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Published Friday, Sept. 18, 2009 | 6:50 a.m.
Updated Friday, Sept. 18, 2009 | 7:14 a.m.
Sun Coverage
CARSON CITY – The jobless rate in the Las Vegas area continued at a record pace in August with unemployment in the gaming and construction industries on the rise.
The department said the unemployment rate in the Las Vegas area reached 13.4 percent with an estimated 135,100 workers out of a job. That surpasses the record 13.1 percent set in July.
The state’s unemployment rate rose to 13.2 percent with an estimated 182,600 persons jobless.
“Taken as a whole, conditions have deteriorated markedly,” says William Anderson, chief economist for the state’s Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.
Anderson said that while there are signs of a national recovery “such positive conclusions cannot be drawn in Nevada, based on the current assessment of labor market and economic activity in the state.”
In the Las Vegas area, the number of workers in the construction industry fell to 73,400, down 1,000 from the previous month. Employment in the casino and hotel business dropped by 900 workers to 152,500 in August.
The department reported manufacturing jobs in the Las Vegas area fell by 300 to 23,500. And there was a decrease of 600 persons employed in the utilities, transportation and trade industries, totaling 153,300.
The department said the unemployment rates in Las Vegas and Reno were nearly double a year ago. The rate in Las Vegas was 7.1 percent in August 2008.
The jobless rate in the Reno area for August this year was 12.4 percent with 28,400 unemployed. Carson City’s rate was 12.1 percent with 3,700 jobless.
Anderson said, “There are certainly a number of factors accounting for the high unemployment rate in Southern Nevada compared to the north.”
The Las Vegas area “is more concentrated in those industries or sectors which have been impacted the most by the current recession,” he said. “For instance, as of August, 8.7 percent of all jobs in Southern Nevada were in the hard-hit construction sector, compared to 5.7 percent in the Reno metro area.”
He said the gaming and recreation sectors in the Las Vegas area have been harder hit than in Reno. “In the Las Vegas metro area, leisure and hospitality establishments account for nearly 30 percent of all jobs in the region.” In the Reno area, that percentage is 17.4 percent.
The department said on the jobs front, employers in the Las Vegas area reduced payrolls by 60,400 in August compared to a year ago. About two-thirds of these job losses were accounted for by construction, and leisure and hospitality establishments, the agency said.
Anderson said Nevada will benefit from a national recovery from the recession.
“However, if consumers attempt to regain lost ground by continuing to reign in discretionary spending, economic recovery may be delayed in Nevada,” he said. “The state’s long-term prospects, however, are more promising.”
this will hit 25% before it's all said and done.
crazy talk?
ya...nobody thought it would hit 10%.
It will rise more and more unless you're an illegal immigrant. American's are sitting at home and unable to find work while employers hire illegal immigrants and suck off the system that we pay for. Keep voting in Democrats and you'll all be sitting at home and become codependent to our government. This is exactly what Obama and the Democratic Party wants a system where the people must rely on the government to survive.
News like this has me wondering about that rash of murder suicides going on here in the valley. Is it gonna get worse, stay the same, or what.
This will be great when we get all the new Obama / Pelosi / Reid illegals with free healthcare to boot.
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep...
So Obama wasn't lying, he wants to make them legal.
..Vegas carpenters are out of work and poor. Obama needs to pass a bill to give incentives to companies who hire Americans who been it this country for more than a couple years. Something ...create some jobs in Vegas quickly !
Illegals have not stolen jobs from anyone. Its the employers who are turning their backs on their fellow Americans. The big rise in illegals occurred when Bush was President and the Republicans were on control of Congress. Before you lay blame on Dems, show me what the Republicans did when they were in control of Congress since 1994 and in control of the White House since 2000.
Illegals stole your job? Wow, then you must be an unskilled worker! ha ha.
If Americans are losing their jobs to unskilled illegals, then that must mean Americans are under-educated and probably did not take advantage of the education system to pursue post-secondary education.
So, Americans that is your fault!
Many of the construction jobs related to the casinos aren't coming back so there is a surplus of contruction workers in LV. If they want work in LV they will need to change careers. There is a surplus of homes so I don't see that there will be any home construction for some time to come. I don't see what the government can do to restore those jobs unless you are talking about infrastructure and new industries such as alternative energy.
Fogcity:
Get your facts straight.
A typical tree hugger blaming somebody else for choices you and your lunatic leaders promote.
America is an Illegal Mexican cesspool because of the Democrats. California is a good example how the Democratic Party has ruined America. Wake up and smell the roses and look in the mirror and pat yourself on the back, be proud of how your party continues to screw American people.
And now with Obama leading the pack of idiots, America is becoming even more a cesspool with their follower. To top this off, we're stuck paying Obama for life for doing nothing positive for America. Only in America can somebody suck off the system for life.
Hey, if Americans cannot take advantage of the education system and attain a Bachelors degree and lose their jobs to people who do not speak English - they DESERVE to be unemployed!!!
I do not believe that Democrats are allowing "illegal Mexicans" into this country. Both parties have benefited from illegal immigration either personally or financially.
boo hoo...unskilled American workers are losing their jobs because they are too dumb to get a college degree..boo hoo
I really would like to find something to argue against adrian for his comments, but in all honesty I can't find much fault in it.
The times where you could just graduate high school and get a manufacturing construction job with benefits is rapidly declining - if you really want to have a solid footing in this country you have to go out and get a secondary education.
