Are jobs and our economy picking up or still in a freefall?
Nearly one-third of the country’s top executives expect to cut payrolls in the coming months as companies cope with a weakened economy dogged by housing, credit and financial problems.
According to this Associated Press story, a survey by the Business Roundtable, released Thursday, showed that most executives expect sales and capital investment to remain at current levels or even improve over the next six months. The survey points out that the challenging economic environment is forcing companies to produce more with fewer workers, a key driver of recent increases in U.S. productivity.
“Our CEOS realize there are still challenges for the economy going forward,” said the group’s chairman Harold McGraw III, president and chief executive officer of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
The story points out that the economy perked up in the spring after two dismal quarters, mostly a result of the government stimulus checks. Most say the rebound isn’t expected to last.
A growing number of analysts predict the economy will shrink in the final quarter of this year and possibly the first quarter of next year. They predict that economic slowdowns overseas may sap export growth and Americans will hunker down as the bracing tonic of the rebates disappear.
If you’re out of work now, you may be struggling financially for a long time to come.
Will the coming holiday shopping season pick up the economy and lead businesses to hire more and start bringing our economy back up, or will we be looking forward to another year of layoffs, few available jobs and more misery?
Are jobs and our economy picking up or still in a freefall?
The economy will not improve until there is more visibility on whether we will have a capitalist or socialist in the White House.
Or we see how the war materials future looks. There may be near full employment under McCain/Palin, as defense spending skyrockets, and defense employment soars. If you lessen the pool of job seekers (by killing them off overseas) at least short term….
“He kept us out of war, boys (Until after the election.)” First cited applied to the isolationist, then participatory stances taken by Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Full-employment military socialism…that’s McSame and the Snow Queen.
The only job picking up I know of is groundskeeper at Six Flags.
The last 15 years have produced bizarre economic patterns that have gone against most traditional theories and models. Growth and deflation together, recession and inflation together, and other things that aren’t really supposed to happen.
Usually one can read enough of the opinions and data reports to have a decent idea of what is going on. This year I can’t personally figure it all out.
I don’t think it is picking up or slowing down. I think the economy is stuck. Going nowhere fast. Some sectors are doing better than last year and some aren’t. It’s almost like everyone is standing on the sidelines waiting to see what the other guy is going to do…
Things will probably start to move more once the election is over, but which way is anyone’s guess.
Despite some popular opinions, I don’t think the President is going to have a big affect either way, regardless of who wins the election. You want a powerful man, look at the Federal Reserve Chair…he has more affect of the economy than anyone else.
First, there is no reason for tax dollars to go to keep any privately owned business afloat because they weren’t prudent in their business
decisions. That includes automobile companies and lending institutions.
To pay a company for failure is ridiculous.
Next, the reason the entrepreneurs are not opening new ventures is because our State’e and Federal government are unstable. Example: Taxes on a business can change by the DAY. Laws governing goods and services can be changed at every legislative session. That is ridiculous.
The Stimulus awards…????? When is the last time anyone spent themselves into prosperity? Never. Try giving all the employees of the PD a $500.00 stimulus package, and see what your profits will do. They will dive Downward. The Stimulus type of programs are ridiculous
Finally, The time to open a new venture is when the economy is bad. None are being opened because of Government is not stable, but the economy is bad.
The number of jobs are not increasing at the present time, and will decrease for the next 6 months at least.
Tim is right on the mark, a flat economy is what we have right now. Anybody that thinks ANY President conrols the economy or jobs is not too bright. There are plenty of jobs out there just not living wage jobs. Companies budgets have been hit hard by feul and energy costs this year and are trying to cope with that. (most budgets were figured in ‘07 with $3.00 gal. gas & $3.25 gal diesel) There IS also a wait and see consortium happening.
Teresa I meant to address your concerns, and didn’t. I can enlighten you about Sarah Palin. She is the only candidate on either party who has created jobs of adults. She personally negotiated with the Canadian prime minister and his staff a 1700 mile natural gas pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to the Border of Canada and the U.S. She did that within her first 6 months of being elected Governor. Contracts to bid were let, and bidder selected. and the pipeline is now under construction. It’s now under construction. It will provide 10’s of thousands of jobs for Alaskans and Canadians.
Name any governor of any state that has created that many high paying jobs in private industry, You cant. Sarah wasn’t picked as a VP because she is a gorgeous looking woman, but because she is a doer.
I grant you that she has an advantage over other state governors because Alaska is the wealthiest state in the nation. Alaska and Canada will share to cost of the line (A;Asoka will pay the highest percentage.)
Steel Companies in the U.S. and internationally will beneficent by making the steel pipe.
I won’t insult you by telling you that Hussein in some3 4 years, as a Community Organizer, got some 400 Black kids summer jobs, and that is admirable.
Why do you think the gas line ends at the border, and will not feed the gas into lines in the lower 48 connsidering Alaska has enough gas to supply the United States and Canada into the next century? The answer will surprise you!!!!
Folks’ view on the economy tend to be a bit myopic–deservedly so. If they are working, getting substantial raises, and able to pay all their bills in a timely manner then all is peaches and cream. Then there are those of use who can’t. The ones forced to take additional jobs to make ends meet, layed off from their job, or had the local XYZ store close because of hard times meaning a further drive at higher fuel costs. To those in the latter category, the economy is bad and no improvement is on the horizon.
I predict that after 1 solid year into the new administration, the economy will begin to improve. ANY change will be welcomed and viewed as a positive.
In the meantime, we all have to cut back and simplify a bit: less entertainment outside the home, maybe a committment to 3 more years driving the old Chevy, postponing building that new home, looking more closely at the sales racks in the stores, re-establishing a relationship with a teenage son or daughter, mending a marriage, challenging our perspectives. Not eating $15.00/lb steak isn’t the problem; it’s KNOWING that we can’t eat $15.00/lb steak that makes us angry.
While the rest of the economy has suffered, my work has increased steadily. We are seeing that companies are willing to spend on the goods and services we provide. I suppose because it’s benefit is increased efficiency. We are actually moving to a new facility soon because we need more room.
On a personal level, gas prices and higher prices in general have meant fewer weekend trips for us. My wife and I had planned a trip out west this year but postponed it until next year. That my change soon. I got an email this week from a very nice condo complex where we stay in Branson and their rates are a low as $39 a night for September and October. I think after the election, America will feel the weight lifted and things will loosen up.
Knowing that you can’t eat $15/lb steak makes you angry, Ryan? Why? Do you feel you should be ENTITLED to eat $15/lb steak even though you apparently cannot afford it? Why? Maybe I don’t get it, but who feels like they should be able to eat expensive steak even though they can’t afford it? I’m confused. I’ve been driving the same van for 11 years and will continue to drive it until it dies never to be resurrected again. I drive it because we can’t afford a new vehicle right now. That is the way it is. Is there something wrong with my way of thinking? I don’t resent not being able to drive a new vehicle because we just can’t afford it, nor am I angry about it. Should I be resentful?