CNN

Yes, almost every day I see the impact of wasteful spending and the explosion of socialistic programs that destroy the fiber of our economy and way of life. Obama must resign immediately

Local taxes are increasing, the neighbor had his hours cut (again) and both he and his wife are now looking for second jobs. The credit card companies have sent me notices that they intend to increase my interest rate ( $0 balances on all my cards). And gas prices are up 40 cents a gallon in the last couple months. I don't know who the economy is "turning around" for, but it isn't for anyone I know.......

No signs in my life that the economy is turning around, despite what Premier Berlusconi is telling us in Italy! That reminds me, this recession has made me hungrier than ever! Excuse me, as I look for a morsel of bread and a wedge of parmesan cheese.

No. I do not see any signs in my day-to-day life indicating that the economy is turning around. How can it when the price of every thing I buy is gradually going up? Especially when unemployment continues to climb, food and gas prices are creeping higher as auto and health insurance rates and property taxes increase not to mention the outrageous bilking of consumers and taxpayers for billions of dollars by the credit card industry and financial institutions too big to allow to fail according to the Federal Reserve and Treasury.

The highway traffic has picked up again. According to newscasts we appear to be making some headway, but locally everything appears to be about the same. Housing prices are still declining and according to some of our friends who have ARMs that have not ballooned yet, the worst is yet to come in the housing arena.

Not from my view from here in the cheap seats Jack. It still looks dismal and more bad financial news is coming about commercial mortgages, the manufacturing sector and the ballooning federal debts around the globe. But all our leaders are telling us stories about the rebounding economy so who am I to question them? But I am enjoying my quasi unpaid vacation though.

Jack, I'll have to get back to you in a few weeks, rumor has it that our company is planning to lay-off between 200 and 700 people on June 5th. Some managers are taking an early retirement package on June 3rd along with a few other employees that have been here for a long time. The rest of us have updated our resumes in anticipation of bad news.
If I don’t survive this cut, the economy won’t be turning around for me but at least I will be able to watch the entire Situation Room instead of just the last hour.

I don't see much change where I live aside from the stock market being up a little bit. People are still losing their jobs left, right and sideways.

Jack, you now seem a little more than desperate in trying to find some small accomplishment to boost the President's flagging image. You crossed the line from journalism to political activism long ago, my friend. I believe is called "jumping the shark" – it's ruined your credibility, but somehow still fun to watch.

The only sight normal people will see is unemployment, so if unemployment keeps escalating at the rate it is, we wont see much change even though the economic indicators show’s sign of improvement. Without employment people can’t go about their normal way of life. The signs are there on Wall Street but it has yet to hit Main Street.

The only sight normal people will see is unemployment, so if unemployment keeps escalating at the rate it is, we wont see much change even though the economic indicators show’s sign of improvement. Without employment people can’t go about their normal way of life. The signs are there on Wall Street but it has yet to hit Main Street.

Brooklyn,New York

I see no signs of turning around. I just got an offer from GM to trade in my investment at less than 10 cents on the dollar. My choice is that or lose everything when they go greasy side up. The only sign I see is the water swirling around in the bowl that I fell into.

Jack,

Sadly enough, I still reside in Michigan close to Detroit.

To answer your question, the American "economy" car I'm riding in is going down one hell of a bumpy road too fast with a failing set of brakes!

Also, the worst part of it all! ….There just doesn't seem to be a reverse gear in it either!

Houses are selling.

Jack,

I work at an automobile dealership that carries both GM and Chrysler brands. There were days not long ago, when maybe 3-4 of 17 sales consultants met with a potential buyer. After 32 years, I've never seen anything like it. It's changing now. We're not 'hitting the cover off the ball,' but we're getting our share of 'swings.' Traffic is improving, and more importantly, we're seeing more buyers. To be fair, in my career, after rebates, incentives, and discounts, we've never sold cars more cheaply. But, we're starting to sell them again.

Rick, OH

None. Next question.

Personally, I haven't seen any visible signs that the economy has turned around.......YET! The business that my husband and I run is still pretty much in the tank, but I do have hopes that things will improve very soon. It's going to take time and patience, but unfortunately, that is running out for a lot of people.

NO. For about a week things seemed to be looking brighter and some new jobs came through, but now things are looking bleaker than ever. No jobs to bid, which means no jobs to build. Housing in California will take awhile to turn around and our out of control spending Democrats aren't doing anything to help that. Wish they could deal with the budget crisis in a realistic manner, like cut out free school lunches, instead of the teachers!

No. I live in California. It used to be if you worked in the entertainment biz you made good money- alot of hours- but the paychecks were good. Now; nobody's working. Prop houses are closing, people are loosing their homes. There's no work here. And no one is talking about it! The news has completely ignored us. I'm talking about the guys who bust their &*%^*. Propmasters, set dressers, grips, etc. We're loosing everything and no body cares! Not even Arnold.

Jack: Good news!! Two houses out of the 30 up for sale sold this past week. The 30 houses are less than one mile from my house. No, Jack you can not buy my house. It is not for sale.

What I do see is a major, 180 degree change in my family's attitude about money, and economics in general. We are a family that used to think credit would never dry up and if you needed more money you just refinanced your house or moved your credit debt to a new credit card with a higher limit.

No, our situtation is not turning around and I think the people who see green shoots in the economy are out of touch with regular people on the street. I don't think the country as a whole won't see substantial growth for at least a year or two. But, my family's attitude about our own economic world at home has changed, and that's a start.

Jack, I have been unemployed for over a year now, so I don't see many bright spots. The one I do see is housing sales in my area picking up. I guess that's great news if I have to sell my house.

I know the economy is turning around, when my banker and insurance man start gouging me again, my neighbor stops hitting on the rest of us in the neighborhood to mow our lawns, and I have to give up three of my four jobs to keep myself off the streets!!

I have been seeing more people shopping, dining out and driving longer distances. The most shopping I have seen that include purchases are at Lowe's, Home Depot, Consignment Shops, Garage Sales,Grocery Stores and Garden Centers.

Jack
Turning around is a little aggressive, we are coming up to the corner lets hope we dont stall so we can make the turn. I can finally get away from buying the generic peanut butter and jelly,and go back to skippy and welch grape.

A very sweet and short answer: NO! And the prediction that the recession may end by the 3rd quarter of this year is being spiced up – recession is defined as 2 consecutive financial quarters being reported as negative, so end of recession would only mean there haven't been 2 consecutive negative financial quarters...and this is not necessarily indicative that the economy is really any better.

Are you kidding?! Daycare needs more money, food is up, gas prices are up... all while I took a 5% pay cut.

I am getting laid off at the end of the month with no other jobs available in my field right now. So no, I don't see it turning around. But hey, I need a vacation anyway.

My part of North Texas never really got as bad as the rest of the nation but the housing did slow some, people still shop like their is no tomorrow but my every day life is still as poor as ever, so no change in my world.

Gas prices are going up.

NO! California has a long way to go before our economy gets better. Higher taxes and lower wages are whats going on here, if you are lucky enough to still have your job. And when the recession is over, jobs will not come pouring back. More taxpayers are leaving this state.

We're in the manufacturing business and it will be a long, slow, process for us. Our factory has been a ghost town for 6 months now, and no increase in orders yet. Don't know how much longer the owners will hold on. The trickle down effect in our small town has been catastophic.

Yes Jack, Obama is only blaming Bush for his problems twice a week now. It used to be every day.

Do you see any signs in your day-to-day life that the economy is turning around?

Well my husband got a 20% pay cut and I am still unemployed – so in our case NO not yet.

Jenna
Roseville CA

My property tax's have gone up. So I guess that means that real estate values are on the rise, and the market must be turning around.

Absolutely not. Still no jobs for my fiance who has more than enough experience, Moms Mortgage is still being ignored by Bank Of America , even though the Attorney General ordered them to fix it.......and we are about to be taxed even further if this is recovery I cant imagine the sickness!!!

oh yeah Jack it's turning around for sure now. I had a pension but i'm gonna lose that. I had health insurance but i'm gonna lose that. I had a home but i am gonna lose that. My wife had a job but she's gonna lose that.
Yup things are looking up. from the roadside gutter.God Bless Rush Limbaugh and the Republican Elite . You have shown me the way.I'm gonna be a crook.

Where are the millions of jobs we were promised by Hillary and by Obama? It is very sad to know that those were only words to get the vote. Well probably Global warming is more important that helping the Americans to get a job. American people is not better off now that we were 3 or 4 years ago. At least we had a job a little money in the bank.

Maybe some see the Stock Market beginning to go up is an indicator to them that things are getting better, but with the price of gasoline spiking, and grocery stores raising their prices, and my rent going up,, I would say in my case the economy is still in the tank, and I mean the septic tank...

yeah man inflation, that gas went up what 25% in a month?

Let's see, the banks are lowering my credit limits and raising my interest rates. Everyday there are more layoffs and foreclosures. Gas prices are going up again, so it's harder to afford to go anywhere. GM and Chrysler are going bankrupt, closing dealerships and laying more people off. Nope, doesn't look like it's turning around here.

For what I am paying for food, gasoline and insurance, all on my loan-sharking credit cards, is sure as hell better be.

As a small business owner, I am not seeing many signs that the economy is turning around. Business is just plain slow.

No. I am from Ohio and a major Chrysler plan will close soon. Plus all the dealers that will loose their franchises will mean more job lose all over the country. If the government would have let these companies fail we would see which had the brains to survive.