Most of the people who are unemployed - that I read in papers all work at casinos or construction (not all, mind you) - but I don't get the feeling they ever went to college, or for that matter even graduated high school.
Change your career - try something, because simply getting by at casinos and construction jobs isn't enough.
I will say that its definitely the business at fault that hires the cheap labor, I mean for a business it saves them money - I would love to see a company put its foot down and put aside the bottom line and help people out.
Unfortunately with an unemployment rate thats thats half as high as its crime rate - you won't see that type of rescue here, haha.
Fear not ... there are answers to the issues that we in America are facing ... but.. we cannot get solutions to these issues because the two major political parties in the USA are so indebted to special interests that there is no money left after the winners in the elections pay off their benefactors....but... look at the bright side .. next year we will have mid term elections and , once again, we will opt to elect another batch of folks who are bought and paid for.... and once again it will be deja vu all over again.
Hey LasVegas2009, are you threatening me because I have a different opinion than you?
What is this a communist country where a person cannot have different ideologies!
Come on!
There are 73,400 construction workers in Vegas? Why?? Should they not move to other areas of the country where their skills are needed? Vegas will indeed grow again but not at the rate where this many construction workers are needed.
A 2 horse town- gaming and construction. Both rely on growth, disposable income as fuel. A state that struggled to diversify its economic base. A population that is both transient and under educated. Casinos that treat their employees like commodities
Keep on electing people like Reid , Pelosi and Obama and we will be a third world country soon!
I did not advocate for illegals, you introduced the illegal variable into the equation - can't blame me for introducing another variable that counters yours.
Crime Rate will go up, prisons need to be enlarged. People will move away from Vegas to find a new future elsewhere. Hotels will not be filled as they used to be. The city will get a bit smaller but eventually will make it somewhat.
Extended unemployment benefits tie workers to the area. It is a danger of losing benefits if you move out of state that anchors the unemployment. The exodus will come as the benefits run out and then the home real estate market really nose dives.
And more and more people will try and make it as "professional poker players". As a result, the games will get tighter and tougher. We (the poker community) need those Wall Street Super Heroes back, firing up a few thousands on a weekend, playing loose poker. Till this happens, Poker in Vegas will probably be a tough grind.
Millions of more jobs will be lost before we see any kind of turn around. People who have jobs are afraid of losing them.
adrianhu rants: "boo hoo...unskilled American workers are losing their jobs because they are too dumb to get a college degree..boo hoo"
You my friend are a pompas donkey...
College is not for everyone and all jobs do not require a college education.
There are plenty of skilled jobs out there and a lot of them are filled by illegals.
Why don't you climb down from your pedestal and get a life. Maybe you should lower yourself and talk to some of those "unskilled workers" who tends to your needs on a daily basis.
Keep laughing at those who you think are beneath you and someday someone might cram a tennis ball down your throat...
It's sad that month after month we see these reports of increasing unemployment and yet never hear of any specific solutions offered by the state or our elected officials. Are people just content to sit back and wait for a national recovery that will supposedly bring back business to Nevada? (Has anyone considered that a national recovery may NOT bring back as much business this time around?)
Since the recession has hit, there has been very little outside of the box planning on how to create jobs here - a key indicator that it's time for some new leadership. Otherwise, I'm afraid that we may see unemployment near 20% in the next year.
This will hit 30% as soon as City Center is complete. How many construction related people does that employ? 10k+++???
bigb, your comments have subtle xenophobic messages.
I am sure the white community of summerlin is comfortable with a high concentration of blacks on the west side than in their back yard.
You should consider reading Frederick Douglas,
"...All hands seemed to be very well satisfied. Many of the black carpenters were free men. Things seemed to be going well. All at once, the white carpenters knocked off, and said they would not work with free colored workers. Their reason for this, as alleged, was, that if free colored carpenters were encouraged, they WOULD SOON TAKE THE TRADE INTO THEIR OWN HANDS, and poor white men would be thrown out of employment."
People of color have been the victims of systematic racial oppression and you are adding to it with your racist comments towards Latinos.
Scapegoating a minority group as the cause of severe economic and political difficulties. Hmm. That's never been tried before.
its2hot, hget your fact straight. The run-up in illegals has occurred from the 90's until the present which coincides to the time the Repubs controlled Congress. Can you tell me what the Repubs have done during this time to address illegals? Nothing. In fact, because they are pro-business they would favor lower costs to business - i.e., cheap labor, i.e. illegals. Dems tend to be pro-labor. Illegals can't vote so Dems would have no interest in them on that score. Face it. Businesses love illegals. Repubs love business. Do the math.
vegas has a "double - whammy" against it.
1) it really only has 2 industries, tourism and construction to support the tourism. so, when that tourism engine stops...construction stops with it ( as we are seeing right now ).
i don't know the exact percentage, but i bet 97% of every dollar exchanged for goods and services in clark county is derived from someone coming to town and throwing a $20 in a slot machine.
2) everything that drives tourism comes from disposable income and there's so many people out of work nationwide and even people that do have jobs are holding onto every dollar ( that's why there has been an increase in savings )...OR...they are buying homes...hoping they're getting in on the ground level for the next boom. they aren't coming to see the cheesy fake castle and pay $30.00 for "boil in bag" italian food.
i love vegas, but we aren't learning our lesson on this one.
instead of chasing down a pro-sports team, we should be chasing down fortune 500 companies and saving our land for them, not more and more locals casinos.
Usually I make a comment about liberals and dems being the problem, this time I'll keep politics out and offer a few suggestions.
