I really have a hard time putting worth to your previous points when you post this at the end of your thread. That's an irrational point in an otherwise rational discussion.

Working in the international shipping industry I have to agree with Mark here, at one point over 40% of the worlds shipping fleets were layed up at anchor. However companies are slowly starting to break these ships back out. That tells me that trade is picking up again, rather than the continued dwindling of the last few years. Nothing MAJOR mind you but it is an important switch in the flow of goods.

 

Mark, I wasn't trying to start any debates, really. This is why I don't post in these threads. But, FYI, not one dealership in my state has closed. Over 75% of the people applying are not from the automotive field. And you are right, Alaska doesn't have the same economic situation as New York or California. It's typically much better here, and better insulated from the usual economic troubles of the rest of the U.S. The median income here is higher than most of the U.S. There is a reason for that.

The unemployment rate is only one facet of the major problem in the U.S. today. The foreclosure rates are going to keep rising. The credit crisis is soon to hit also. I won't quote articles that I've read, or give any more examples of things I've seen. These are my opinions only, I don't expect anybody else to agree or disagree with me. This will be my last post in this thread. Have a nice day.

 

I really enjoy financial debates. The only reason why they ever turn sour is that someone usually butts in with no knowledge of anything at all and calls someone an idiot. I may strongly disagree with your point of view, but I still appreciate it. I love learning new things, and I love being wrong. Don't forget I'm still in college so it's a bit hard to talk politics or finance to anyone around here without emotions coming in to play or blanket statements with no reasoning. Therefor I try and do it on here sometimes.

 

i know from the type of news i get unemployment is going to grow a little higher.
just in my field of business, Blockbuster to close 1000 stores, HollyWood to close 200, Movie Gallery also to close 250 stores by end of 2009.
studios cutting off red box and net flex from new releases for 28 to 45 days.
studios putting movies up on cable and satilite PPV 5 days before release date.
red box sueing studios, studios tell red box raise prices or do with out.
net flex wants out of the dvd business, close distibution centers and be online delivery only by end of 2010 or mid 2011.
walmart cutting DVD section by 90% in all stores.

 

Unfortunately with brick and mortar movie rental companies that's a different problem entirely(at least in my opinion). It was a matter of time before they were phased out(or the fat was trimmed down significantly *read: closing down 1000 stores*). As far as the leasing rights for Red Box I can't comment as I know very little about the situation. It's unfortunate, but people like you are simply the victims of new technology like in so many other industries. At one point in time we had an assembly line of people making cars, at one point in time people delivered telegrams, at one point in time we had to spank it to a nudie magazine. Now all those jobs have been phased out by robotics, cell phones, and widely available internet pornography.

I don't mean to poke fun at the rental industry. I know that's your line of business, but from a consumer's prospective there is just more convenient technology out there. Heck pretty soon Red Boxes will be obsolete. There's already a few websites offering 1080p high definition you can steam through your computer at home. You won't even have to leave your house to rent a video(I'm not aware of cable/dish offering high definition pay-per-view yet, but it is also in the same category).

 

I will say it will jump tremendously early to late next year just from NASA, where i work. So it will go up. That alone will jump the statistics several points.

 

So Mark, when can we expect things to start picking back up in MI? What's our unemployment rate here, 16% or something stupid? Our whole lively hood up here is based on the Auto Industry, and there's just a faint pulse coming from it lately. Pretty depressing up here...

 

there was a carter then a reagan........now there is an obama and whos the next guy in 2012?

 

cause regulation is just great for business

Check out that mindless Clinton and his awesome Community Reinvestment Act. That did wonders.........to help start the mess we are in!

 

Deregulation is great for SOME business - not yours and mine, but a very few members of certain oligopolies out there. I would consider that we're doing the right thing when large corporations are screaming bloody murder; otherwise, if legislation gets passed and there is nary a peep, that means that the gazillionaires are benefiting, and befitting handsomely.

As for us, if we could just get past the silly Republican/Democrat, Liberal/Conservative name-calling, we would see that corporations own Washington. The population is having silly said/she said arguments about politicians and all the while our pockets are being emptied.

Every time there is a huge problem (like the mortgage crisis and associated meltdown) there is an opportunity for reform, but the corporations (and the lackeys they own in Washington) seize the opportunity to actually make things better for themselves than before!!! It's crazy, I tell you.