I've noticed that gas prices are climbing slowly higher and higher each day but other than that I've somehow managed to avoid the whole recession thing in my daily life (I don't know how in particular, I just have because I've always been safe with my money to start with).

Jack, I think the economy is in the "tank" so to speak.
The greedy just don't quit... still doing their thing and it seems
the Pres. and his admin aren't changin anything... yet. UNTIL the elected politico's get it thru their heads that they have been elected to do a job for U.S. (A) it's not getting any better

The economy isn't turning around as much as it is spinning in its grave. Gas prices are up, food prices are up, wages are down and my employer does not provide health insurance. The only people promoting the economy are those that hope you will be stupid enough to buy their stocks.

Yep - the price of gasoline is going up.

It used to be that neanderthal investment pundits predicted the direction of the market by the change in the length of women's skirts.

Now, it's based on the pool of drool on the desks of the oil futures speculators

Um, Nope!

The stock market seems headed up, but that's only to be expected as investors are sensing now that corporations, deemed "too big to fail," have a key to the pressroom where dollars are printed. And if you can, in effect, print your own money the price of your stock isn't going through the floor anyway. Sterling Greenwood/Aspen Free Press

Gas prices are on the rise, and that always makes me want to turn around – and grab a bicycle.

Hell no Jack. 1024 resumes and nothing or you have to speak Spanish in Florida.

Dear Jack,

Having observed my little economic world and its happenings over these past few "recessive" months, it has become clear to me and I am puzzled as to why not others, that not only have their been no signs of it tturning around but that it has not changed except for going up in cost for goods and services needed. Instead of prices coming down they have risen. Gas is up. Groceries are up. Fuel is up. Medical and dental are up. Automobile prices are up...used and new. Just about everything is costing the same or more than before. However, I have noticed some things that have become less. Wages are down. Jobs are down. As well as portions and sizes in restaurants and grocery stores. Canned food and boxed foods such as cereals and convenience foods. Lots of same prices or higher but less for your money. Also, some foodstuffs are priced less but portions are also less than before. There seems to be a lot of smoke and mirror tricks going on in this economy of ours at the expense of its citizens. However, I guess that is the way Capitalizm is supposed to work...I guess.

Thom Richer
Negaunee, MI

those who say that the economy is turning around are rich or they are not telling the truth.

There are more and more for sale sign in front of home and each week there are store closing small and big. There are businesses closing that been around for 20 or 30 years.

Not really. And I don't spend much time in the delusional world of the upper class, so I'm not expecting any changes for anyone who isn't in politics, a CEO, holding a government contract or dealing drugs ( big pharma). If there ever is a "turn around" of any consequence, it will benefit only those at the very top of the fiduciary pyramid because their profit is derived from being able to exploit the masses. It just wouldn't be good politics, or business, if we were all rising above our circumstances. Politicians get elected only if there is something to fix, so they have to keep the country in a constant state of upheaval.

Signs?
Economy is turning us all around. Gas prices are steadily marching up again, supermarket prices continue to climb, interest on student loans at unforseen highs , the cost of just living going through the roof, and unfortunately politics as usual.

Yea, there are signs the economy has turned around... turned my life around just trying to survive.

Jack: All I've seen so far is Trumbull County's jobless rate stands at 14.2% and this still doesn't take in that GM Lordstown will close for 5 weeks or more. The only thing I see here, is gas prices are up to $2.49 per gal., and income is still going down. It makes everyone ask WHO'S IN CHARGE? Where is the $7 trillion that was taken from the economy????

No I don't.

The housing crisis has not been as severe in my area as it seems to be in other parts of the country, so yes, the housing situation is improving now. Unemployment seems to be improving in certain sectors as well although we still have a long way to go. This recession is real, but it's also mental in that consumer confidence must be rebuilt and money has to be lent by the banks to get us going again. Fear is our worst enemy. The media doesn't help in this area by constantly trying to place emphasis on the negative rather than the positive. If FDR had had to put up with today's media, he would have never succeeded in reviving our economy or winning the wars.

No. Not from where I am sitting. The unemployment rate is still high. No new jobs are being created. Gasoline prices are rising daily and my taxes are going up under this president because he thinks I should pay for other peoples lack of healthcare. Funny thing about that is that I didn't take these people to raise and I can not deduct them as dependents although that is what Obama is forcing on those with assets. My taxes will be going up and my quality of life and healthcare will be going down. Quite frankly I and my family are considering a move outside of the country all together. My money will go farther with a lot less taxation else where.

I work retail sales at this point as a underemployed engineer. I'm seeing retail clothing sales pick up, although people are definitely waiting for the sales and bargains. I see few impulse shoppers. Certain segments of the potential markets for my engineering skills are starting to pick up, but it's still very competitive with many applicants for a few jobs.

Let me see,I'm still renting a movie instead of going to one,I'm still eating spam instead of ham,still walking instead of driving whenever I can,I'm still eating in instead of out,now, I did recently afford to have my cable turned back on,which means I can watch you again,so Jack,I guess your the sign in my day to life,I guess things are looking up!

Yes Jack,
I am starting to see the light in darkness! People I know are talking about upcoming vacations, remodeling their homes, and seeking investments in the stock market. This is a BIG step in the right direction!

Jack,

Well, my 401K has been up for two months in a row, and prices seem a bit lower. I'm not detecting much of a mood shift in neighbors and friends, though.

Jim
Reno, Nevada

Just beginning to see some improvement. While my hours are still cut at work, my husband's workplace has gotten several more contracts & it looks like more coming.

Not yet, my bank account is still empty. I was hoping for one of those bail out checks from the government but I guess I have a better chance of my hair growing back then seeing one of those. You understand what I mean, right Jack?

I heard a robin singing this morning, if that means anything.

Jack
The city and the county are trying to raise our residential property tax rates. You think they know something we don't?

pablo
Arlington Texas

I still have a job, Jack. At this point, that’s progress.

NO, absolutely nothing yet. Still unemployed. Gas, food & utilities increasing. Going ever deeper in debt & just holding my head above water. Not where I thought I would be close to retirement. Being a history buff, I informed friends & family over 2 years ago, that a severe recession or even a depression would hit in 2008 or 2009; and so it did. I do not believe that we will begin to come out of this until 2010 or 2011; so I'm not holding my breath.

maybe. it will take time to turn around because we don't know what may happen in the future.i want things to change but the economy will recover on its own time not by magic.

Jack I'm one of the few in the Class of 2009 that has a job straight out of college–a career!–and a good one at that. Maybe that's the economy turning around, or maybe I'm just plain lucky.

At this time I am inclined to say no. I am a teacher and they are laying people off in our state (all state employees are being affected not just teachers). They have cut our pay, at the end of the year they are taking back money for the whole year in 1 lump sum, and they are saying they will probably do the same next year. I work an extra job and I am still struggling. So I guess the answer is NO!!!

My 401K has increased by over 30% in the past two months, but nobody is talking about that.

NO, absolutely no signs yet. I'm still unemployed. Gas, food & utilities continue to increase. All generations & levels of society feeling the pinch. I'm going ever deeper in debt & just holding my head above water. Not where I thought I would be this close to retirement. Being a history buff, I informed friends & family over 2 years ago, that a severe recession or even a depression would hit in 2008 or 2009; and so it did. I do not believe that we will begin to come out of this until 2010 or 2011; so I'm not holding my breath.

I see more new cars on the road.

Yes. My husband is working after 5 months being laid off, and we are actually planning a four day vacation to Atlanta for September. A definate improvement over last summer when we didn't know how we were going to be able to keep the one car we own because we couldn't make the payments.

Yes, Jack. Now I can afford to put some Grey Poupon on my beans and weenies.

Yes, gasoline prices are going up....just coinciding with the summer driving season, of course. So, yes, the economy is definitely picking up for the oil companies.

Jack: If the economy is turning around--I surely don't see it in my day to day life---still working and still paying taxes.

Yes. I'm not as worried about the economy as I was last fall. In fact, for the first time in two years, we're going on a vacation this summer. We just made reservations for a week in Ruidoso, N. M.

Anne
Texas

There are definite signs; housing is more affordable, credit card companies can't play their old games, as President Obama and his team continue to work for "ALL" Americans.

Balderdash. The same people that couldn't predict the current recession are the same ones that believe it's almost over. Sure, and I have a hedge fund for you to buy into... The FED is about to send your barge full of dollars over Niagara Falls, while Barney Frank and the rest of them bail out anything that moves or stinks to high heaven. You need to listen to Ron Paul, as he is about the only one telling the truth...

All my stocks are in the green again and climbing. The price of gas is climbing and the number of immigrants taking our jobs is rising even faster. So I would say it's turning around faster than most people think.

The price of gasoline has jumped 25-30% over the last couple of months.
Looks like some people have forgotten already that the high price of
gasoline & diesel fuel contributed greatly to putting us into a recession
in the first place. That was months before the financial collapse of
banks & automakers occurred. If this continues any recovery will
be squashed before it can have any positive effect.

Gas prices are going up. Food is going up. I don't see any end in sight. National healthcare might turn it around, but it's not getting better to me yet.

When both our adult kids are back to work, we'll think the economy is beginning to turn around.

Jack:

Well Jack , there are so many of us living from day to day that there's not much time by the end of the day to conclude the economy is turning around. Then you find out the next day that it is still "churning" and "burning" with no good signs of useful meltdown, for example GM and it's looming bankrupcy in todays news, and I own a Pontiac!