First, economies go through cycles and this time it's no different. Policies by government at all levels do have a minor impact on these cycles. Government is rarely the answer to these downturns. The business down the street hiring is more important than a local politician on a soapbox.
Second, education and flexibility are buffers to help one through these times. We all want great paying jobs, but sometimes doing what you have to make ends meet is more important.
Finally, Las Vegas will recover but will have changed. There will be boom days again and most of us will have learned valuable lessons.
Anonymous Guy has it correctly. The economic downturn has no connection to illegals. It was a result of easy credit and infalted home values. I don't believe that getting college educations should be a solution. Blue collar workers should have a chance for a half-decent living. What we simply need is for business to not hire illegals. It's that simple.
I was being facetious about the need for a college education, however community colleges do offer technical/vocational education for individuals not seeking a bachelors degree.
I agree with fogcity and magoo61, illegals are not the cause of the current economic conditions, corporate greed and the bottom line have crippled our economy, but it is a lot easier to blame a community with little voice (illegals). Illegals do not have official government representatives, no matter what Glenn Beck and Rush say about voting scams.
As an outsider I look at it from a very simple point of view. Vegas is a city driven by one single thing. That would be the availability of discretionary income. In the years of easy credit and free flowing money that was never a problem. Most of the jobs that are being discussed are based in businesses that depend on that income. If Vegas were a manufacturing sector then that would not be the case. Unfortunately I feel that it will be quite some time before the tide will turn. Some things will just have to be looked at as being a reality. Sometimes that is a very hard thing to do. I heard a great analogy the other day. If a turnip farmer continues to grow turnips even though most people don't want turnips he will eventually have to grow something else or he won't be growing anything at all.
pmmart has it right. Those of you that blame one of the two political parties, and think the other is innocent, are mindless sheep that regurgitate the BS that Rush and Fox News have to say. BOTH PARTIES ARE RESPONSIBLE. If you're so concerned about illegal immigrants, why not blame the both parties for refusing to enact/enforce laws that would make it criminal for companies to hire these workers. Bleeding heart dems, there's a time for sympathy and a time to truly enforce existing laws. As soon as an person is identified as being here illegally, deport them. Doesn't matter how they are discovered...through the courts, through the hospital emergency rooms, etc. You'd have to create a severe penalty for police officers just to pick someone up and run their info just because they're suspicious, but that would all have to go into the planning.
Regardless, it's not just these people that are causing unemployment. LV bit off more than it can chew, and this is the result. Did we think that we'd continue to build forever, regardless of the economy? Corporations, workers, etc. all gambled that their industry would succeed, and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. You can't take a chance like that and think you have the right to a job simply because you're American. We do have to take SOME responsibility for our actions, don't we? I guess it's easier to pretend that we're all just innocent victims.
what about when taxes go up to pay for TARP and when interest rates have to go up, they cant stay low forever.
Thanks Obama and to all of those that voted him into office. I hope you realize now that ON THE JOB TRAINING is a painful learning curve.
Hey Mr. Magoo. Get a pair of glasses and look around at the real world.
What taxes do illegals pay?
Social Security? If they are working on the books, FICA tax withheld goes into a bogus account.
Income Tax? Nothing stops an illegal from filing for a tax refund if they pay anything in. Also, they probably qualify for "Earned Income Credit" and will get back more then they paid in.
Sales Tax? Just like the rest of us.
How about the taxes the rest of us pay on behalf of the illegal immigrants?
I am one of those carpenters you are speaking about. Let's have another side to the story about education and clear up adriennes elitist remarks. I graduated from high school right there in that valley that is represented here. I went to work millwriting businesses for entrepeneurs that invested in the future of Las Vegas. Precast yards, block plants, Quarries, anything manufacturing. We provided the ability for business owners to be successful. ALL on a high school education.When work slowed down I went to work at Circus Circus as a dishwasher, one of only 2 white guys in the kitchen to support myself. Then I became a piecework carpenter kicking Jimmy Rhodes butt every day competing for work.
The point I'm trying to make is some of us were too busy making a living and were contributing to the economy of Las Vegas to further our education. And along the way I trained alot of green College BOYS how to do their job.And of course, they cut my throat. Once they used what we in the field taught them for free, they don't need you anymore. I guess you and your kind learned that in college huh adrienne? And I'm also sure you had help along the way achieving your comfy little place in the mainstream workforce. Will you or do you bite the hand that feeds you? Overrated, elitist college boy!!
immigration is not causing unemployment so please stop with that. A good portion of the unemployment in Nevada stems from our really stupid taxes. Taxes take productive money out of the economy that could be used to employ people in jobs people want to use and puts it in the hands of bureaucrats who are not very wise with the money.
We need to cut the room tax and eliminate the state's payroll tax.
Now all you Obamination voters don't forget to send him a thank you card for all this change.
Vegas2009 your economic theory would make you a very good left-wing Democrat. Fortunately, most of what you said is nonsense. Deporting illegal aliens will NOT decrease the unemployment rate.
First, the are in extra legal jobs that are not counted. Second the wages they are paid are typically below the minimum wage -- wages that legal workers cannot get even if they are willing to take the job.
Even if we did deport them all, while some legals would get a few jobs, the result would be to have companies spending money on lower valued uses -- ie paying people more than what they are worth in the market. That results in wasted capital and that means destruction of wealth.
Yes, our government does waste money on illegal immigrants providing services, but that is part of the inefficiency of the welfare state.
Nevertheless illegals are NOT likely causing much IF ANY of the unemployment.
