Metro Atlanta unemployment jumps to 10.3 percent
Metro Atlanta’s unemployment rate shot up to 10.3 percent in June, from 9.8 percent in May, the state labor department said Thursday.
The number of unemployed workers in the metro area increased to 273,405 in June — up 12,568, the labor department reported.
“A sharp increase in the number of discouraged workers, rising long-term unemployment, increased new layoffs and anemic job growth suggests that the fledgling economic recovery may be losing steam,” state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said in a statement.
In June, 31,434 laid off workers in metro Atlanta filed initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits — an increase of 12 percent. At the same time, the number of payroll jobs fell by 1,000 to 2,268,500.
Last week, the labor department said the state’s unemployment rate declined to 10 percent in June, from 10.1 percent in May. It was the 33rd consecutive month Georgia’s rate has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is now 9.5 percent.
Georgia lost more jobs from June 2009 to June 2010 than any other state but California, according to the U.S. Labor Department.
“This latest federal report further emphasizes the severity of the crisis facing Georgia’s economy, as our job market shows signs of renewed deterioration,” Thurmond said.
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111 comments Add your comment
A PALIN SUPPORTER
July 22nd, 2010
5:24 am
WELL HENRY……look at who is buiding additions to houses…..whi is reRoofing houses…who is raking yards…more like…it is ILLEGAL workers….YOU DON’T EXPLAIN WHY…why…why unemployment is so high..
Pity
July 22nd, 2010
5:41 am
I can tell. I’m going to have relocate. I can’t find work that can support me.
Jobless
July 22nd, 2010
5:46 am
I will agree with comment above. I notice a lot of illegals are working for cash….Noticed that their employer is writing one check for cash and they divide the money out between each other…no taxes paid…..no benefits……of course they get the job….also…my unemployment check was stopped in June…I’ve been unemployed for a year……I applied for several jobs beneath me and I’ve been over qualified for every one…been working in the state of GA for 29 years and then they want to stop my check for a month….still no signs of work no where…and now that they stopped my check…I am so behind on my car note….and house note……when I do get my extension..I will be paying out a lot of late charges……also I just found out that my home value has dropped again….Good lord….I thought I heard it was getting better……..
Atlanta hotels join forces to capture business | The Biz Beat
July 22nd, 2010
5:57 am
[...] Metro Atlanta’s jobless rate jumps to 10.3 percent [...]
Paul
July 22nd, 2010
6:10 am
Jobless – why not turn this employer into the “authorities” or the same group that turned in the employers of illegals on the Court House job in Marietta? If you get no response – then contact Henry Unger or the TV stations – they would like the story.
It is good that the umemployment checks will be issued to the long term – why are the Palin supporters and the Newt supporters against that???
For what it is worth – if we see an employer paying their employees cash – without paying taxes – they should be turned in…that hurts all of us.
Jobless
July 22nd, 2010
6:28 am
@Paul….I wouldn’t think there would be enough proof….a business can write a check for cash and cash it themselves….all the authorities have to do is open their eyes…its every where…with me drawing employment I couldnt get any food stamps…but I did notice that people take there food card in the grocery store at night…buy grocery for people and sell them the grocery for half price…..it just makes me so angry that people abuse what I worked so hard for…also know they go to all the churches and get them to pay their rent and electric bill…….I cant even get that kind of help due to the fact I draw unemployment…..This world is so screwed up…..I can’t believe it…..since I’ve been laid off….I’ve noticed a whole lot of things…..THE WICKED AND TWISTED PEOPLE……..God forgive them….. I will have to make a decision by the end of this month……hope and pray it gets better…..try to keep my home of 18 years with what a little 401k I have left..(its not worth what I owe on it)..which I got to pay freakin taxes on it…..and at least get my car paid off…..or just walk off and let someone else deal with it….I’m 48 years old, single……I just dont see how I can make ends meet any more…..and dont see me at my age starting over….