Curious to know who these experts are hired by? There are NO signs of recovery here and to suggest otherwise it extremely optimistic. All the stimulus spending has done nothing to help the economy and wasn't necessary. Recessions turn around on their own, despite all the scare tactics from the left. Maybe the end of the recession to the experts is layoffs are done. It will be a long time coming before all the jobs lost are replaced. Downsizing is going to be with us for years to come. Business can't thrive under Democratic control.

Here in Massachusetts, presumably like many other states, the impact of stimulus spending, without taking into consideration funding for so many mandated programs, has states and municipalities rushing to fill the funding gap with new taxes and fees, which totally defeats the roll back in the federal tax rate.
A war on terror that has us laying off police, fire fighters and teachers
seems as unfair to the general population, as borrowing money from current and future generations to bail out Wall Street and big business. When it comes time to Bail out Social Security ( or pay back the monies that we pilfered from the fund, with interest), will congress be as big hearted as they are in planning their own retirement and pay increases. Jackie Mason was right- put them all on commission.

I wish, Jack. My husband lost his job just before Labor Day last summer and hasn't found another. And, we don't have health insurance. So that would be a big NO. But thanks for asking.

Jack, those of us close to the bottom really haven't noticed any change in the economy. It's always been bad down here.

Nope. It would if I got hired though.

I think the number of annoying commercials have doubled on TV. Is that a sign?

Yes, I can truly say that things are looking up....I'm able to make my mortgage payments, my wife hasn't left me and I still have my job.
Jack, does that mean I've survived the recession?

Sure! There is tremendous infrastructure work going on all around my city. Obama is doing the best job he can under the circumstances he was left to deal with.

I don`t play the market, but i do buy gas, eat food, and smoke. Smoking is foolish , but i can`t live without the other two. I don`t know much about economics, but my cost of living has gone way up, and i have much less to spend on other things.If there are many like me, that can`t be good for the economy.

For a very short period, when gas prices were going down to reasonable levels, I thought the economy might just recover. But now those prices are again creeping up so the effect, I believe, will be that if they continue to rise, we will be right back in the gutter by the end of the year.
Brownwood, Texas

No way. Gas is going up. Just bread, milk ,and eggs are $10 or more.My retirement pay have not gone up. People can't afford insurance. SORRY BUT I'LL BE GLAD TO HELL. it can't be worst.

Sure it is Jack; around and around and around. Makes me dizzy.

Why would gay Americans go to Niagra Falls for their wedding when they could come to vacationland where life is the way it should be? It pays to do the right thing so California's loss is going to be Maine's gain.

None what so ever.Signs point to a long period of time before things turn around.This is not just a recession,it is a major change to how our economy works.What we take for granted,we may never see again.Get prepared for a brave new world.

I'm seeing a lot more people smoking cigarettes, which means they're probably not as worried as they have been about the rest of their days. Correlation or causation, I don't know.

Why do we keep spending at a record level as a fix to the economy?
Here in Las Vegas we have the President flying around in Air Force One and the whole entorage that goes with him traveling for a Fund Raiser for Dem Harry Reid and on from here for a Democrat Fund Raiser. I wonder what the cost of these trips would be if exposed; I think the costs would be more than the Fund Raisers bring in – so why not just give them money from the government instead spending this money for the President to fly here? It pales in comparison to auto exects and other corporate jets flying to DC or here to Vegas!

In a word, no.

no one sign, all i see is 0.00 where money should be in my bank account. single parent trying to make my way, its tough out here jack!
no jobs, and certainly no bailouts! wheres is my bail out or stimulus check?

Well, if we go by the news headlines, American Idol, Nancy Pelosi and Sonya Sotomayor have replaced the economy in terms of importance, so we should be out of the worst of it by now, right? Has the news ever steered us wrong?

If there are signs they are written in a foreign language because I can't read them. I think it's Chinese.
We'll just keep on selling out America to other countries until we will eventually reach the point of no terurn.
This country does not need a military force to invade and destroy us.
We can do it to ourselves without even firing a shot.

jack, as long as our industrial sector does not come back, concentrating just service sector is a waste....it remains the same...look a T shirt is not made in america, even colgate is made in china...we need industrial sector to recouperate the lost economy by Bush....period. if this does not come i don't thik so. for that we need first "health care to be fixed, and energy independence....these are all interlinked.....it is a complixity of problems in the nation....decades together, our nation slept...it takes time...Pres. Obama will do it....I bet on this....i request, if you call visa...it goes to india, or other nation...just cancel it....together....do this favor for me for the benefit of our great nation....

Jack–
I see very few changes of a concrete turn around. I do see the banks I deal with, sending knee-jerk "you're not very good customer" letters to those who are paying their mortgages every month–as well as other bills. I'm also seeing some changes in my credit card accounts that don't seem necessary to me. I see a tough rest of 2009 coming up–for us good customers. The banks are mad–they'll take it out on someone–might as well be the "good" customer.

I dont know Jack, Im just glad I still have a job that barely pays the bills. I just go to work and come home. No excess spending just for the sake of spending. I just want to look up one day and this recession be all over.

Atlana, Ga

Well, my girlfriend just took a buyout package from her employer after 22 years of service and is moving in with me, so I guess that's a win for both of us, but not a great sign that the economy is improving enough to keep her employed without the threat of layoff.

Jack
Who's the moron claiming the recession will end in the second half of 2009 and then enemployment will be 9.3% in 2010. Souinds like blizzard conditions and then it's gonna get cold to me.......

when my husband got that 250.00 up in pay.......1 x -we could actualy go and buy food to eat.

I work in commissioned sales for one of the largest corporations on the planet. The economy is still in rapid decline in Hawaii, but it seems that I am getting squeezed harder by management who keeps raising our commission goals to almost unattainable levels than I am by consumers spending less. If our society was not so top heavy, I don't beleive there would be a recession at all. All of this is being caused by the greedy trying to maintain this disgusting disproportionate wealth distribution. Every day I hope for a socialist enlightenment in this country.

So Your printing your own now Jack.

Yes, I do. We went on a weeks vacation. Going to and from Mn. the traffic was almost bumper to bumper. Maybe they were out for the holiday weekend, but the traffic was bad. I think things are looking up, better than when President Obama took office.

These economists need to start taking polls in my neighborhood. Groceries, utilities, commuting expenses are just a few of the constantly increasing expenses. With the constant threat of loosing a job before year end and finding it harder to pay these expenses on current salary, where are the signs that it is turning around?.

It certainly is turning around for me being retired on a fix income. Prices are starting to come down on many things that sky rocketed when we went into recession. Of course I have learned through this period that I can live on a lot less and save more and that I have.....

Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151

Jack,

1 – My property taxes keep going up but my home maket value keeps going down.
2 – My son's college tuition keeps going up while my wages are stagnant.
3 – My 401k keeps going down and is now a 201k.
4 – The number of workers at companies keep going down due to "outsourcing" but the CEO's and executives wages and bonuses keep going up.
5 – Summer jobs for kids keep going down so both of my son's are home all day and my grocery bill has doubled...
6 – Gas prices are up but my 120,000 mile car's MPG is down.

So no, things are not better and it will not be until jobs are brought back, wages goes up, home values go back up, stock market goes back up !!!

So why are American required to have college degree's if companies just outsource their jobs to China, Mexico, Ireland, India, who do not have college degree's. ???

I just drove by the gas station and gas is up to $2.65 a gallon. Any chance to save many American families from foreclosure and bankruptcy
will be lost because of rising gas prices. Most Americans I know are in deep financial trouble and with congress being unaware of how difficult life is for the majority of Americans, things will probably get worse before they get better.

John
Anderson, Indiana

Jack,
I went to the Nordstrom mall (White Plains, NY) the other day, and it was packed!!! It hasn't been that packed in almost a year!!! So I think consumer confidence is coming back.

Yes, Jack! Properties in Palm Coast, Florida are down 30% from last year but last month, houses sold at 8% more per square foot. The fact that any sold at all is a good start.

Now, day-to-day, we're living on a budget just like we did 41 years ago when we first got married. And since we're past our anger with George Bush and very supportive of our new President, we've decided it's kind of romantic.

We do have a more thrifty spending behavior which I hope becomes a new life style for us. But I still am waiting for more bombshells to drop from the stock market, banking, and government And more people are on unemployment in my extended family.

mike sherman tx. heck jack are you on drugs our econemy isnt going to get better its going to get worst three fold its almost like robin hood except robin hood is takin from the rich and taken from the poor and giving to the enviouromintelist and rights activist so get a clue and wake up .

Nope.

Yes, Jack: I'm busier at my second job as a kayak guide. Folks are tired of worrying about money and want to get away from their problems! – Cheryl in Bluffton, SC

Not at the present time,.I don't. Towns around here are still facing 15 and 16% unemployment . Until something is done about getting people back to work, the economy will stay the same, I'm afraid.

Any signs in your life that economy is turning around?
Nope, not until people start buying art again!

I do see signs of economical improvement. However, I also see storm clouds of inflation building in the distance. Gives us shelter from the storm after the drought.

In ways things are turning around but in other ways the economy in my opinion is still the same. Jobs, where are the jobs that Americans need? More and more places in this country are still shutting there doors and laying people off. However I do beleive that by the beginning of next year in 2010 we may well be on our way back to where we belong.