The proper response would be to slash taxes that are disrupting and harming the creation of jobs. The modified business tax is a major problem and should be eliminated. The room tax and sales taxes should also be scaled back while government learns to live within its means (and learns to innovate smarter ways to do the job).
hey porter, instead of posting comments on a newspaper article, enroll in a community college, to avoid economic hiccups.
I am not an elitist because I made the conscious decision to enroll in college after high school and graduate school after my undergraduate education - it's called delayed gratification. I have ten of thousands of dollars in students loans that financed my education. I received little to no financial support from my parents for my education.
So, get your fact straight before you make wild assumptions. Ass-u-me
I'm just jumping into the conversation, midstream, without checking every last post that went before me. But I'll pipe up with this:
Immigration reform most definitely IS part of the solution. The fact is, in this day and age, even those $12 an hour jobs being currently filled by illegals working on forged documents, would go a long way towards helping a citizen and his family get off his or her feet. Plus, many of those illegals get paid much better than you'd believe. From the Spanish-speaking receptionist at doctor's office, to the guy delivering your pizza -you'd be surprised. There are many in the Culinary Union, working on forged documents, working well-paid jobs at all the major casinos, about town. We all know that during the construction boom, plenty got union jobs working up and down the strip, getting $36 per hour union scale. I KNOW this to be true, because I worked at City Center, and saw it right and left with my own eyes. A government worker behind the window at the post office shook his head and told me it's more difficult for a legal green card holder to legally LEAVE this country, than it is for an illegal to gain entry and acquire forged documentation.
/continued/
That said, returning work to rightful citizens will still not correct for all the mismanagement of the macro-economy that others here have pointed out. The construction bubble that blew up this valley is gone, and with it are virtually all of those jobs, anyway.
Here at the local level, we have no choice but to diversify our economy. Those of you who are skilled craftsmen (and are legal citizens or residents), hopefully there will be work for you in non-new construction jobs, at the pace most normal communities have. Or, if you're able to work at something new, a diversified economy should provide broader opportunities.
But just tourism and endless construction is a failed proposition. We've GOT to break away from that.
Actually, LV2009 brings up an interesting point. There is a school in West LV that is 81% Hispanic, and 47% of the children are English ignorant. Which begs the question-were they all snuck in to the US, or do they only hear Spanish all day? I had a friend who told me his wife had been here for 20 years, but she only spoke Spanish. She only allowed her children to watch Spanish TV, like Telemundo. So now her children were having trouble in school due to their language deficiency. Something wrong here....
ADD
With your remarks the only one it makes an a** out of is you!
"The state's long-term prospects, however, are more promising."
Like in about 20 years maybe???
elitist? it's 2009 a bachelor's degree should be step 1, I was told this in the '80's..A small man blames others for their decisions in life. Las Vegas economy depends on construction and tourism with consumers discretionary spending tight because of the rise in gas prices, tourism and construction shut down. How funny it is that people have such short memories--high gas prices began the economic downturn, high gas prices affected everything. The uneducated only have emotional outburst for reasoning, they must blame others, who is it this time Irish? Polish? oh now have moved on it's the Mexicans (nevada=spanish word, california=spanish word ) oh let's go back when this land WAS MEXICO. "these damn Europeans coming in here murdering and raping everyone ruining our country" SMALL MINDS BLAME OTHERS FOR THERE POOR CHOICES IN LIFE
California is a good example how the Democratic Party has ruined America.
Don't tell Arnold he is a democrat.
bdover,
The Clark County School District is now over 60% in enrollment with children who come from families where English is not spoken at home. Nobody knows the total drain of resources our society must spend to "subsidize" these illegals who supposedly keep wages down in this country. But in addition to soaring health costs, many, many state and local governments are bleeding red ink and being forced to raise taxes and slash other vital services, because all of these children here illegally, cost far more than native children do. CCSD spends roughly $7,800 per pupil, per year. That's crazy, as it is. But at my son's elementary school, they're spending $11,000 per pupil, because it's a Title One school due to the fact that almost ALL the kids are hispanic, and their parents don't speak English. Some of the class time, and all of the school's morning assembly time, as well as parent/teacher conferences, etc. has much down time because everything has to come to a halt for the Spanish translation.
Our kids are being cheated out of the best education they can get, and we citizens are paying through the nose for this unfairness, to boot. These kids should be educated in their home country. It's better for them, and it's better for us.
EVERY TIME I READ THE COMMENT SECTION IT IS full of racists comments--great reflection of your city. growing up I had to hear the blacks caused all the problems, now it's the illegals and making up stats (81% of WLV is Hispanic shows just how uneducated and ludicrous you are) please blame God if you hate his creations (Mexicans) so much
To top this off, we're stuck paying Obama for life for doing nothing positive for America.
Please go look at the calendar or google it since you obviously don;'t remember when we elected a new president and he took the oath of office. NO ONE, not a CFO or CEO of a company, a principal of a school or anyone else handed something that was in the crapper to begin with can perform miracles in, what is it now - 8 months, almost 9 months,
Put your money wher eyour mouth is and tell us what YOU would do differently, smart ass!
Extended unemployment benefits tie workers to the area. It is a danger of losing benefits if you move out of state that anchors the unemployment. The exodus will come as the benefits run out and then the home real estate market really nose dives
NOT TRUE! You can move out of State and still get benefits as long as the State you are moving to has the same benefits - ie extended benefits. Some states to not offere extended benefits, like Texas. But most do.
