeting last week, said "labor market conditions continue to improve gradually."

Economists believe that the lackluster performance in payrolls in March reflected businesses turning somewhat more cautious in the face of high energy prices.

President Bush — who was dogged with questions about the health of the job market throughout his first term in office — wants to see the labor market and the overall economy thriving as he seeks to sell the American public and politicians a revamp of the Depression era Social Security program.

Fed policy-makers are feeling upbeat about the economy's growth, yet are concerned about a potential pickup in inflation. They boosted interest rates last week for the seventh time since June 2004. An additional increase to hold inflation in check is expected at the Fed's next meeting, on May 3.

Workers' average hourly earnings rose in March to $15.95, a 0.3 percent increase from the previous month. While that was slightly higher than economists were forecasting, analysts didn't believe it was a harbinger of wage inflation. They noted that hourly earnings have been fairly stagnant.

For jobseekers it is still a difficult climate. There were 7.7 million people unemployed in March with the average duration of 19.5 weeks without work, the highest since November.

The share of the working-age population working or actively seeking a job in March continued to hold steady at 65.8 percent, a nearly 17-year low first reached in January.