Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I saw this on CNN just now and thought it was very illustrative of just how bad things look when you get a wider perspective. Given that the map says that the U.S. had 8.8% unemployment in October 2009 (I think it was quite a bit higher than that!), the 'colors' might really be bleaker.
Fascinating map. What struck me is how much purple (high unemployment) there was in the Mississippi Delta region in the supposed good times in early 2007. I know Detroit and other rust belt areas have had it rough for awhile, but the map illustrates that there were other areas suffering too before the bottom fell out on everyone.
Fascinating map. What struck me is how much purple (high unemployment) there was in the Mississippi Delta region in the supposed good times in early 2007. I know Detroit and other rust belt areas have had it rough for awhile, but the map illustrates that there were other areas suffering too before the bottom fell out on everyone.
The Mississippi Delta region has had high unemployment/high poverty for over 100 years.
Wages are too high. They should be half what they are. Economics 101.
That may work if the government wasn't hell bent on destroying the dollar. If you think people could cut their wages in half and still survive then you are out of your mind.
Now, I will agree lower wages can be a good thing, it should in turn decrease the cost of US manufactured good and help them compete for export, but that is just never going to happen.
If anything, non-union wages are too low while union wages are wayy too high on average.
Wages ARE being cut. We didn't have a minimum wage increase for a decade (even as prices on everything else rose), benefits are being slashed, many pensions are being frozen or eliminated, 401k matches ceased, and there has been a a steady progression from full-time to part-time employment, and a trend towads temporary employment and away from secure, permanent jobs. Where I work, we haven't had a cost of living wage increase in three years. Doesn't seem to be helping anything, except sending more profits to a select few.
I heard an economist say that a true living wage in this country needs to be about $13.00 to $14.00 per hour MINIMUM. What a stiminulation to the economy THAT would be, and there would be much less of a drain on government assistance and subsidies. But that will never happen.
I live in Michigan (stop laughing) and watching this progression map I find that on the plus side Michigan's color did not change much over the 2+ years. On the negative side...well you know the story.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.