Wakeup,
I agree that we must not scapegoat. (In fact, I want "the Wall" built along the border, and much tougher enforcement of immigration, BUT, I'm a softie when it comes to the illegal families already here. If we can halt the tide of those coming in, then I'm willing to spend the money getting those already here assimilated).
That said, there are now both blue-collar and white-collar workers alike, who can't find work throughout this nation. In addition to the shortsightedness and lack of sound leadership, here in Nevada, America as a whole, has allowed it's entire manufacturing base to be transplanted offshore. Along with all those good jobs, went most of the white-collar jobs that supported them. Our entire economy is being hollowed out, and we need to have a national discussion about what to do about it.
Because frankly, just having a sheepskin from State U, isn't going to help if nobody else is working around you.
Det Munch
I thank the good lord every day that I was working in Nevada when I got laid off and not my current state (AZ)It has to be one of the better ran departments government runs. My original benefits (26 weeks) ran out and I was stressing about no job and no extended benefits.I hate being on unemployment and have seldom had to use it. I am extremely glad it's available after almost 40 yrs. of contributing to it.With stimulis it helps pay the mortgage. Unfortunately it does not afford me the opportunity to further my education. I don't want to be on the Gov't dole but it is a necessary evil currently. I could probably get a grant but then I would feel like I'm taking even further advantage of the system, exactly what I'm against.
Funny stuff some of these comments !!!
So illegals are taking all the jobs and there's no work for US citizens and we should all vote republican???
I would wager the majority of these companies that supposedly hire illegals are owned by staunch republicans !!!
So what is the result? Republicans sticking it to fellow republicans !!!! What a twist of irony !!!
Hucking filarious !!!!!
wakeup:
Nobody here hates anyone, so don't come to this discussion forum with your holier then thou attitude.
Sergio the Prophet makes more sense that most of the politicians we listen to daily...
Larry,
That's faint praise.
Sergio's a self-congratulatory, pompous, bible thumping windbag making pedestrian observations. And I'm not even going to ask what that "zionist" garbage is supposed to be about.
Yeah, that's what I was afraid you were all about. Well, there's no need for me to pick apart your post. It's all out there -in all it's misguided ugliness- for everyone to see.
Harry's really bringing home the jobs, ain't he?
Our fearless senate leader who didn't even speak up for us when osama obama told the whole country
"DON'T GO TO VEGAS".
At least the people out of work won't get the whopper tax increase we have coming next year to pay for Harry's free health care.
THIRTEEN AND A HALF TRILLION AND RISING!
Sergio,
This is a thread about joblessness and the economy. Injecting your religious beliefs into ANY conversation isn't very wise, to begin with. But it's certainly misplaced here. (I AM sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians, incidentally. But that's a debate to be fought on secular grounds, in an appropriate forum...)
Anyway, let's stay on topic, and keep personal religious beliefs to ourselves.
rebelronnie...
"Obama told the whole country; don't go to Vegas."
This is so TYPICAL of the anti-Obama crowd.
Where the hell did you ever hear that?
Certainly NOT from President Obama.
And how did the lack of employment opportunities get shrugged off on Ol' Harry? Did he personally ruin the economy?
Heck, I thought that happened BEFORE January. I may be confused. Reading this crap always confuses me.
porter1rockwell
I'm in the same boat as you. Worked for over 40 years in a "white collar" profession and can't find work in that profession at all (maybe because I don't speak Spanish!). Contrary to what some have posted in other places on this board, we do NOT want to be unemployed, we WANT to find jobs but when for one job opening, 100 people apply it is very discouraging. I saw the writing on the wall a month ago and had the choice of becoming homeless in the next few months, or saying good bye to the great weather and this town I called home now for the last 7 years and loading up the truck and moving back east to my home state, a state that relies on more than one industry to employ people.
NO ONE WANTS to be unemployed; we are not lazy asses sitting home collecting unemployment. We all want to find work. Your self-esteem takes a beatng when you apply and apply and apply and nothing happens. And then there's that little problem of barely making ends meet. Luckily I'm by myself but I can't imagine what it must be like for single moms or dads raising families. There are several in my apt complex like that.
I wish those on this board who think it's Obama's fault or the Repblican's fault or OUR OWN fault for not working would see what this is REALLY doing to the residents here in Las Vegas. And with no end in site - the city is going to lose a lot of good people, if it hasn't already. People have to live, put food on the table and unemployment doesn't cut it. I won't even bring UP the health insurance issue. That's a whole other looooong post.
I find it all so sad. This City had such potential to be something more than what it has become. But I guess politics, greed, no diversity in employment and bad choices by both city and state officials brought this about. But the bottom line was greed, plain and simple.
Sergio
You didn't need to be a prophet back in 2005-2006 - the boom years 0 to see what was happening. My neighbor and I would sit on our patios, with our wine and cigarettes (ah to have one again!), asking ourselves who the hell were buying all these inflated priced homes and how are they going to pay for them when the ARM's come due in - yes 2008, 2009.
So, Serg, don't pat yourself on the back too much about being a prophet. A good glass of Berlinger Merlot (and a Marloro Ultra Light) does the same thing!!!
Sergio,
You don't have to be an "Obama Lover" to respect the President and the office of POTUS.
You do have some valid points there, ah, Mr. Prophet,
but you lose me when you start with the "ZIONIST
CONSPIRACY" b.s.... I bet you see dead people.
We should ALL stamp "corporate bitch" on our forheads until we stop cowtowing to the power elite of corporate america that are taking us for a ride and leaving the country in ruination.
