The State of the Economy

Nick can't find a job.

I live in constant fear that I will walk into work and be told the government is downsizing and then be out of a job.

My sister just spent 20 minutes on the phone telling me that her husband was downsized. The company cut all of the people who would have been vested this year, and others totaling 15% of its workforce. They are holding his severance pay until he signs an agreement stating he will not work in that field any more. However, Rick's career has been built doing accounting for companies that do what this company did. They are about to lose their house, and because things have been so bad, aren't likely to get a rental (credit).

I can't help. They don't qualify for any government assistance. The only jobs within 1 hour of their zip code are: Fire fighters, EMTs, Metal fabricators, and cashiers. That's it.

Things are bad everywhere.

And on a totally unrelated, and happier note, the geranium that I've been trying to root into a pot of second-hand dirt at work, has sprouted new leaves.