Scott Stodden (Freeport,IL)

With the US debt sky rocketing, China holding a significant portion of the debt in treasury bills, the GDP continuing a decline and two of the major manufacturers in the US, GM and Chrysler going bankrupt how can one predict a turn around by years end. Oil demand is down, stocks are high and yet again the price of oil is skyrocketing. We are letting Wall Street continue to get away with playing on the futures market and selling the country short so they can make a profit. This problem is not one that has a fix in the near term, there must be fundamental shift in the way we do business before any real progress is made. Thank goodness the new generation, the millennials, seem to have the right attitude and may bring America back to what it once was before the baby boomers took charge, but it is not happening soon.

NO, there is no 180 just yet, pals are still losing jobs and having a hard time finding new ones with reasonable pay scales; but my 401K losses have slowed down.

No ,only because I have a roof over my head and an income. I think it is a tragic situation to be without a job,in debt ,and no income,and no health insurance. I have every confidence in President Obama to correct this situation with a little cooperation,less obstructionism,and more patience. However, I do see shopping as usual, driving,vacations, and big weddings happening. Small businesses are still slow,but the stock market appears to be moving up. Gene

Yes, everyday that it gets worse the closer the bottom is.

As long as wealthy people keep building 8,000 to 10,000 square foot houses in our area, we'll have work wiring them.

Jack,

No, and there won't be until somebody gets a clue about what is really wrong with the economy. Let me give you that clue, Jack: jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs. I could go on.

The millions of jobs lost this year are never coming back as anything like what they were. Job loss continues to drag down the housing market and suppress consumer spending.

We are handing out billions to the the car makers so they can cut more jobs. Obama talks about jobs from wind and solar, but what is to prevent the wind turbines to be manufactured in China, installed by Mexican illegals, and managed out of India; that is, like everything else.

Let me reiterate: jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs.

Let me answer it this way...this week our firm received three request for proposals to bid on new projects. This brings the number of proposals we have submitted for 2009 to a total of three.

Turning around? Signs? What a poor choice of three words. I saw the movie Signs. There are no illegal aliens in my house. And money is either up or down in present time in my checkbook. The only things in my life that turn, besides a human performing a pirouette, include mechanical parts that are designed to turn a unit.

Well lets see Jack groceries went up when gas hit $4 a gallon .Gas came down groceries did not Obama gave us another $25 per week unemployement my wifes taxes went down $12 per week(woo hoo she can go to Mickey D's once a week) on her pay check. I used to make just over a thousand a week compaired to my $265 a week(that includes Obamas $25) Damn I always hated word problems would you do the math and let me know if I'm doing any better

The only positive thing that I have seen lately is the Market making some gains. Gasoline and food prices are on the rise. Our economy can still be greatly affected from the news out of Detroit. The unemployment rate for the state will rise more if GM decides to close the Saturn plant at Spring Hill, TN. We have a few more hurdles before we can turn completely around and view the recession through the rear view mirror.

lets see,.. tax credit on my paycheck [yippy] ,gas price hike, cig tax [i dont smoke], alcohol tax [my beer!] , junk food tax [does that mean Kettle Chips?] I wish the economy stops turning.... I am starting to get dizzy

Not really.

The economy isn't turning around, it is taking a detour around what is a trainwreck caused by the greedy, shortsighted actions of those who sought the American dream with a get-rich quick scheme – all at the expense of hardworking American taxpayers, some with nothing but elbow grease to show for their efforts. Until we weed out these predators, our economy will sputter and find itself right back into another downfall.

Six months ago I could not see a light at the end of the tunnel. Today I see the light. My prayers now are that it is not a freight train.

The economy is turning?? Where did you get this info Jack?? It was'nt from some OBAMANATION representative was it?? Oh Jack, you liberals crack me up with your believe everything you hear simplisity!! ITS NOT GETTING BETTER! Jerry in Soldotna, Alaska.

Aren't these the same people who mocked Prez Obama when he embarked on TARP for the stimulus and promised to turn the economy around? They said it would be a depression worse that 1929. How can anyone believe these clowns again?

no.

jack,unforunatly no,i am still out of work looking for a job as many are,so far i,ve found nothing

I think things are turning around. My stock portfolio is up 50%n from the low. If that other party ( the NO everything) was not so negative, things would be even better. My glass is half full and theirs half empty.

I just spent 4 days in Myrtle Beach, SC, home to over 100 golf courses to choose from. During my stay (been visiting this beach for 40 years), more golf courses are filing bankruptcy and others with very little play, restaurants closing, strip malls with very few tenants, merchant sales down exponentially, and building in the North Myrtle Beach/Little River/ Ocean Isle Beach have come to a complete halt, with may builders filing bankruptcy. The only area of the economy that appeared to be booming were bars and nightclubs...Americans are still drinking!

No. My dad recently got laid off.

Jack it's something that difficult to tell, but honestly all I've heard is that the banks are making money. I know that some of my neighbors can't afford food still, so I don't think that reports of Goldman Sach's shares going up 2 percent is a sign of life in the economy. The day Americans can afford to feed themselves is the day we have recovered.

The economy turning around? Yeah, right, Jack. The Murikan Empire is beginning to crumble. We are totally doomed!

My husband has been driving a truck for several years. The first couple of years he made around or above 50,000 a year, last year he took a hard hit and only made 29,000 and this year, if it goes on as it is now, he will make 25,000. Truck drivers experience the major hit of the economy, and you can tell by the drop in his yearly income, even though his days spent on the road are the same, most of the time is spent waiting to find a load. Hopefully things start picking up before our family of 3 loses everything we have!.

I certainly have felt a few bumps here and there. What do you think the conservatives are going to say when the economy bounces back fully from this recession? Do you think they'll give Obama any credit, or just wish that we were all still suffering through a penniless existence? My guess is the latter. Obama will never fail!

There are signs that the economy is turning around. The value of currency is rising, the Dow is doing great, and I haven't heard much about layoffs anymore

I think recovery is a misnomer, its more of a revamping. The recession gave people the excuse they needed to start shopping at lower end stores, and stop buying things they didn't need. Yes, I see some changes in day to day life. I'm seeing more of my neighbors in my regular favorite stores. Places like the Great Wal-mart of China, Target and Pennyes. I see more and more people using debit cards instead of credit cards. I see more people at Dunkin donuts instead of Starbucks. The funniest thing is seeing all my neighbors out there with me on the weekends, cutting their own laws and actually talking to each other instead of sitting in their central air homes watching the lawn service out the window

I hit rock bottom months ago, sure theirs signs of the economy turning around. No place but up for me to go.

My life has remained the same but for many other people it has become far worse. I think it is going to take quite some time before things start to get better.

For certain, the oil companies think that the economy is turning around. Gas prices are rocketing up several cents a week. It makes hopefulness unattainable.

As a self-employed entrepreneur, I've seen a lot of work trickling down from larger companies who have either cut their marketing budgets to only hire out contractors or in one case, entirely laid off their marketing department. The work still needs to get done and when it's a specific skill like I offer, the project can often get done quicker with less people for much cheaper. And I'm benefiting from that, as much as I wish the unemployment wasn't where it's at right now.

I'm a balloon twister and I'm getting fewer jobs and lots less in tips.

Let's see, are things getting better? We lost virtually all of our 401K money, company stock in a major bank we could not sell went from 50/sh to 1.00 /sh, lost two jobs and are several months away from bankruptcy. We will probably lose our home and everything else, and the job market for someone over 50 is anything but encouraging.

Yeah, things are really looking up.

Considering Americans are still haven't kicked their consumerist habits, whatever minor "thrifty behavior" may have been adopted, maybe we haven't been in a recession long enough.

Nope. My husband is still unemployed and can't get an interview to save his life. I'm going to be enduring a 1.5% paycut and an increase in health insurance beginning in July.

Not yet but then again we the people are hopefull that our Government will get smaller in time and stop spending our money in useless places. Lets keep hoping.
Sule
Rockport ,Texas.

I haven't seen signs of improvement. I sell high quality lubricants in the area I live. People in my area have turned bitter, they don't even seem willing to talk to me. Usually having the backing of an 87 year old company would help me. Not now.

I am seeing small signs, that the economy may be looking up. My husband was laid of in December from his oilfield job. He found a job to help keep a little money coming in, but we took a 70% pay cut! Last week he got a phone call and will be going back to the oilfield in a couple of weeks!

Jack,
Being that I am making less money and paying more taxes that I have in the last 10 years, my house has dropped 400k in value in the last 18 months and jobs are few and far between, particulary in California, I can only say the economic future is bleak. Can you tell me how declining home values, increased unemployment and declining incomes tell the 'so-called' economic experts that we are on the verge of an improving economy?
Cindy W
Newport Coast, CA

The people who look at stat's with fifteen 0's behind surely think things are improving, because the bailout billions have helped all their multi-millionaire buddies to keep their riches. For ordinary people – NOTHING!!

Honestly Jack, I see my ability to provide subminimal sustainability slipping away. Until major legislation restores the labor rights to the people through empowered unions and squeezes the money out of the greedy clinched fingers of the wealthy, then nothing will save the majority of us who are working to survive.

Hi Jack, not to much, but I must say since last week in Las Vegas things have been looking a tiny bit better. Traffic this last Thursday was horrible, which I was happy to see and the streets were busy with foot traffic. The WSOP starts next week with a new $1000 event as well which may help out.