Will the Vikings go to the Super Bowl?
gmag39:
Respect is always given and then one chooses to lose it. Obama had respect when he took the oath. He is losing respect because of his choices and actions. He is responsible for losing respect and can't blame anyone but himself.
What people are failing to realize is the instant Obama became president the end game was over. Obama will get a free paycheck for life he therefore has no need to produce anything useful or meaningful.
Obama is a prime example of affirmative action working at its best. He received preferential treatment for too many years and expects this type of treatment to last forever. This isn't going to happen; he blames Bush or anyone else for his shortcomings. He is the leader now, the blame game is up. Produce something useful and meaningful or leave.
One of the meals I make my young kids which they love is a .25 ramen soup with a shot of squeeze cheese, some canned chicken, sweet peas, chopped up veggies, sprinkled with crunched up BBQ chips.
LOLOLOL Gee, it sounds appetizing. Not exactly healthy either. Soup - VERY HIGH sodium content (high blood pressure in the making), the cheese isn't "real" cheese so again - high carb and fat. Then the BBQ Chips - high sodium, high fat. Yep, real healthy, but by the time your kids grow up, we will have that government health insurance plan so they won't have to worry about getting their high blood pressure meds, Lipitor, heart meds, etc.
Eating healthy is expensive; yes you can cut corners, but in the long run, it's not a good idea. Fast food is terrible, even the stuff they advertise as healthy, It isn't. So you can't feed homeless people orpeople in need with fast food. That will eventually work against everyone.
If someone were to open a restaurant that featured hearty $1 to $20 meals for the poor, out of work families, etc, they'd make a fortune. You can easily make a $1 meal for .20 - .30. A bowl of Sushi rice with a few steamed veggies, meat broth, and a few chunks of chicken or beef don't cost much, neither does a hearty soup bowl with a side of rice.
Another thing: if it is so cheap to make, why would anyone go have it at a restaurant and pay MORE for it then making it at home?????
ps $20 is a lot of money for someone out of work or a family.
I just want to apologize if I wished this place to go to hell, sorry, I didn't mean it.
With dumbacrats in charge, expect it to go to 20%.
gmag,
Turn off CNN and google obama "don't go to vegas"
He said it you idiot! Live on network TV.
You moron.
RebelRon, c'mon, man!
"You can't get corporate jets. You can't go take a trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayer's dime, " President Barack Obama said to a town hall meeting in Elkhart, Ind., as he spoke about THE USE OF BAILOUT $$$.
Now...
How does THAT equate to YOUR STATEMENT;
"hE told the whole country; Don't go to Vegas."
What you said is called "DISSEMBLING", RebelRon.
Yo, Adrian. Let's say we all went to college. Would we all get jobs? No. There are only so many "educated" jobs to go around. With Wall Street and American corporations bloated to the gills with soon to be unneeded positions, a college degree for a desk job will not be the ticket it used to be. There are many jobs out there that were once handled quite well by those with a high school education have for years now been given to college grads because the firm got the college bug. Customer service and floor supervisor jobs are increasingly held by lackluster college grads.
My son used to work for a company that demanded all floor supervisors get a college degree or be fired. Did they need one to do the job? No, according to my son who did have a degree. I'm in the warehousing trade and as I peruse the job postings many employers want their floor supervisors to have a college degree. Do they need one? No.
Tell me Adrian with your college degree, did you go to school and rack up loans to direct traffic in some dingy warehouse? Get on the pickers and forklifts to load those dirty old truckers? Did you spend time in your college speach class so as to be impressive sounding on the phone at a dead end customer service job trying to persuede the stiffs to part with their money. Didn't think so. Better get ready though. When American business gets serious about cutting the fat and outsourcing "educated" jobs overseas, you could be one of those on the outside looking in while the "uneducated" are working. Good luck paying your loans out of your unemployment checks.
Sergio, Good to hear other children being raised like.....children It's amazing how we all made it this far.
Thanks Harry! And just think, he believes all he has to do is raise $25 Million to pay for re-election ads and well forget this horrible nightmare ever happened. Oh, and don't forget Obama, he only comes here to raise money for Harry Reid then leaves our troubled state. Democrat pigs!
Yo again Adrian. If we all went to college and sat behind desks, who would grow and process our food? Who would build the roads? Build the factories? Build your office? Clean up the mess after a tornado or earthquake? Make the steel and construct the pipelines so you can get cheap gas? Drive the trucks to bring to you the worldly goods you possess? Lay the wires and build the internet facilities so you can pontificate in this forum and broadcast your ignorance? Or did you think all the stuff that makes up our modern society was created by a wave of Lance Burtons hand?
If we all went to college and sat behind desks, who would grow and process our food? Who would build the roads? Build the factories? Build your office? Clean up the mess after a tornado or earthquake? Make the steel and construct the pipelines so you can get cheap gas? Drive the trucks to bring to you the worldly goods you possess? Lay the wires and build the internet facilities so you can pontificate in this forum and broadcast your ignorance?
ILLEGALS!
Now get educated
RebelRon is for spending the taxpayer's bailout money on corporate getaways to Vegas.
Sergio is insufferably smug about thinking he has life figured out, and is wild-eyed kook (BTW Serg, I specifically did NOT want to hear about your nasty Zionist conspiracy baloney, but you launched into it ANYWAY).
And Odeman keeps trying to argue with Adrian, even though Adrian left the building half a day ago.
