News-Record.com

Obviously you don't get it, Iris .. we've been "fighting them there so we don't have to fight them here."

I have an idea .. let's do what Saddam did: put the tired, poor, hungry - and prison-bound on to the front lines. We can stop "fighting them there", and "fight them here", placing as cannon fodder our own tired, poor, hungry, and prison-bound.

"Our government needs to get its priorities straight."

I fully agree with that, but I'm a bit of an isolationist and think that we shouldn't give foreign aid to nations who dislike us. We can consider using money in humanitarian efforts when disaster strikes, but not continue in the international equivalent of buying a round of drinks for the bar.

"Because of jobs lost and no new ones opening."

I just looked at the N&R's job section and, out of 585 available jobs, there were 169 hits for the search term "benefits."

Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do. That might mean using a food bank. That might mean leaving or losing a job. It might mean working a crummy job or three to pay your bills and feed your family until you find one you want to work. I don't know how we can get the government to legislate that fact away.

I liked this part:
"I believe in helping people... Our government needs to get its priorities straight."

It's that continual confusion between actually helping and believing some adequate and tax-driven benign helping force (government) will sweep across the country.

And an aside: It's a shame a potentially interesting topic will soon degrade into personal attacks and blame and assumptions.

Roger

"Because of jobs lost and no new ones opening."

The US economy added 166,000 new jobs in Oct. 2007, twice the amount predicted. This despite the housing bust and increased oil prices.

Ms. Newby,I know the Eden economy has suffered with the loss of Fieldcrest Cannon, Pluma, and other textile manufacturers. But please look beyond the borders of Eden, there are jobs out there including Guilford County.

As for govt. wasting money, that's it's nature.

Roger, I generally like the points made (for the most part). I feel it necessary to note that this comment needs some clarity; "...out of 585 available jobs, there were 169 hits for the search term "benefits."" That is only 28.8%. That is not good in the 21st Century. How do you feel on that?

I find it terribly shameful that in one of the wealthiest nations on earth (supposedly) that people would have to even consider, much less actually work more than one job to provide for his/her family.

I come from a meager background. One where two generations back, home/property ownership was not held. These same people provided for their family's without working two or more jobs!

Things of this nature only prove that something is terribly wrong in this country. Until someone with the power and authority to help enact change steps up, MANY MORE food banks are going to sit with empty shelves.

Remember the food bank in High Point recently that was forced to close until a new location could be found? This was due to the City of HP "needing" the space. Sadly, this food bank was in an area where it was greatly needed AND used. Is it not ironic that the City was doing this while yet helping the people not be as totally reliant upon the City for assistance?

There are priorities out of order in the nation. Until many more people have to find resources such as Food Banks, etc. there will be no change!

Shalom

"The US economy added 166,000 new jobs in Oct. 2007, twice the amount predicted."

I'm not so sure that's the whole picture. Consider this.

Total employment, at 146.0 million, was nearly unchanged in October. Since December 2006 the employment rate seems to have gone down. Compare 63.4%, December 2006 with 62.7% in October 2007. Sure there were 166,000 jobs added, "twice the amount predicted" but overall, it's a net loss.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Thanks for pointing that out Bishop. I found it:

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

Your post correctly addresses the overall picture, but doesn't address the various sectors that are growing vs. those in decline. Bottom line, look for jobs in growing sectors.

According to this report, the major ailing sectors are manufacturing and construction. Everyone knows manufacturing has been on a decline for years. Construction has been booming of recent years but everyone knows about the housing bubble burst. There are only so many houses and strip malls that can be built before demand drops. Construction is a feast or famine industry.

Healthcare, professional/business services, leisure/hospitality sectors all continue to grow. If you want a job these are the areas to consider.

About 60% of my clients are in the health care sector. They often cannot find enough people. I've seen many former manufacturing workers attend training to become Certified Medical Assistants, LPNs, EMTs and other health care related positions.

Perhaps Yvonne could add to that since she is a nurse. Notice health care has added more jobs than the leisure/hospitality sector.

