How many people do you know personally who have lost their job recently because of the economy?

None. Both sons have been out of work off and on for 3 years now, so that isn't anything new related to the economy. I can though see the difference on the highway. I used to sit in stop and go traffic the last 10 miles to work but now I can drive all the way without going below the speed limit.

My company is doing well, making profits over their projections. I am steadily busier now than I have been in the last 4 years.

No one personally recently. I've just read about it.

Nobody that i know plus i have retired from the workforce

Zero, in my real life.

I don't know anyone personally that lost their job because of the economy. I know of a few that lost their business because of the fear that people have about the economy. It didn't have to happen.

I love this survey. I have suspicions that the media created this fear frenzy and people are afraid to breath. Anyone that says the words ..."because of the economy..." in their sentence will hear about it from me. Two months ago it didn't have to be this bad. Fudge fear and all it's minions!

Well, my contract is not being renewed because of the economy, so I guess that counts. But it was never guaranteed anyway. And my brother lost his job, although I'm not sure that was really because of the economy. It might have played a part, but I don't know.

I'm unemployed because of it, though I am not on the official rolls since I don't collect benefits.
I know at least 4 or 5 people for sure, but probably a lot more that I just haven't talked to recently enough to find out.

None, as far as I know. Most of my friends are either at university or are working in fairly safe public sector jobs. I have a few friends working in finance who are probably pretty worried at the moment, but I lost touch with pretty much everyone I knew who went into manufacturing, retail, etc. which seem to have been the areas hit the hardest so far.

One. I know many that have dealt with layoffs and such, though.

more than 10.

Many people have taken voluntary lay-offs the last few years at my job.

Three. My friend worked at Woolworths (second year of uni, his first job, was there all of two and a half months) when that was the first 'big' company to go under... down... whatever. Another friend's dad has been demoted... well, sort of. Just a little less pay, for far less responsibility, but it's not 'his' job, if you know what I mean. He doesn't seem to care for it. My lady's stepdad was made redundant, also.

Two that I personally know are laid off right now....(my husband one of them)... 40+ at my husbands company are currently laid off....2 other friends that were recently laid off but are now back to work...

> I love this survey. I have suspicions that the
> media created this fear frenzy and people are
> afraid to breath. Anyone that says the words ..."because
> of the economy..." in their sentence will hear
> about it from me. Two months ago it didn't have
> to be this bad. Fudge fear and all it's minions!


I believe the media creates plenty of unnecessary fear, but unfortunately I don't think this is one of those times. This country really is F'ed!!

It didn't have to be is my point. The people that didn't have money to begin with are suviving. The people that were making poor money decisions are not surviving, and the ones with money are holding on to it tight and making examples of how to pinch pennies Those pinched pennies are what kept the rest of us going. I work on people for cash. No one wants to let go of their cash even though they are making the same amount of money, paying the same amount on bills. That cash flow is now completely cut off from me. I made decent decisions with my money( not the best but), if I hadn'[t had forethought I would be near homeless.
The people with money have all but cut off those that do not have money. Last weekend the media was all over "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WHEN THERE IS NO MONEY AND FOOD!!!" Fudgein lock and load kids. Crazy talk. That is irresponsible.
Stupid people are so annoying.
The cash needs to flow. I had to shut my wallet and lock it because I need every penny I have to make sure I am not out on the street. I have property, and it is decent land, but I need to sell it now. The real estate lady called me yesterday. I said I just want to know how much it is worth now to see if it is worth my time. she started out the conversation about how other people are finding the property they purchased are blahblahblah and than she said "with the economy the way it is..."blahblahfudgingblah, I yelled at her "I don't buy into the economy being bad, I know for a fact that the surrounding communities are building right now."

If everyone, you, me and all our neighbors had our head out of our butts and didn't buy into the fear, do you think the economy would be so bad?

I can see how some areas would be hit harder. Wisconsin has been hurting for a few years now, longer than most in the area. Michigan has been whining about being in a recession for many months before it really hit. That is how I saw the fools bring it on themselves. At the first mention they should have changed things slowly not wait until the sky fell and scream WE WERE RIGHT!
Wisconsin is such a dreamy lovely state. I think the rest of the US should take care of Wisconsin like a little brother or something.

So as far as my previous reply to you, I get it would be different everywhere, but I'm seeing big picture stuff, as a whole.