The Job Market Report Update
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
We're missing the point...
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2012/07/who_invented_the_internet_the_outrageous_conservative_claim_that_every_tech_innovation_came_from_private_enterprise_.single.html
Yes, private tech companies DID NOT invent the internet! Nor did they invent the protocols that allow the internet to function the way it does. Yes, the Federal government built a good portion of our highway system that allows for the transportation of goods from port cities to the rest of America. And YES, local municipalities built the water and sewer systems (as well as the access roads) that allows businesses to function and people to get to them.
But, guess what?
We PAID for all that infrastructure, with our tax dollars. It's not like it was just given to us out of the goodness of government philanthropy. So, when our President gets up before an audience and announces to small business owners, "...You didn't build that.", he's technically right. BUT, what was IMPLIED by that statement was that, somehow, the private sector owes something BACK to the community for the use of these infrastructures, even though they financed (and continue to finance) it! Small business owners pay municipal taxes, just like everyone else in the community. Beyond that, they collect sales taxes that go straight towards city and state coffers.
Small businesses owe NOTHING for the use of municipal infrastructures, nor do they own anyone for the use of the internet. And they DID build their businesses, through hard work during long hours while sacrificing time away from family and leisure.
Sorry, Mr. President, but you were just plain wrong on this one....
Yes, private tech companies DID NOT invent the internet! Nor did they invent the protocols that allow the internet to function the way it does. Yes, the Federal government built a good portion of our highway system that allows for the transportation of goods from port cities to the rest of America. And YES, local municipalities built the water and sewer systems (as well as the access roads) that allows businesses to function and people to get to them.
But, guess what?
We PAID for all that infrastructure, with our tax dollars. It's not like it was just given to us out of the goodness of government philanthropy. So, when our President gets up before an audience and announces to small business owners, "...You didn't build that.", he's technically right. BUT, what was IMPLIED by that statement was that, somehow, the private sector owes something BACK to the community for the use of these infrastructures, even though they financed (and continue to finance) it! Small business owners pay municipal taxes, just like everyone else in the community. Beyond that, they collect sales taxes that go straight towards city and state coffers.
Small businesses owe NOTHING for the use of municipal infrastructures, nor do they own anyone for the use of the internet. And they DID build their businesses, through hard work during long hours while sacrificing time away from family and leisure.
Sorry, Mr. President, but you were just plain wrong on this one....
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
No one is truly successful on their own, according to Barack Obama
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/07/15/obama-dashes-american-dream-suggests-nobody-achieves-success-alone/
After having watched this speech in it's entirety, it's just so OBVIOUS the disdain that Barack Obama holds for successful business people. In his eyes, every successful business got that way on the backs of the poor and down-trodden. Heck, there's not a company in business today that would have gotten ANYWHERE if it weren't for the ditch diggers and laborers who built this country's roads and bridges. The person who works 80 hours a week, risking his own money to build and grow his business doesn't work ANY harder then the person who's pushing a shovel into the ground to lay down water pipes for the city.
Really? REALLY??
The message is load and clear... If it weren't for the GOVERNMENT (and it's workers) building and maintaining the nation's infrastructure, private enterprise couldn't even exist. Therefore, private enterprise OWES something back.
Never mind that it's OUR tax dollars that funded the initial construction and continue funding the maintenance of these systems. Never mind that it's private enterprise that makes municipal bond sales possible, so that local and state entities can afford these projects.
Do small business owners think they are smarter then the average joe, allowing them to create a successful and profitable enterprise? In some cases, YES! They figured out an easier or better way to get something done, and figured out how to market that to the rest of the world to earn a profit. But, for the most part, small business owners do NOT think themselves smarter then the rest of us. They just decided to do what most of the rest of us are UNWILLING to do:
After having watched this speech in it's entirety, it's just so OBVIOUS the disdain that Barack Obama holds for successful business people. In his eyes, every successful business got that way on the backs of the poor and down-trodden. Heck, there's not a company in business today that would have gotten ANYWHERE if it weren't for the ditch diggers and laborers who built this country's roads and bridges. The person who works 80 hours a week, risking his own money to build and grow his business doesn't work ANY harder then the person who's pushing a shovel into the ground to lay down water pipes for the city.
Really? REALLY??
The message is load and clear... If it weren't for the GOVERNMENT (and it's workers) building and maintaining the nation's infrastructure, private enterprise couldn't even exist. Therefore, private enterprise OWES something back.
Never mind that it's OUR tax dollars that funded the initial construction and continue funding the maintenance of these systems. Never mind that it's private enterprise that makes municipal bond sales possible, so that local and state entities can afford these projects.