From the report:

Employment in professional and business services increased by 65,000 in
October and has risen by 368,000 over the year. In October, job gains con-
tinued in architectural and engineering services (7,000) and in management
and technical consulting services (8,000). The number of jobs in the employ-
ment services industry rose over the month (34,000), following a large decline
in September. Thus far in 2007, the industry has lost 156,000 jobs.

Health care employment continued to grow in October (34,000) with job gains
in ambulatory health care services and hospitals. Over the year, health care
has added 400,000 jobs.

Within leisure and hospitality, employment in food services and drinking
places continued to trend up in October (37,000). This industry has added
365,000 jobs over the year.

Manufacturing employment continued to trend down over the month (-21,000)
with declines in motor vehicles and parts (-6,000), computer and electronic
products (-4,000), and chemicals (-4,000). Manufacturing has lost 275,000
jobs since June 2006.

Overall, employment in construction was little changed in October. A job
gain in nonresidential specialty trade contractors (16,000) was offset by job
losses in residential building (-9,000) and in residential specialty trade
contractors (-13,000). Since its peak in September 2006, construction
employment has declined by 124,000.

Retail trade employment edged down in October. Among the component in-
dustries, employment in building material and garden supply stores continued
to trend down with a loss of 7,000 over the month. Employment in financial
activities was essentially unchanged in October, although the number of jobs
in its credit intermediation component (which includes mortgage lending and
related activities) continued to trend down.

Thanks for pointing that out Bishop. I found it:

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

Your post correctly addresses the overall picture, but doesn't address the various sectors that are growing vs. those in decline. Bottom line, look for jobs in growing sectors.

According to this report, the major ailing sectors are manufacturing and construction. Everyone knows manufacturing has been on a decline for years. Construction has been booming of recent years but everyone knows about the housing bubble burst. There are only so many houses and strip malls that can be built before demand drops. Construction is a feast or famine industry.

Healthcare, professional/business services, leisure/hospitality sectors all continue to grow. If you want a job these are the areas to consider.

About 60% of my clients are in the health care sector. They often cannot find enough people. I've seen many former manufacturing workers attend training to become Certified Medical Assistants, LPNs, EMTs and other health care related positions.

Perhaps Yvonne could add to that since she is a nurse. Notice health care has added more jobs than the leisure/hospitality sector.

From the report:

Employment in professional and business services increased by 65,000 in
October and has risen by 368,000 over the year. In October, job gains con-
tinued in architectural and engineering services (7,000) and in management
and technical consulting services (8,000). The number of jobs in the employ-
ment services industry rose over the month (34,000), following a large decline
in September. Thus far in 2007, the industry has lost 156,000 jobs.

Health care employment continued to grow in October (34,000) with job gains
in ambulatory health care services and hospitals. Over the year, health care
has added 400,000 jobs.

Within leisure and hospitality, employment in food services and drinking
places continued to trend up in October (37,000). This industry has added
365,000 jobs over the year.

Manufacturing employment continued to trend down over the month (-21,000)
with declines in motor vehicles and parts (-6,000), computer and electronic
products (-4,000), and chemicals (-4,000). Manufacturing has lost 275,000
jobs since June 2006.

Overall, employment in construction was little changed in October. A job
gain in nonresidential specialty trade contractors (16,000) was offset by job
losses in residential building (-9,000) and in residential specialty trade
contractors (-13,000). Since its peak in September 2006, construction
employment has declined by 124,000.

Retail trade employment edged down in October. Among the component in-
dustries, employment in building material and garden supply stores continued
to trend down with a loss of 7,000 over the month. Employment in financial
activities was essentially unchanged in October, although the number of jobs
in its credit intermediation component (which includes mortgage lending and
related activities) continued to trend down.

Thanks for pointing that out Bishop. I found it:

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

Your post correctly addresses the overall picture, but doesn't address the various sectors that are growing vs. those in decline. Bottom line, look for jobs in growing sectors.

According to this report, the major ailing sectors are manufacturing and construction. Everyone knows manufacturing has been on a decline for years. Construction has been booming of recent years but everyone knows about the housing bubble burst. There are only so many houses and strip malls that can be built before demand drops. Construction is a feast or famine industry.

Healthcare, professional/business services, leisure/hospitality sectors all continue to grow. If you want a job these are the areas to consider.

