Back in the US of A: You Don't Know How Unlucky You Are

[JCMach1]

Being out of the U.S. for a year has given me a little perspective upon returning.

I just want to make a couple of observations about Bush's America

1. The economy is in terrible shape (even worse than when I left). Everywhere I have gone shopping has had ROCK BOTTOM clearance sales. These were the only items that seemed to be selling.

2. Where are the jobs? My unscientific scan of local newspapers has come up empty (bad recession levels of jobs). I also saw a report show Florida with avg. salaries in the state of Florida shrinking by 7%.

3. Airport security? It's back to where it was Pre 9/11.


Economic number are totally unbelievable... I don't know what planet our economists are living on.

I will probably post some more observations as my vacation continues... I will see how the economy is holding-up in Oklahoma in a few weeks.

And yes, I made it into the U.S. just fine.

[LittleApple81]

1. You were in the United Arab Emirates? How did you like it there?

are you a male? (I am asking because I had the opportunity--quite a while ago--to go to Saudi Arabia and as a female I could not hack the idea of living there... I imagine that the UAE is not as bad.)

[JCMach1]

3. The UAE is a world away from Saudi Arabia

In the Emirates, the post-Colonial monarch actually took care of the people and invested oil revenues in the economy. The Emirates now have one of the fastest growing and most vibrant economies in the world (not just the Middle East). In fact, they did such a good job that the majority of their economy is no longer reliant on petroleum. The Emirates are multi-cultural, peaceful, and tolerant (with no terrorism and virtually NO CRIME).

[LittleApple81]

5. I wanna go there! n/t

[JCMach1]

7. Did I mention 3 months of vacation

Free health care

and high salaries (with no taxes or Income taxes)

[tandot]

2. I live in N Texas and work in SW Oklahoma.

I have a Master's degree but earn less than $19,000/year. I graduated two years ago and can't find an appropriate position where I live. So, I am driving 100 miles daily. Better this job than none at all.

I even applied for administrative positions and other office jobs in Texas but didn't even get a response. Should I fill out an application for McDonald or Burger King?

Improving economy, my a**

[JCMach1]

4. I agree, and Florida is 'supposedly' better off than much of the rest

of the country.

Things have definitely deteriorated since I left.

[tom_paine]

8. Well JC enjoy your ex-pat status...you'll probably be laughing long after

Free Americans like me are either Gulagged or killed.

Feel free to laugh at us dummies who stayed, even KNOWING what was clearly coming to anyone who had studied Imperial Orwellian Totalitarianism.

At least you have fled, can flee.

Smart move.

[TXlib]

6. What is your Master's degree in?

[tandot]

11. Psychology

on edit:

I work in research and perform statistical analyses. I didn't want to go into counseling or social work.

[TXlib]

12. If you're good with stats and excel,

you should be able to find some good jobs that pay well, if you don't mind straying from psychology. You may have to move, though.

[tandot]

13. I am ready to get out of here anyway.

I am living in the Bible belt for way too long.

I'll even consider straying. Thanks, TXlib :hi:

[RoyGBiv]

9. Oklahoma? Economy?

Ha!

I think we're about two shakes from going back to the barter system. But, by god we've got a dome on the capitol now and a Bass Pro Shops in downtown OKC. Life must be good. I guess.

Fun thing about my current job search is that the employers that are considering me are doing credit checks. My credit was fine a year ago. Since losing my job, it's gone totally in the toilet. Of course, this means I'm not getting these jobs, including one I have been offered "pending a background check, including a review of my credit." So, I've written that off despite how optimistic the HR person sounded. And my credit will continue to deteriorate.

Guess I could go into manufacturing. Would you like fries with that?

[JCMach1]

10. It's my understanding that things are terrible in Tulsa as well

With job losses from all the companies going under...