Not for me Jack, I've been out of work since Nov. and have found nothing in my field IT. I even published a book (One Black Mind) and have not sold one copy. Next time you hear from me I'll be living out of my car.

my moron of a son in law got a job

No Jack not one sign that anything good is happening. My job is in Mexico and my husband who is a Master Electrician cannot find a thing in Michigan....And where is our fearless leader? Out raising funds for the likes of Harry Reid! Give me a break...It is sickening that Obama is asking $30,000 for a dinner ....Does Obama and or the Worthless Reid know how many children are going to bed hungry tonight?????

Jack, last weekend, on the Memorial Day holiday, we visited a home improvement box store. We could hardly get in the door for the people; lines at the checkout stand were backed up over 10 deep, and it was difficult to even find parking. My friend and I commented that the economy must be picking up, and later we read in the paper that stocks were higher on a higher consumer confidence score. It certainly seemed so to us if this one store is any indication.

Sussex County, DE

No Jack, I'm afraid I dont see any real signs of things turning around any time soon. Businesses are still closing, stores remain relatively empty, and houses and condos continue to go into foreclosure in an alarming rate. I'm a bartender and there are simply NO jobs ANYWHERE here in FTLauderdale.. Never in my life, have I been unable to find work in this field before. I just returned from Home Depot where I only saw 3 people walking around.. I have NEVER seen that. I remember when you waited in line for 45 minutes to buy a hammer.. Things are really bad here, and NO signs of any recovery so far.

Thom Bate/ Ft Lauderdale

Yes. We got the go ahead on a fairly large development project at work. It had been delayed since October. It's a big relief.

yes I can definetly see a rebound in the economy, #1 the stock market is coming back and the last 1 day sale at macy,s was crowded, the one before that was dead. Eileen from Cape Cod

No Jack, I am afraid that nothing in my life has gotten better and there are no signs that the economy is getting better for me or anyone I know.

I have been out of work for almost 7 months and no matter how hard I try, I cannot get hired. I am going to school to try and better myself and I already have an associates degree but even with that, I can't get hired anywhere.

The government and President Obama have the power to change the economy and make things the way they used to be, but they don't have the will.

Paul Rogers
Walker, MI

Lots of road construction going on in metro Boston. Other than that I'm still unemployed.

Jack, I have been out of work now for 18 months having lost my job on Novemeber 1st of 2007. Nothing has changed accept the extension of unemployment benefits I continue to receive which only cover my basic necessaties. I am about to turn 39 and have lost everything even though I was financially responsible up until my job loss. My home, car, and most personal belongings are gone and now I live with my parents. I count my blessings I am not homeless living on the streets of America like many unfortunate individuals and families.

I live in the Washingto DC suburbs, things are pretty good here. There is enough Federal money spent here to keep our economy going for a long time to come...Thats right! Were on the Obama Spending Express!

I feel the government is failing many homeowners. With
upside down mortgages and many people working extra
jobs to stay in their homes, the banks are unwilling to work
with them. Loan modifications are almost impossible to
qualify for. What kind of a quality life can these people have.
stresses, lack of family time, increased divorce rates.
The banks want bailout money but selffishly for themselves.
ThankYou!

I think for people who live paycheck to paycheck, as a lot of us do, there is no change, things have been bad for years, if one in the family loses a job, then they get real bad.

No, Oregon is getting worse, the only NEW jobs are paid by the Govt., NOT what we want in America!

Jack!
I wish I could say yes but I live in California, where citizens are taxed to the hilt and illegal immigrants still get a free ride.
Hope you had a nice Memorial Day Weekend!
Rory Murray
San Bernardino,CA

Hey Jack. Hope you had a good holiday.

My economy is picking up, but it always does during this time of the year.
The problem is that I got hit so hard that it is going to take a lot of time to get back to where I was.

But these economist missed everything before, so why should people believe them now?

I kinda think that it is more of everyone trying to put a good face on the economy trying to talk our way out of this mess that was dumped on us and President Obama and his administration.

But, I know better, Jack.

We're in this for the long haul.

In my 'hood, drug sales are up and muggings are down. I guess things are getting better.

I was one of the lucky ones who didn't really see an effect on my day-to-day life due to the recession. I have a customer service job and my employer let it's employees have as much overtime as we wanted to make sure our customer's needs were met. That being said,we have seen a steep drop in customer acquisition,not having a net gain in customers for four straight quarters. Although I do want to point out that since I work in the retention department I have started to see a slight dwindling of the amount of customer's cancelling their services over the past few weeks.

Well i live in Ohio and work in transportation and things are not turning around.We are still laying off people and nobody I know who has been laid off has been called back.Ohio is down to the hospital,the utlity companies,and the government.Its just enough to keep a town and state running.If there any recovery its not in the state of Ohio.....

What I'm seeing around me is people thinking more responsibly, yes I need this, no, I do not need that. I'm seeing grass roots growing stronger, now how long this will last is ur word or mine..................still.....it's quite fun seeing constructive knowledge grow.
What scares me is, this seems to happen every decade......do we really learn from past mistakes?

Other than Jobs in my area, there have been many areas that show me that the economy is turning around. Prices at the pumps, as well as groceries and such have made some positive changes. In my opinion, I believe that we will ALL have to streamline our lives and practice some patience..It has taken us "as a country" years to get to this point, so why would I even begin to think that it will change drastically in only four months.

Not from where I sit, and we're supposed to be having it good here in Dallas. I send out dozens of resumes a week and get very few responces. I have seen the job listings decrease sharpely. I've been unemployeed for over a year.

Not here in Florida. There are still a lot of folks out of work and the price
of homes is extremely low. We have a high Foreclosure rate and Tourism figures are still down. I really don't think we'll start to see an
Economic rebound this year. I think talk of a recovery is meant to take
peoples attention away from how bad it still is. The Stimulus, as of yet
has not accomplished what the President said it would.

no signs at all, if any signs, it is getting worse.

The market may be turning around, but Americans are still hiding all their cash in a shoebox. A lot of people are "splurge" buying these days, just paying for a small thing here and there to get pleasure of buying something. Big buys, i feel, wont return for sometime until everyone feels the market is back to full strength.

I am glad you asked that question because none of the experts seem to know what reality is. Every where we look, in our neighborhood, city and including us have not seen any improvement at all. Just the opposite, a lot of people are still being layed off and housea are on the block for auctions all over our neighborhood. I just wonder, where do these economists are getting their numbers? From the rich? I really would like to know.

Don't let them fool you!! Banks are driving Real Estate into the ground and ordering, (with their own appraisers), low appraisals. Real Estate cannot be sold tho we have WILLING BUYERS and WILLING SELLERS, the Banks are NOT LOANING THE MONEY...give them NO MORE!!! Until Real Estate actually turns around, I do not feel that the forecast is for a turn around anytime soon!
Chattanooga, TN

This economy is far from turning around. I'm looking at 2015 before anything starts to turn around. It's all about jobs and there doesn't seem to be any let up in that lay-offs we see weekly. All that government bailouts arejust digging a deeper hole for our economy to get out of. Because of these bail outs, I expect the DOW to fall below 4,000 in the next 18 months.
Forget it ever recovering if healthcare is mandated by our elected officials.

I am just finishing a college degree at a first tier school and can't even find a job at a pizza shop. What did all of my fellow students and myself go to school for? So we can work at a fast food place or landscaping it would seem. We need more and better jobs badly and no one seems to care. I did not spend tens of thousands of dollars on school to make $8.00 an hour. What happened to the value of education?

HA! Quite the opposite if you happen to be an educator. In fact, just today our state legislature announced up to 6,000 teacher job cuts, bigger class sizes, fewer staff, rationed supplies, and more sacrifices that will remain undetermined until August 1st. Parents of America – don't blame us when America's students fall further behind. Individualized instruction is a joke when you have 105 students.

The answer is "No." That is because the job market is among the last to recover. I am still laid off and finding a job right now is just like randomly buying a lottery ticket that is a $1000 or more winner. A few people will win $1000 or more but for every person who does win that, thousands if not millions of people will play and lose. A "jobless recovery" is not really a true recovery in my opinion!

Not yet- people are holding by a shoestring-
hoping that they keep their jobs -if they have them still
People are waiting -waiting for this whole economic
crash to be over - hoping that they can weather it-
no excess spending-just waiting and hoping.

No way. The Commercial sector (construction) only started falling in October, 2008. Residential started falling in March, 2006. The Economists were wrong before (remember talk of a 20,000 Dow?) And are wrong now. Real wages and net worth are still falling. I think there is a second commercial collapse still in front of us that peaked in Oct, 2008.

After working 65 hours a week at 2 jobs that weren't paying my bills for the last 10 months, I was called back by a company I had applied with 9 months ago and offered a job that will pay the bills, with some left over. As hugely relieved as I am, I can't even imagine what a joy that would be to someone who had no job at all. So yes, things are getting better for me.

Well I live in CA and I am unemployed and can't find a job, so I planted a garden. CA is a long way from the economy getting better Jack.
CA voters really were stupid not to pass the govenors attempts to relieve the $20 billion deficit here. Fools should not be allowed to vote!!

But I am hanging on and thank goodness for the extended unemployment benefits and the extra $100 a month in unemployment benefits from the president. Things will get better I just know it!!

Are canceled conventions, cut hours at work, a decrease in benefits and establishments closing early considered a "turn around"? I think not!

Jack, its never been about individuals who can respond to you via e-mail, or even watch cnn. It the mother and father that lost their jobs and now cant afford to feed their kids. You wont know when our economy is truely recovering until those completely down and out have something more than empathy from everyone above them.