About 60% of my clients are in the health care sector. They often cannot find enough people. I've seen many former manufacturing workers attend training to become Certified Medical Assistants, LPNs, EMTs and other health care related positions.

Perhaps Yvonne could add to that since she is a nurse. Notice health care has added more jobs than the leisure/hospitality sector.

From the report:

Employment in professional and business services increased by 65,000 in
October and has risen by 368,000 over the year. In October, job gains con-
tinued in architectural and engineering services (7,000) and in management
and technical consulting services (8,000). The number of jobs in the employ-
ment services industry rose over the month (34,000), following a large decline
in September. Thus far in 2007, the industry has lost 156,000 jobs.

Health care employment continued to grow in October (34,000) with job gains
in ambulatory health care services and hospitals. Over the year, health care
has added 400,000 jobs.

Within leisure and hospitality, employment in food services and drinking
places continued to trend up in October (37,000). This industry has added
365,000 jobs over the year.

Manufacturing employment continued to trend down over the month (-21,000)
with declines in motor vehicles and parts (-6,000), computer and electronic
products (-4,000), and chemicals (-4,000). Manufacturing has lost 275,000
jobs since June 2006.

Overall, employment in construction was little changed in October. A job
gain in nonresidential specialty trade contractors (16,000) was offset by job
losses in residential building (-9,000) and in residential specialty trade
contractors (-13,000). Since its peak in September 2006, construction
employment has declined by 124,000.

Retail trade employment edged down in October. Among the component in-
dustries, employment in building material and garden supply stores continued
to trend down with a loss of 7,000 over the month. Employment in financial
activities was essentially unchanged in October, although the number of jobs
in its credit intermediation component (which includes mortgage lending and
related activities) continued to trend down.

Ooopps, sorry for the triple post. I got an error message on the first two tries, on the third try, bam....all three attempts appear.

"That is only 28.8%. That is not good in the 21st Century. How do you feel on that?"

I guess we look at things in completely different ways. I saw that and thought, "Wow, over a quarter offer benefits." The newspaper ads aren't all-inclusive. I've only ever gotten one job from the paper, with all the others coming from hustling and sending resumes and follow-up letters and phone calls and just downright trying.

Have you ever thought that the only reason companies resort to advertising for jobs is because they haven't heard from anyone that expressed interest otherwise? The early bird gets the worm and all...

"...that people would have to even consider, much less actually work more than one job to provide..."

Do you sincerely believe that? I think it's absurd, but it's the big difference coming through again. If my child is hungry I'll do whatever I need to provide for her. Well, would. She's an adult now. But, even now, if she called I would do what I could. But there would be an expectation from her, too. Point being that I think people can, and should, adapt to conditions around them. Have two kids before you're 18 and are unwed? Good luck with those crappy jobs for the rest of your life. Theater major? Don't complain about not being able to find a job with benefits. Unwed 18 year old theater major with two kids (sorry)...

Adapt.

Each choice is a different path, and at any moment another choice can be made to change paths again.

Me? I find it shameful that people think they SHOULDN'T have to do whatever they need to do in order to make it. You spoke my mind when you wrote that something was terribly wrong in this country. It absolutely is. The collective "we" is slowly deciding to not be responsible for ourselves anymore.

When did anyone guarantee life was fair?

"Until someone with the power and authority to help enact change steps up..."

What are you hoping for here? A case can be made that the current welfare system has hurt a demographic's family structure, lowered SAT scores, and raised crime rates more than most anything else, and it was created by someone(s) hoping to "enact change."

Ask any parent who has endured the Terrible Twos:
How do you get more of something? Encourage it.
How do you get less of something? Discourage it.

What are you hoping for when you want someone to "enact change"? I'd bet it will do more to keep people poor than it will to improve their station.

Roger

PS- Good to see you stepping into the fray.

Little Dan,
Where did you get information you provided that claimed:

"The US economy added 166,000 new jobs in Oct. 2007, twice the amount predicted."

???????

Just wondering.

From the BLS report that Bishop referred to and I linked. From the top of page 3:

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 166,000 in October to 138.4 million,
following increases of 93,000 in August and 96,000 in September. In October,
job growth continued in several service-providing industries, while employment
in manufacturing continued to trend downward. Construction employment was
little changed over the month.