Do small business owners think they are smarter then the average joe, allowing them to create a successful and profitable enterprise? In some cases, YES! They figured out an easier or better way to get something done, and figured out how to market that to the rest of the world to earn a profit. But, for the most part, small business owners do NOT think themselves smarter then the rest of us. They just decided to do what most of the rest of us are UNWILLING to do:
- Work long hours every day, including weekends, for next to nothing at the start of their business
- Risk their own money and credit to fund their startup
- Sacrifice vacation time, sleep, and luxury items like taking the family out to dinner occasionally
- Deal with customer, vendor, inventory AND employee issues
Here's some food for thought.... If starting your own business and being SUCCESSFUL at it were easy, we'd all be running successful small businesses. Small business owners pour their hearts and souls into their companies. They make (sometimes very painful) sacrifices to get to the point where they can call themselves successful. Given the financial hoops that they have to jump through just to get started, and the maze of regulatory roadblocks they have to navigate to STAY in business, it's a wonder anyone bothers.
So, to say that a successful small business owner somehow owes their success to the guy that dug up the drainage ditch out front, is just a TINY bit disingenuous....
So, to say that a successful small business owner somehow owes their success to the guy that dug up the drainage ditch out front, is just a TINY bit disingenuous....
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
The state of the PERSONAL economy
Having made it my job to keep a finger on the pulse of the economic news being put out by the media, it's quite obvious that things are tough on the job front. I personally, however, have been able to avoid the pitfalls of a struggling economy. I've worked steadily full time for the last 22 year, and part time for 5 years before that. I've managed to create a pile of debt, and then pay that dept down to about nil right now. I've been able to save a little here and a little there, but always seem to have to use that savings for those rainy days that creep up every now and then. I live paycheck to paycheck, yet have been able to start a business that I hope eventually will be able to replace my company salary.
In other words, I'm not getting rich right now, but I'm also not struggling to make ends meet, like you hear about in the news stories.
My question is, am I one of the few 'lucky' ones, or is my story more the norm then the exception? Are things really as bad as I read about in the reports put out by the government and media sources? How are the rest of you doing?
Yes, I'd really like to know...
In other words, I'm not getting rich right now, but I'm also not struggling to make ends meet, like you hear about in the news stories.
My question is, am I one of the few 'lucky' ones, or is my story more the norm then the exception? Are things really as bad as I read about in the reports put out by the government and media sources? How are the rest of you doing?
Yes, I'd really like to know...
Friday, July 6, 2012
June employment numbers from the BLS are TERRIBLE!
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
There were rumblings that the economy might have created upwards of 170,000 new jobs for June, as per the ADP employment report. That turned out not to be the case. They were off by a LOT!
June saw only 80,000 net new jobs created. To put that in perspective, the economy has to create upwards of 350,000 NEW jobs a month, JUST TO KEEP UP WITH POPULATION GROWTH. In other words, while those who DID have jobs are struggling to find new ones, those who are looking for the first time are REALLY having a tough time of it. And the situation only gets worse every month that goes by with sub-par job creation.
America needs a kickstart, and NOW!
There were rumblings that the economy might have created upwards of 170,000 new jobs for June, as per the ADP employment report. That turned out not to be the case. They were off by a LOT!
June saw only 80,000 net new jobs created. To put that in perspective, the economy has to create upwards of 350,000 NEW jobs a month, JUST TO KEEP UP WITH POPULATION GROWTH. In other words, while those who DID have jobs are struggling to find new ones, those who are looking for the first time are REALLY having a tough time of it. And the situation only gets worse every month that goes by with sub-par job creation.
America needs a kickstart, and NOW!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Yes, it's still all about the economy. When you're grasping at straws, any little piece of good news helps
http://economywatch.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/05/12577589-layoffs-appear-to-ease-in-good-sign-for-job-market?lite
It would appear that the economy, for the time being, isn't getting any worse, and might actually be improving a bit. We'll see what the Friday employment numbers bring, but I'm betting they will show a MODEST improvement. But threats still lurk behind the shadows, and there's no way we're going to grow the economy enough to handle the employment demands of all the new prospective workers entering into the job market.
But every little bit helps...
It would appear that the economy, for the time being, isn't getting any worse, and might actually be improving a bit. We'll see what the Friday employment numbers bring, but I'm betting they will show a MODEST improvement. But threats still lurk behind the shadows, and there's no way we're going to grow the economy enough to handle the employment demands of all the new prospective workers entering into the job market.
But every little bit helps...
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Sluggish economy going the wrong way
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/recession-now-much-more-likely-2012-07-02
Manufacturing? Down
Auto sales? Forecast to decline well into next year
Job growth? Sluggish, and getting weaker
European economies? In trouble
Consumer confidence? Down
Consumer spending? Down
And now we have a new expensive healthcare bureaucracy to look forward to starting next year, should our current President gets re-elected.
I don't know about you, but I'm not feeling all warm and fuzzy inside right now.
But hey, at least gas prices are dropping....
Manufacturing? Down
Auto sales? Forecast to decline well into next year
Job growth? Sluggish, and getting weaker
European economies? In trouble
Consumer confidence? Down
Consumer spending? Down
And now we have a new expensive healthcare bureaucracy to look forward to starting next year, should our current President gets re-elected.
I don't know about you, but I'm not feeling all warm and fuzzy inside right now.
But hey, at least gas prices are dropping....
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