Nope, I don't see any of those green shoots they keep talking about in my neck of the woods.

What a riot, you guys are so funny, the economy turning around. Well now lets see, all jobs were sent overseas, for the great global economy. We make nothing in America. Unemployment is at an all time high. No jobs to be had. Food prices sky high. Automobile industry in America destroyed. Our government has no money but they keep giving it away. The government is adding jobs, lots of Czars,lol! Obama wants national health care program, when America is dieing!!! Its about JOBS,JOBS,JOBS, YOU MORONS!!! Now Obama going to give us a 25% national sales tax,lol,lol, lol,lol, take that to the bank and see if you can cash it. Amen, our politicians, have destroyed America.

I still don't see the banks lending to people who are able to borrow with correct income and debt ratios. Who's minding the credit bureaus and sets their FICO scores? We can give money to the banks but they rely on the Credit scores, and who supervises them?

Jack, As a Realtor for 32+ years and now in Florida, I have been swamped in the past 7 weeks,busier than all of 2008. If thats an indication of a uplifting enonomy, or a surge to the postive I don't know what is. Keep us on the straight and narrow, Jack.....GOOD JOB !!

I am a 58 year old woman, alone, and living on Social Security Disability only. Now they tell us there will be no cost of living income in the next two years ahead. Costs go up and my income stays the same. Not to mention the mess the Social Security system is in. So Jack, my answer is a big NO.!!!! Food and Gas keep going up as well as gasoline. Everywhere you look, prices are still rising. I am really quite afraid of my future. Thanks, I like your "File"

Honestly..No. My husband is upper management at a manufacturing co. He is looking at a second paycut across the board. Business isn't showing signs of picking up. We have a daughter in college and a son entering college in the fall. Luckily(I guess) I work for a major retailer that is doing well. But I don't know where else we can cut back(my husband already walks to work-no car). Something has to break ..soon

How could there be a change for the better in my day to day life when a Govenor who promised us that he would never raise taxes does? Or my mother loses the only chance she has to any health thats decent and free in California? Or how about the fact that welfare will be cut and hundreds of grants to help those like myself get into college will have it slashed or completely cut.

Sure seems life is getting better in california day by day doesn't it?

Not that I really need it but what will make me more mad than someone pi-ing in my cherrios would be the government not giving me that little $250 stimilus check because I draw two very good retirements plus social security. I do plan on spending it as soon as I can cash it to buy me a new hybrid golf club. That will be my part in helping to get the economy back up and running again.

Hey Jack,

No signs, just letters from IRS. I lost my job but the IRS still wants my money. It's like my Granddaddy said to me, "son, I'm just trying to make a nickel and a dime and the IRS wants a buck and a quarter!"

el don Rodrigo

I do think the economy is improving. Went to Home Depot over the week end and the place was packed. Best Buy right next door same thing. Resturants full, cars backed up at Starbucks every morning. Three months ago this was not the story, so I think things are looking up.

A tentative yes. I've needed to sell my old home for months because my new home was finally built and we moved in, but I haven't even put the "for sale" sign up because NO ONE WAS BUYING. I couldn't determine a fair price to ask, or anticipate. Well, the same house accross the street finally sold after almost a year on the market. We know the price; anybody want a house, cheap?

No signs at all. Ive been unemployed since Dec of 2008. I lost a lot of shares from a failed/ never realized IPO-7 figure, my big break:( Ive been searching diligently for a job. Ive applied to over 90 jobs, but everyone wants industry specific experience. I went from making over 200k a year at a specialty finance firm, and now I collect $600 a week. Entry level jobs wont accept me because they know I'll quit for a higher paying job as soon as the economy recovers. I pray every day and know it will happen in time. On a bright note, I have been working out and getting in the best shape of my life. I now run 60 miles a week as well as day trade to stop my insanity. PLEASE tell the government to stop lying and lacing the truth with fudged/ seasonal job news. Its all to entertain the stock market's interest. We've got at least 5 years to go........

Groceries are still high. Houses are still not selling. Gas is going up. And there are no jobs. Ohio unemployment over 10% for first time in 25 years. I'm in accounting, allegedly easiest field to get hired in these days. I am unemployed 8-1/2 months now, no future in sight. All-in-all, I would say no immediate signs of improvement. Also no signs of decay.

I lost my job a year ago now, and in the process i lost my medical insurence; now i am sick and i have been calling the GA department of health for help but i got no help whatsoever. so can this group of economists tell me which telescope are they using to see this improvement. Meny of us are still in the whole and are crying from within...

I cannot tell right now, I'll get back to you when any of the local banks approve my student loans.

Hi Jack:

I have no stocks that pay any dividends left, my Certificates of Deposits have matured and I can't make any respectable return on any new deposits, my home value has declined and I thought I was going to be able to retire. I live in Hawaii and tourism is way down and our State and property taxes were just increased. President Obama is delusional. He has managed with his policies to destroy the income of retirees and extend the line at the unemployment office.

Lets see Gas is going up –Now I'm paying more. Local companies are running on a skeleton crews. We're Squeezing every possible cent and still there's not enough.
I don't know about you but everything and everyone is looking pretty worn. it's a NO BRAIINER to see that it will take a long time to get over this RECESSION.

No, the economy won't turn aroung until the american people feel confident enough to start spending again. The fear of losing your job and seeing our retirement accounts disappear keeps my money in my pocket (credit union).

Jack, how this? In October 2007, I and about eight other coworkers were laid off from our jobs with a US Army Corps of Engineering contractor. I came back a year ago to a different job and a $6.00/hour cut in pay.
This week I regained my old job, and we are hiring about eleven other people to refill unfilled slots. We are starting several projects there are several projects which will have to sub-contracted out. This itself is small, but multiply that several times for every USACE district
I'd say the economy has turned around for me and several other people, wouldn't you?

Well, we're not living in our cars yet. Does that count?

No, no, and no. Still no jobs available and I see no signs of jobs just popping in.

I have a niece with an international business degree and who worked for the state for 11 years and was layed off a year ago. She has run out of unemployement benefits, she and her husband have run out of etirement savings. She has fibromylesia and has no insurrance. They are in the brink of losing their home–first time buyers. They have a 9 year old daughter who needs dental care. Her husband is the only one working, but is barely putting food on the table and getting back and forth to work.

In addition, I have a daughter, with an MPA degree who worked for a technology company for 14 years. In February, 2009, her company outsourced her job to Mexico. Is this job coming back? I do not think so. Needless to say, she has joined the unemployment line.

And you want to know, if things are looking better, NO.

Guadalupe

Its a nonstop downward cycle jack, im a construction worker who's co. specializes in interstate construction and havent moved since december, i cant knock obama cause this mess was inhertited from the bush administration, here's an idea jack instead of bailing out these corps. put the money towards investigating george bush and his band of theives

As senior citizens who have lost about %50 of the value of our investments, it is worrisome to see that there is little change in the prices of food or other necessities of life, and that the gas prices are going back up. I worry, too, that the credit card reforms are going to end up biting us who have good credit. They will make us pay annual fees, raise our interest rates, and thereby cause those of us who are not wealthy, to be even poorer, yet. The rich will still get richer, too.

Helen, Naples, Idaho

That depends how you define a 'good economy'. Around here it seems to be people making money off me simply because they can, not because they've produced something worthwhile. If that's the case – yes sir, gas has gone up almost 40 cents in a month.

If it means what it should, that more people have jobs and can afford survival alongside a modicum of leisurely possessions... well that's a different story. I haven't seen any signs of that for some time now.

Amazing! The powers now predict the end of the recession they failed to foresee? As an appraiser, I can tell you first hand the housing market is years away from restoration. Why? Those who bought no doc liar loan sub prime are gone for good or at least in this generation until the next big thing finds an in. I am appraising in neighborhoods where there are no normal sales. It is all foreclosure or REO bank owned properties selling for pennies on the dollar. Investors scooping them up to rent or re-sell to out of town (or foreign)investors that think buying a 3 BR house for $5000 to $11000 must be a good thing! Government has magic answers for GM, Wall Street, etc. but they failed homeowners. People are being raped twice by the predatory mortgage market who refuse to modify mortgages or let bankruptcy judges do it. So what you have is a no recovery situation with builders unable to compete with foreclosure REOs selling below replacement. The bottom is no where near in view. Realtors just want to talk it up, hoping it will catch on.
NO, a thousand times NO, we aren't recovering. We just aren't being heard!

I am happy to report jack that my redistribution of wealth checks since the election have been timely and extended for the third time, The stimulus has saved my life so far,, not due to run out until August..
Thank you President Obama
DrJ ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Cinciinnati

I feel that it "could or might" turn around IF: The Oil Companies maintain a lower and more stable price per gallon of gas at the gas pumps.

I believe that the Oil Companies are greedy and could care less what gas increases would do to the economy. Everyone seems to be forgetting that the economy CRASHED when gas hit 4 dollars a gallon. It made these creative mortgage holders wake up and realize that they might not have enough money to drive to work to pay these ridiculous mortgages that they now owe. Gas prices – in this country – has more to do with our economy than anywhere else in the world. Everyone owes cars, nearly ALL of our needs are delivered over highways, etc.

If gas prices are not stable – the economy is not stable. Get gas to around $1.80 per gallon.. After being there for three months – all of this mess will get better and continue to improve as long as the gas price stays at $1.80.

I can hear the Oil Companies laughing now.......