It's in other places too to name a few:

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/capital-commerce/2007/11/2/boom-economy-generates-166000-jobs-in-october.html

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2007-11-02-jobs-oct_N.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/02/business/02cnd-econ.html?_r=1&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Organizations/L/Labor%20Department&oref=slogin

Yes even the NY Times reported it.

Here is "fair and balanced" MSNBCs take, interesting how they focus only on the negative; manufacturing job losses.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21577315/

Of course they did report that the service sector had grown, but the article ends with the negative; manufacturing job losses.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21637397/

Danny,
Due to your history of "cherry picking" news, and due to your unbridled support of Rush Limbaugh, I wanted you to list your point of reference. Rush creams his pants every time numbers seem to be favorable to Bush, so it would lead one to think you had lifted your info from the "Limbaugh Letter".
BTW: McDonalds is considered a "manufacturer" which I categorically disagree with, so some of those "NEW" jobs are always suspect.

On a related note:
Sorry to see another one of your heroes publicly falter-------AGAIN!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21257498/

Totally backs up my statement about Why I could never be a Republican. You just have to be a "hater".

A thread about jobs and "on a related note" a post to a story about something Ann Coulter said about religion? One must be living in an alternated world to "realte" the two.

BTW Blogbully, I saw the interview with Ann Coulter, and she was in no way offensive. The "interviewer" was attempting a "gotchya" and failed miserably. I know you cream in your pants whenever you find something that makes a conservative look bad, but it's a damp dream at best with this one.

"And an aside: It's a shame a potentially interesting topic will soon degrade into personal attacks and blame and assumptions." Roger

Pretty easy to predict Roger. At least there was an 6 hour lapse from your prediction to it's fruition.

So people are better than machines, huh? Tell that to my killer new coffee maker. I'd take it any day over 95% of the losers who call themselves human beings.

Seriously, I applaud the letter writer for taking this courageous stand on behalf of humans.

And on the factual front, this from an article in the NY Post. Not that facts will change anyone's opinion, since JDR, Yvonne, and their Trotskyite cohort are religiously committed to the idea that everyone is becoming poorer. But anyway:

"Like so many assumptions about trade, the belief that more global competition has somehow lowered the living standards of the average American worker and family is just a myth.

The critics have it all wrong: The middle class isn't disappearing - it's moving up.

The Census reports that the share of U.S. households earning $35,000 to $75,000 a year (in '06 dollars) - roughly, the middle class - has indeed shrunk slightly over the last decade, from 34 percent to 33 percent. But so, too, has the share earning less than $35,000 - from 40 percent to 37 percent.

It's the share of households earning more than $75,000 that's jumped - from 26 percent to 30 percent.

Trade has helped America transform itself into a middle-class service economy. Yes, the country's lost a net 3.3 million manufacturing jobs in the past decade - but it's added a net 11.6 million jobs in service and other sectors where average wages are higher than in manufacturing. Most of these new jobs are in better-paying categories, like professional and business services, finance and education and health services.

Trade and globalization have also helped bolster the balance sheets of American households by delivering higher incomes, lower interest rates and wider investment opportunities. From 1995 to 2004, the real median net worth of U.S. households jumped by 31 percent, boosted by rising home values and stock prices. (Even with the recent housing slump, average home values remain more than 2.5 times what they were a decade ago, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller index.) . . ."

link at:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11072007/postopinion/opedcolumnists/the_truth_on_trade_424240.htm

"BTW: McDonalds is considered a "manufacturer" which I categorically disagree with, so some of those "NEW" jobs are always suspect."

Notice 93K new jobs in Aug. and 96K new jobs in Sept. in addition to 166K new jobs in Oct. Logic would dictate that new job growth is good news, but not for some when an R is in office.

That's why despite the facts, I hear the same line from the naysayers "Yeah jobs grew but they weren't "good" jobs".

Notice health care has added 400,000 jobs this year while the leisure/hospitality sector has added 365,000? Health care is a good place to consider. Unlike manufacturing, you can't outsource hospitals and clinics to China.

Frankly I consider any job better than no job at all, no matter who is in office. I was glad to see job creation when Clinton was in office and I'm glad to see it when Bush is in office. I hope it will continue under the next administration regardless of who is in office.