I think we've all been in the sun too long. That includes me.
Um, Sergio, Mr. Prophet, Sir...
I THINK it was the one who calls himself
MUNCH that rambled about noodles and such.
By the by; Why don't you get one of those protective "BUBBLES" and put your children in there. Germ free environment, man!
You must be a lot of fun at parties.
hey odeman, if you would have read all of my posts you would have noticed that I stated not all individuals needs a college education (please note, I am lucky enough to have a 'comfy' job at a research university and pay my students loans).
I definitely agree some individuals find satisfaction in conducting the multiple tasks you highlighted, and fortunately, I do not have to do that back-breaking work, and I can sit at my office desk with a view, and work easily on my computer and that is life.
I am not sure your exact point besides that people do not need college education, but hey it helps and unfortunately people are losing their jobs, homes, and pride. But, what can I do? As one individual??? Pray? Hope? Give donations to non-profits?
We as Americans screwed ourselves? We gave billions of dollars to corporate america during Bush's era and now during Obama. We are hosed, and no one that deserves the help is getting it....it is a DANG shame that people are suffering and sadly taking their own lives because of financial pressures.
I hope we find a solution quickly inside of wasting our time in-fighting on newspaper article web-board.
Yo Adrain and Nick. You get educated. Time to go to truck driving school and maybe get some welding courses on the side. It is the arrogance of people like you that will be driving the "educated" jobs overseas. You are no longer going to be guaranteed a job just because you went to college. Your competition is the rest of the world. With the click of a mouse button your job can be transfered overseas. Keep up with the arrogance and demanding employers kiss your posterior and watch your job evaporate. The ignorant notion that this country will be the brains that will lead the world while other countries do the work is dead. They have their own brains and want no part of ours.
The unemployment rate for those with a degree or higher is nearing 5% and climbing. The highest in history. Where are all those jobs for the educated you claim are out there? Figments of your imagination? Or delusions?
A piece of paper does not mean you are educated or skilled. You sit behind your desk and arrogantly put cheap values on everthing not taught in college. Try being a farmer, machinest, welder, body man, etc. There is more to it than "anybody can do it". That's the cop out of the ignorant who are unable to do anything but mouth off and toot their own horn. Instead of being grateful that people are willing to do these jobs so you don't have to, you tear them down to fluff your ego.
Jim Rogers, of investment fame, has made hundreds of millions in the markets. Many around the world covet his advice if they want to make money. He moved his family to Singpore as he feels, because of our ignorance and unwillingness to do anything but be greedy, that Asia, the land of manufacturing, teamwork, and can do spirit, will be the economic leader in the future. His prediction for the US is in the not too distant future farmers will be making more money than Wall Street bankers. Get your Chinese made bib overhauls before the rush.
Adrian must have felt his ears burning...
Odeman, I was about to weigh in with some points of my own, but then I read your post -it's very good. I say and believe much of the same, myself. But Adrian is not the enemy here. You don't need to be so pugilistic with him (her?).
hey odeman, please do not make assumptions about my life or personal experiences. Additionally, you are not even sure which industry I work in or work experience.
you write like i am sending the jobs oversees and writing contracts for mortgage rates.
have a good night.
DTJ - I am a male.
Adrian,
I won't tell.
Blame it on Obama. Blame it on illegal immigrants. The real cause is an economy based on the welfare of others. Case closed.
adrian
Odeman's post is right on the money. What everyone is trying to say is: Just because you have a college degree, doesn't mean your job is safe. THese days, it doesn't matter if you have TEN degrees - when the pink slips start flying, you may very well be on the receiving end of one.
Jobs are not "permanent" any longer. There is no longer job security in ANY field, and that includes nursing Doc Holiday (but your profession does have a "leg up" on other professions since we will always need nurses since they do all the work anyway!) THere are plenty of college-educated here in Las Vegas that are doing things they probably never thought they would be doing but loans have to paid back, families have to be taken care of, and the list goes on. And that is just NOT in Vegas - it's everywhere. In mhy own experience with my friends, people who have jobs right now have this false sense of security and refuse to admit or understand how bad things really are. I get "well I'm so busy...my job is safe". They tend to live in a vacuum not realizing that their jobs can be gone tomorrow. All it takes is just one more bankruptcy or one more client who can't pay their bills and the whole financial aspect changes and so does your job security.
Only Obama and Harry Reid supporters should get stimulus jobs.
Oh, Oh, Oh, I know Sergio...
The VAT Tax is Value Added Tax. Basically it is a sales tax on products at all stages of it's development. It will bring in Billions and Billions for the Government.
Of course, there is a drawback... YOU are going to have to pay it in the end product.
And, I heard about the VAT on FOX NEWS!!!
Sergio is a wack job. No one is talking about FREE healthcare. Right now many have that thanks to the for PROFIT healthscare program we have now. If you cant compete with un educated labor you should go to Mexico and stop ruining this country.
and for those of you who whine that you cant get a job becasue you dont speak spanish, learn a new language! Why are you so lazy? All over the world people speak several languages. Only lazy Americans want to be caterede to you. The free lunch is over folks.
Sorry to pop you bubble Nick, but there are quite a few people out there who think they will get free health care. All you have to do is listen.
But, I would like to see a poll asking people if they want free health care.
It may come as a surprise to some of you, but there is a segment of society that wants everything to be provided to them.
It will get worse until ICE comes to the rescue. Oh yeah, I forgot our Federal Government has a new agenda. Help the illegals and watch the citizens crash and burn. America you'd better learn Spanish, or you'll never fit in.