Thanks for listening.... Tom Hundley

My parents and grandparents and great great grandparents tell me that I will have my hands full and a tough road ahead. I'm 21 years old and my life seems to be some castramity. Rejected for healthcare several times just because of a rehab visit when I was 17. Then add the medical bills to the fact I'm putting myself through college and now worried that there will not be a job when I get out. As of May 27, 2009 I'm still without a job. I believe that we all must manifest positive energy and pray many prayers for this Pompous Government. Take validity of the life God has gave us.

It is spinning like the water in my toilet bowel. Regardless of temporary dead cat bounce numbers the treaties like NAFTA and similar rulings by federal agencies ensure continued job hemorrhaging. There is no hope of avoiding massive devaluation and crashing of the dollar in response to the spectacularly gargantuan and irresponsible expansion of the money supply. We're doomed!

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Jack, how this? In October 2007, I and about eight other coworkers were laid off from our jobs with a US Army Corps of Engineering contractor. I came back a year ago to a different job and a $6.00/hour cut in pay.
This week I regained my old job, and we are hiring about eleven other people to refill unfilled slots. We are starting several projects and there are several projects which will have to sub-contracted out. This itself is small, but multiply that several times for every USACE district.
I’d say the economy has turned around for me and several other people, wouldn’t you?

No, unless you're looking through rose-colored glasses. No matter how much the powers that be fudge the numbers to temporarily make things seem better, nothing can improve much without bringing back jobs.

Mary England
Bean Station, Tn

Jack step out of the fog of liberal ideal and realize its not getting better! How can the economy ever get better when the stimulus package was more about social engineering and less about infrastructure and job creation. The government will own car companies that compete against private held companies at what price. Government owns banks that lend to who and compete against who? Add to that the states are raising taxes which takes money out of the economy to provide services for non producers. No economy can recover when so much money is being wasted on non productive spending! As Chevy Chase said in Caddyshack "This aint Russia, is it"?

No, would you like a copy of my current 401K statement?

John
Rocky River, Ohio

yeah jack, i just got employed by home depot. can't complain.

It's still gloom in my neck of the woods. Our company had just laid off a number of people and the rest, including yours truely, got a 5% paycut. The Obama home assistance plan has not worked well... that's because most of the mortgages that needed the help are not Fannie/Freddie back loans in the first place. That's because the investors who securitized these toxic loans are private entities (not Fannie/Freddie). In my neck of the woods, which is California, the daily talk is more on how many more houses will be on the foreclosure block. The bottoming of home prices are not going to make people want to buy new homes because they don't have the money or banks willing to lend unless you have more than 25% down. Well, an average dwelling in California will at least set you back $380K. Who's got the dough. And now, the gas prices are going up again. My neigborhood Mobile station had it at 3.01 this morning. On a daily basis, we are just trying to meet ends and have what is needed to eat. We don't put any money in anything that is not baiisc necessities – including home repairs. What the news reports is not what is reality in many parts of the country, particularly places where we are hard hit with housing and job loss – like Califorrnia and Florida.

GDP increase by third quarter may be realistic but does necessarily indicate any noticeable improvement for us middle class. Thrifty consumers means a decrease in discretionary spending and continued high unemployment rates.

Jack,
Here in Corona California, we are seeing turnaround on the economy. I am a Realtor and I have clients who have been looking for a home for three months but they cannot get because there are more buyers than the homes that are available. When you put an offer to a home, you are told we have 20-30 offers and some for cash. Where are people getting money if the economy is that bad?.

Also gas is headed toward the sky again. The people of America need to wake up, we as citizens, are being led to our slaughter, with a lot of worthless promises.

Jack,

Not housing, not business, jobs, or banking stability. No relief
from Fed, State, or Local Governments, which seem to have their
hand out more aggressively than ever. More businesses going under,
more products and diversity of ideas and solutions going by the way-
side on a daily basis. More price inflation at the grocery store and gas
pump, at a time when we can, like struggling municipalities and States alike, afford it the least.

The only place where I see improvement is the stock market. All those
billion of tax dollars stimulus has done wonders for the "too big to fail" crowd. And no doubt banks and insurance company bottom lines and
bonus packages have improved dramatically. Meanwhile my remainig
bank has sent me their "your interest rate is going up" into the stratosphere. This developmet, no doubt reflecting the Credit Card
protection act, which ironically will mean less credit available at
higher interest rates. Government induced inflation on a heavily recessed economy.

Just find me a shorter line at the unemployment office, please.

Can I start laughing now,I am on my 5th job less than 26 months.And out of that 26 months 8 months no job.I have relocated from NM,to FL to TX back to FL and this job just lay off about 10 people last week.I will be next if we don't get any work in.I have last my home,lost my apt live in my car for 5 months ,lived with friends.Have my own place again since Nov and now I might lose it again still have my Car.Thank God my kids are grown so it is just me. There is blocks of building empty around here,where once was business. WOW I do understand about the suicide rates,how much more can people take.

Yes it seem that here in the land of enchantment, we have started to recieve some of the monies for the schools. As of the 8th day of june i will be going back to work as a painter. The schools here are in need of up keep and now have the funds to do so. It is a relief to know that i can once agian help my family do the things we all as human beings be able to do.

Hey Jack writing from the Bluegrass State of KY. My parents and grandparents and great great grandparents tell me that I will have my hands full and a tough road ahead. I’m 21 years old and my life seems to be some castramity. Rejected for healthcare several times just because of a rehab visit when I was 17. Then add the medical bills to the fact I’m putting myself through college and now worried that there will not be a job when I get out. As of May 27, 2009 I’m still without a job. I believe that we all must manifest positive energy and pray many prayers for this Pompous Government. Take validity of the life God has gave us.

There does seem to be a light at the end of this tunnel. My husband is a small business owner in the mountains of NE Georgia. He is a Land Surveyor. Last year was his worst year EVER in business. He went from 16 full time employees to 2. He was lucky if he got 1 or 2 small jobs a month. For the past few months he has seen an increase in job orders. He's been averaging 2 to 3 small jobs a week. It isn't nearly what he was doing back in '05 to late '06 but it is a huge improvement over last year!

No, Jack, the economy is not doing an better now than it was a year ago. Oil prices are down but gas prices are up. The station in my town, Pearce, Arizona raised their prices .44 cents a gallon from 2.04 to 2.48 in a little over two weeks. It's greed Jack, pure and simple. There is no reason to raise the price just because it's summer. The oil people and station owners are stupid and they will pay the price, maybe not now, but sooner or later and they will be all alone, no one will stand with a bunch of greedy bums. Thank you Jack for letting me vent.

I am a Registered Nurse in NC who was recently fired from my job – economy turning around; turning its back is more like it. As the sole support of our family, I don't know which way to turn....in circles right now.

Jack
Long time fan here!
I run a home inspection business for buyers and the phone has been ringing recently like it hasn't in quite a long time. What is the driver for this, I really dont know, but I really need it. What the unemployment numbers dont ever show is the tremendous slow down to small business because if a single operator business goes under, there are no unemployment benefits available to sign up for.(even though we do pay some unemplyment taxes).
jules Pardo
Oceanside, NY

I still have more month than money. Things are about the same.
(Roland/St George, UT)

NO, I have seen no change in the economy. The people are getting taxed to death,and no help in sight. The leaders of this country have their priorties and concerns for the middle class on the back burner. In Upstate N.Y. , Parents and kids are starving for work and food!

Hey Jack writing from the Bluegrass State of KY. My parents and grandparents and great great grandparents tell me that I will have my hands full and a tough road ahead. I’m 21 years old and my life seems to be some castramity. Rejected for healthcare several times just because of a rehab visit when I was 17. Then add the medical bills to the fact I’m putting myself through college and now worried that there will not be a job when I get out. As of May 27, 2009 I’m still without a job. I believe that we all must manifest positive energy and pray many prayers for this Pompous Government. Take validity of the life God has gave us. We should worship principles not political people

No, I am NOT seeing the economy turning around. I want to know who is seeing that, where they live and most important, do they have a job!

Today in our local paper (YES, we still have one and a darn good one) they published 60 pages, 4 columns each, listing all the unpaid property taxes in our county (Flagler) The number per column ranges from maybe 15 to 30, PER COLUMN.

The interesting part of this is that at our tax rate (something like 4.34 per thousand) there are a lot of folks who only owe $1,000 or less, many who owe from one to four thousand. But there are a HUGE number that own anything from $4,000 to way over a hundred thousand! So, all those who think it's a pity to tax the rich more need to think about this. Our county has to BORROW funds to operate, and layoff employees when taxpayers do not pay!!!! So maybe the rich need to pay their fair share and that would help the economy.

I also talked to a relative yesterday, who lives in MI. She has not worked in over a year, there are no jobs. Her husband's job is facing MORE layoffs, because a lot of their business is dependent on the auto industry! They already lost one home, spent every last dime they had to buy another, (and I do not mean a McMansion!!!!)and if he loses his job they will be in the street!

Personally, my husband has not worked in a year. NO WORK! He is one who needs one of those shovel-ready jobs they kept talking about. WHERE ARE THEY? We have nearly spent our life savings to maintain, and have about enough left to last two months. Then, we will be int he street.

Where is it getting better? Tell me, and while we still have a few bucks we will move there!

At church we continue to pray for members who have lost their jobs in massive and individual lay-offs. We see no let up in job loss. We feed more people each week in our food pantry. We try to assist with utility bills as well. We refer people to the government and Ohio web sites.