Coincidence you mentioned McDs Demon Deacon. That was my first job at age 16. I saved to buy my first car working there. More importantly McDs, at least at that time, instilled a great work effort.

Customers were #1 and got top priority, but if there were no customers around mgmt. made damned sure we were cleaning or doing anything but sitting around. My work effort is derived significantly from my couple years at McDs.

Danny,
I could care less who the President is when it comes to the economy. They have little, if ANY control over what happens with markets. But since you are quite light in the area of economics and financial markets, I would also tell you that those healthcare jobs being touted are NOT high paying positions---they include "pan handlers" as well as technicians who are paid little more than minimum wage. And if you notice, in the new construction area, hospitals are at the top of the pile.

It would be interesting to hear those who abhor healthcare reform, to elucidate on WHY the money is going into healthcare facilities at such a rapid pace. It is not a simple answer, but I would love to hear some of the "unwashed" give their ideas.

Regarding the subject of food banks, here's a suggestion.

Discontinue the use of food stamps immediately. Take that money and invest in food banks. Stop allowing the poor to pick and choose what they will buy with my money. (You could go to strict vouchers and still let folks pick out what store they'll get them from)

Give them the basics such as oatmeal, flour, butter, milk, dried beans, rice, basic veggies, etc. Things that will meet their basic health needs.

If they are truly hungry, they'll be happy to receive them.

A family of 4 gets roughly $500 a month in Food Stamps. That's funny cause my family of 4 lives off a $300 monthly food budget! And 2 of us are overweight due to over-eating.

My guess is you'd say a lot more than $38 million.

"I could care less who the President is when it comes to the economy. They have little, if ANY control over what happens with markets."

True, but they get the blame when the economy is sour and the credit when it is growing, with the exception of GWB that is.

"I would also tell you that those healthcare jobs being touted are NOT high paying positions---they include "pan handlers" as well as technicians who are paid little more than minimum wage."

Could you provide your source(s) for that statement please? I provided mine, your turn.

"It would be interesting to hear those who abhor healthcare reform, to elucidate on WHY the money is going into healthcare facilities at such a rapid pace."

I've never seen anyone on this blog stating they abhor health care reform. It isn't perfect. Some of us just oppose the govt. taking control of it.

My best guesses as to why money is going rapidly into health care:

1) The population is growing.
2) The population is getting older i.e. baby boomers
3) Our health care system has developed many new technologies to prolong life, some of them quite expensive. Prolonged life = go back to #1 and #2.
4) The population has adopted unhealthy lifestyles. While smoking is down, obesity has skyrocketed.

Get them kids off the Nintendo and outside playing hoops!!

BTW, thanks for a thoughtful post Demon Deacon.

"since JDR, Yvonne, and their Trotskyite cohort are religiously committed to the idea that everyone is becoming poorer."

Brian, you are so full of crap. I've never said that. Link up, baby.

"The critics have it all wrong: The middle class isn't disappearing - it's moving up.

The Census reports that the share of U.S. households earning $35,000 to $75,000 a year (in '06 dollars) - roughly, the middle class - has indeed shrunk slightly over the last decade, from 34 percent to 33 percent. But so, too, has the share earning less than $35,000 - from 40 percent to 37 percent.

It's the share of households earning more than $75,000 that's jumped - from 26 percent to 30 percent."

It's all in how you interpret the data. When the Bureau of Labor Statistics is blatantly stating that there has been a NET LOSS in jobs and a rise in unemployment, it becomes very easy to explain why there appears to be a jump in the percentage of households earning greater than $75,000 per year.

The folks losing their jobs fall in the poverty level - 75K per year category. As that group becomes smaller, proportionally the > 75K group is bigger. Take a look at the raw numbers (instead of percentages), and you'll be able to see this trend easily. Also, am I the only one who's noticed the devaluation of the dollar? In plain English that equates to inflation. The fact that $4.00/gallon gas is on the horizon isn't helping things. $35,000/year used to be a lot of money, but times... they are a changin'

Thank you, Bishop, for your dedication to facts rather than what seems to be facts. Just this week I read that the dollar has been recently devalued again.