Like Gareee, it's really bad here.  We have 7.8% unemployment and it's growing.  It's so bad that the Dept. of Economic Security (which oversees Unemployment Insurance) just laid off 360 people and cut the hours back to a four-day work week.  Police and Firefighters are being laid off here and the schools have to cut over 1.6 billion from their operating budget for next year.

I haven't had steady work since I got laid off last May.  My last day at work was Dec. 26 and it's not for lack of trying.  I average 5 interviews a week but we had a job fair here last week and over 15000 people turned out to apply at 500 jobs.  I'm going up against younger people and, even though it's illegal, I've been told more times than I care to count that I'm too old because I'm over 55.

The problem is, even with Pres. Obama's stimulus package in place, it's going to create jobs that I won't qualify for.

Hugz from Phoenix, USA

Victoria

Remember, sometimes the dragon wins. Correction: MOST times.