Health care is the biggest problem for all of us. Our hospitals have been closing under the burden of the uninsured and underinsured. Medical professionals -doctors, nurses, therapists, technitions, and the like are leaving medicine because they cannot get paid for services provided when insurers deny payments. People die here for lack of care, and our Emergency Rooms, our Trama Centers are overloaded.

Our church's health care task force is working for an American SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE SYSTEM because Ohio families and employers can not handle the present cost of over $16,000 per year for family coverage. We send letters to all the Congressional Committees and the President advocating for Single-Payer Health Care for ALL! We watch doctors and nurses arrested in the Senate Finance Committee because they are willing to ask for a voice at the table for single-payer. We know the suffering out here.

There is talk of having the same health care choices as Congress. What are those choices? And what happens when you are not reelected? Maybe the Senator Baucus types can explain that to those of us who have lost our jobs.

We see Health Care as the Civil Rights Issue of Our Time!

It is all hog wash. Jobless recovery is just meaning less. Just stop jobs getting exported. We need jobs here.

Yes Jack... there is this spot by my house where there is a whole new shopping center opening up... and I KNOW Bush wouldn't have backed that up...?

Hell no, Jack, it's not turning around. It gets worse by slow steps,
like dying of a thousand small cuts.

And all the current crop of D.C. idiots can talk about is how much
more money THEY need. So – how about a Value Added Tax?
After all, Europeans have them, and look at THEIR economies!

Give me – give all of us working folks – a break. We're not as
stupid as the politicians think.

Potter
Morgan County, Indiana

No, the economy has not turned around. Many of my colleague Professors who were laid off last year have not found work due to budget cuts in Academia around the world. I would like to know what crystal ball the so called expects are peering into.

I don't see any turn in the economy with cd interest rates at 2%, 401K's losing more than invested every month, and no reliable stocks to invest in. The house I was going to sell to buy a retirement home is now worth less than the retirement home. My truck is worthless and only 6 years old. Food is totally unaffordable and the cost of drugs to stay alive is a loosing proposition. The american public is getting buried under worthless paper. My $48.00 Bank of America stock is worth $10.00. Boy did I pick a bad time to retire.

No Jack I currently see no turn around in the job market. I work for a job center in western ,PA. we are expereincing increased layoffs in a tri county area in powder metal, machining, mining, welding, manufacturing, and hospital staffing just to mention a few. the economist sit behind a desk in big cities looking out their windows with no clue of what is going on in rural america. 100's of Rural american towns with populations of 4,5,6, and 7 thousand strong are struggling, toughing it out and we are never seen or talked about. Close a few plants in towns these sizes and there are huge consequences. Economists don't have a clue!!!

I am a contractor in a small town on the coast of Oregon. I normally do one man jobs. This time of year I am booked up for at least three to four weeks. The jobs stopped coming in around the first part of December of 08.

This year the work has been scarce if not non-existent. There is more than one contractor around here that laid employees off or closed their doors. I really don't know how much longer I can hang on.

The mill has cut back on lumber production. The local loggers are either barely working, or haven't worked in awhile. I haven't seen many trucks hauling wood chips.

The truck drivers around here are operating on very reduced hours. In my own neighborhood, men are leaving their wives to go look for work. In some cases the men have just disappeared. The women and children can apply for welfare easier when the husband has abandoned them. I suspect that this is why it is done.

If this economy is turning around, there is no evidence of it here.

Jack Ive been in this town 56 years and my mother and father,rest their souls were here for 75 and 84 respecfully, In their younger days there were Grocery stores on every block with their produce spilling onto the sidewalks and shoe stores and shoe repair shops not to mention dress factories,barber and beauty shops and just about any shop you needed and Charlies lunch on every corner, with all that it was easy to make lots of friends and aquaintenances and a hundred places to get a job.
Now ,All that is gone , by way of bigger and better conglomerates, I'm lucky to see 4 people a day pass by the house and if by chance your near them they might mumble a hello. Are things getting better? I guess maybe for carpetbaggers and snake oil salesman.

No. In fact, I only see signs that it is getting worse. As a teacher, I thought that my colleagues and I would be somewhat safer given the nature of our work and the promises made by the Obama administration to make public education a priority. Obviously, this is not the case. My paycheck will feel the effects starting this week as a percentage has already been taken, the school year is being shortened, and 6,000 teacher jobs are being cut in North Carolina alone. This will only lead to even larger class sizes, less assistance in the classroom and ultimately less help for our children. So much for the future generation being a priority. This is not the kind of CHANGE I was hoping for!

Jack:
Is consumer confidence improving, or are consumers beginning to return to irresponsible spending habits? The National money printing press is still running full blast, the National debt is still climbing out of control, millions are unemployed, and that is sure to continue to increase in the months ahead. Oh, and did I mention April set a record for foreclosures, with a lot more to come as those that were the early job casualties succumb to losing their homes, and many of the mortgage rewrites begin to default. And of course there is Chrysler and GM. I am not being negative, but rather a realist.
Gary,
Lexington,KY

I have never understood this fanatical devotion (religious subjugation) to the almighty economy as though it were human.

It is time that the economy started working for people instead of people being enslaved by the corporate greed merchants.

Jack, I didn't see a blib in my economic circumstances. I'm still overweight, buy

Well, Jack, Obama's choice for the U.S. Supreme Court, Ms. Sotamayor is the hot button topic that really gets under my skin. My grandparents came to American via Ellis Island, between 1898 and 1918. They did it the legal way. My grandfather came first, went to work in the coal mines on the east coast, and after a hard days work, went to school to learn ENGLISH and what it means to become an AMERICAN CITIZEN. He was not a whiner. He never used his "ethnicity" to garner any free services that he was not entitled to until he became a viable American citizen. Our family still runs the restaurant that he opened in the early 1930's. He never referred to himself as a "Greek American," when introducing himself to others, and neither did my grandmother. They represented themselves as AMERICANS! They, by this I refer to their Greek heritage, spoke Greek at home, but outside that door, it was Ameriki, Ameriki, Ameriki. I have felt for years that those persons who refer to themselves as "hispanic's," who have not entered this country legally, who do not appreciate what this country has done for them, by hook and by crook are a bunch of whiners, and are themselves racists. Why are voters pamphlets in English and Spanish? Why not Russian, German, Chinese, Japanese, French, Gaelic, Swedish, etc. When you dial up your local cable company, or phone company, etc., why only two choices: Spanish or English? For Sotomayor to use her sexual gender and race to further her biased opinions is an abomination. Justice is supposed to be blind: we don't reference our gender or country of origin to argue a case. I spent 25 years of my life as a legal assistant, working in three different judicial districts, so I believe that my words, and my life experience as a 2nd generation Greek American have some weight. If my grandfather was alive, he would be appalled. When is this group of people going to accept that when they choose to come to this country, the leave their ethic heritage at home, and are Americans when they step out their door. I have many Mexican American friends who feel as I do. I am also married to a Mexican American. This is not a racist blog. This is about taking pride in a country that has done so much for so many of the "huddled masses." Hispanic AMERICANS need to embrace this country and its' people and leave their cultural biases where they belong: at family picnics and other private gatherings.

Yes most definitely. The gas price is soaring again just because people start driving aroound: some are still working, some can afford fun drive, some can afford to take the car out of their garage just so to prove that they are breathing....hey everyone is moving and that's a good sign for anything you can think of positively.

Susan
Plano, TX

Yes gas prices are going up. Big oil knows something?

When your on your arse, flat broke, the only way to look is up.
So I guess the economy is looking up!!!
Chris, Long Island

Hey Jack... you know WHY they can't agree???.... Because they all want to finish first, rather than try to keep it equal!

Jack, I didn't see a blip in my economic circumstances. I'm still overweight, buy things I don't need, can afford gas and keep my demanding wife at bay. Isn't retirement great! Only in America.

Nope. Ask me again next week.

No improvement yet.

Still waiting for my stimulus check.

No job.

Thanks Obama.

No there is no light at the end of the tunnel, most likely it will get much, much worth, they are just trying to keep us quiet and peaceful for a bit longer

Until they bring back the millions of jobs that have been outsourced in the last couple of decades, we'll never get our economy back in any sort of decent shape. Two industries, solar and wind jobs and temp jobs, like building bridges are not going to be enough to sustain an economy of 300 million people...I'm from Michigan and have been seeing this coming since the 80's.

No, even though both my husband and I have stable jobs it seems like the price of food is getting higher, we have higher interest rates on cards, and overall it just seems like the media and government is lying to us about the economy. Too many people are unemployed and can't find jobs, strip malls are vacant, restaurants are going out of business left and right, crime seems to be up, etc etc.

Jack, the recession never bothered me. I work in healthcare. I have a job for life. I do not have a mortgage, I shop pretty much the same as always. The onlt thing I do not like is the prising price of groceries, my satellite dish, and utilities.

I work for a Lexus dealership here in Virginia. We have been setting record months in service month after month. Other dealerships in our area are doing pretty well also. I feel pretty fortunate knowing there are a lot of people out there without jobs or really slow with work, but its not all bad news out there. We are doing better than ever.

Jack ,

I hate to sound negitive but the truth is , I see no sign
of this economy turning around . Until 26 million people
are back to work , the economy will stay the same .
I know family who's laid off , and other's hours cut back .
As far as housing , a few construction companies are
building homes , but that doesnt apply to the rest of USA.

contrived gas contrived blackwater