No habla English...
nieman1
Extended unemployment benefits tie workers to the area. It is a danger of losing benefits if you move out of state that anchors the unemployment. The exodus will come as the benefits run out and then the home real estate market really nose dives.
nieman1 has hit the nail on its head,nobody even talks about this fact. I also am planning my Exodus,,but in no way will I leave till my BENEFITS of 543.00 weekly is up,,then I will head to Texas. I am just one person,,but know of 30 people in my same boat.I know what all you vegans are thinking to yourselves that its good riddance,,well I agree,and CANT wait to get out of this cultural hole you live in either.
Also to you people that say construction/gaming industry doesnt open doors.Well if you can tell me where I can work 40 hrs weekly,and make 46.00 hourly,,well Im all ears.Why would i get continuing education in another field? maybe I should go back to school,pay 40-80,000 for a business degree,then get a retail manager position,where I can work 60 hours a week to make what i make now.Get off your Educational Highhorse White Collar Posers,,driving your BMW,mercedes,but yet you live in a 800.00 a month condo,but hey you have a ED HARDY t shirt in your closet
Sergio, you remind me of Gen. Jack Ripper in "Dr. Strangelove", only he was more sane.
Hey, I resemble that...
I don't know where you got the idea that a VAT is a tax THAT IS ADDED upon the top of other taxes. In Europe and the UK, the VAT replaces the need for other taxes. In Australia they have a GST (goods & services tax). This tax replaces the need for other taxes,such as sales tax, etc. When you buy an item for $5.99 YOU PAY $5.99, NOTHING ELSE IS ADDED! Basic food is tax free.
Hey young diane: Where in the cat hair did you get the idea that the government was going to do away with any other taxes?
If the VAT was the ONLY tax, well maybe...
But it is not proposed to be the only tax...
bldblu is the mentality that gets us where we are. I can make lots of money with no education so I will not learn more than a guatemalan 14 year old.
Of course it is short term. Now he lives off the goverment. No he lives off taxpayers and is working the system. Texas can have you. Think you will $50 an hour there? They have immigrants too and will prevent your over priced unskilled labor from draining the country forever.
"When you buy an item for $5.99 YOU PAY $5.99, NOTHING ELSE IS ADDED! Basic food is tax free."
It is statements like this that explain why we should not give the keys of government to the libs.
Lesson in VAT......
Manufacture A builds part B that cost $1.00 to make. He sells Part B to reseller. He charges $1.00 markup and then adds the Vats tax of $1.00 for a total of $3.00 that normally would be sold for $2.00 The reseller sells that part to the consumer for $5.99 of which he normall would have sold for $4.99.
You do know that the consumer is the one that gets to pay the VAT tax in the end.
VAT tax is good. Corporations use to pay 70% of the tax and people 30%.
Now we pay 70% and corporate tax is very little. More resources are spent to support big business and their interests. We already cut ss and medical but will speny endless dollars on wars to help oil companies and the rest.
Sergio you are really stupid. You rant you wont pay taxes you wont pay your own healthcare and excuse others of being takers?
Man up and pay your taxes. Dont free load. You want handouts ie employer to pay your healthcare.
You are a deadbeat loser.
Wow ! ........ Just read all these comments, and all it did was get me more depressed about my negative employment status. I have been doing carpentry and construction since out of high school(1988). And this is the longest I have been out of any work (4months now). Needless to say, I have been putting my off time to learning a new career.....Web Development. Actually, have a few leads on some clients needing a website built. With any luck, hopefully this will evolve into a self supportive/financially independent line of work. Co-existing with my construction/handyman/renovation specialist life.
I'm trying something, not just sitting on my ass collecting unemployment watching tv. Lord knows this just barely covers the cost of staying alive and in an apartment. Note - mover to Vegas from Detroit in mid 2007. Love everything about this city, really hate to have to move back to the D.
Need a handyman ? Free consultations and estimates 561-8708
Wish me luck all. Thanks for listening.
Sergio you have no idea of what you are talking about.
I run my own business and have for more than 20 years. I pay full taxes and have never been a drain on the government. A VAT is a very fair tax. NO ONE IS EXEMPT. Everyone pays their share becuse it is a Value Added Tax and you cannot escape it so it affects everyone, rich and poor.
You can always join the military.!!! They are always looking for new troops.
I think being 39 may be too old to join the military.
By adrianhu
9/18/09 at 8:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
Illegals stole your job? Wow, then you must be an unskilled worker! ha ha.
If Americans are losing their jobs to unskilled illegals, then that must mean Americans are under-educated and probably did not take advantage of the education system to pursue post-secondary education.
So, Americans that is your fault!
I can't believe an "educated" person would make a comment like this. First, a lot of illegal immigrant workers posses a skill set that could rival many Americans. That's not the issue. Second, post secondary education does not guaruntee employment. I could have a degree in something completely useless but that's not the point either. Third, if someone truely enjoys found manual labor an develops a skill and doesn't "fail" to get a college education it's errogant of you to judge them for it. True, some people were lazy, now they suffer the consequnces, but I've met a lit of people who choose to do skilled labor because they want to not becuase they have too. The real issue is that companies are looking to cut their costs. Illegal immigrant allow them to do this. They are taking advantage of the illegal worker becuase the illegal worker wants them to, and the American worker suffers because companies have become dependant on illegal labor. It needs to be fixed but only can be fixed by companies taking on a bigger financial responsibility, and in this economy... You do the math