Cardboard Box Shopper
July 22nd, 2010
6:29 am
Which is it? One day they say “Ooh,there’s hope.there’s a turnaround” and the next day it’s “Ooh,the fledgling recovery may be losing steam”! I wonder what the real unemployment number is.I have…um…had a small contracting business and I get seem to find a phone booth to wire.I can’t get UI and I’m waiting anyday now for Johnny SunTrust to come and help me box up my fifty years of living,put it in storage and redirect his foreclosure notices to the cardboard box on Hwy 85,Jonesboro.Oh,yeah…great wars ya got going there…very productive!
G-Lion
July 22nd, 2010
6:30 am
Paul – I think you misrepresent the truth. Palin, Newt, and their associates are not against unemployment being extended.
They ARE against government borrowing even more money to do it. Deficit spending is what got everyone – individuals and governments – into the mess we’re in right now.
Pay as you go – that’t the only sensible way. And, yes, I am one of the people that would benefit from an extension of unemployment benefits.
Jobless
July 22nd, 2010
6:42 am
People on employment has earned it….or at least……that is what I am thinking…..working in the state of GA for 29 years at least I’ve paid it in….THE HONEST WAY…..when hard working people earn a living and then it’s taken from them at no fault of their own…..and they are hungry…..they can care less where the money is coming from……its like…if your in the deep water and you’re drowning……..you can care less if a black hand, white man or a yellow man…reaches out to help…….their has got to be a time when the people need to take care of each other…..I just want it to be the right way….I cant help the fact that our country is in a mess…..I’ve paid all my taxes and have done my part…..not to mention the fact I had to borrow 80.00 from someone just to pay my car insurance….now I got to pay that back……what a life….living off borrowed money……….
Knew it
July 22nd, 2010
6:43 am
I knew the unemployment rate was going to climb. After the mass RIFs and layoffs of teachers in the metro area, they all began filing for unemployment in May and June. What a mess!
Want2Work
July 22nd, 2010
6:43 am
So much for the “Unemployment benefits are a disincentive to work.” argument. Benefits for millions of workers were cut off on June 2, yet unemployment rises?
George
July 22nd, 2010
6:50 am
We are in difficult times right now, Call this what you want, but a Depression, is a Depression, and the Government doesn’t want to admit it. I like so many have been unemployed for the past10 months and recently took a labor job. Yes, my college degree doesn’t mean crap, when there are no jobs to be had. But that’s another story for another day. When payday came around, cash was paid for my labor. When I inquired about taxes, etc, the answer was simple, do you want to come back next week or do I find someone else…I’m sorry but these are desperate times, calling for desperate measures, I took the cash, and went back on monday. Hey, I have a family to feed, thank goodness, my wife is working, and her income is able to pay the majority of the bills, provide health benefits, etc.
DMB
July 22nd, 2010
6:55 am
The only thing I’ve heard come out of the mouths of the GOP is “NO”.
My vote for them in November is going to be “NO”.
End of story.
Jobless
July 22nd, 2010
7:00 am
@George….I don’t blame you for taken the cash…..and just be glad you have other income coming in to help pay the bills…..and health care….I don’t have health care and with all the stress that I went through I had problems breathing and had to call the ambulance out to my home…..they wouldnt leave unless I went with them cause my oxygen level was low…I didnt know what a panic attack was…..but I know now…..I tried to get one of the fire department people to drive me to the hospital in my car but they refused….so I had to go in the ambulance which charge me 700.00 to take me 14 miles….giving me oxygen and the emergency room charged me 1,400.00 for two breathing treatment……Well star now calls my home and is driving me nuts…..THEY ARE SUCH A RIP OFF……just be glad you have health insurance…..this is the first time in my 47 years of not having it……
Jim Jr
July 22nd, 2010
7:00 am
To those complaing about the illegals taking jobs. The United Farm Workers asked unemployed citizens to apply for work – harvesting produce. Several thousand sent in applictions but fewer than a dozen actually showed up. Would be interestings to see if what would happen if a local landscaper was to make the same offer.
Gee, the stimulus worked great!
July 22nd, 2010
7:05 am
The administration and Congress need to go back to the drawing board and come up with another plan. It is the fault of both parties and again you can look at the “everyone deserves a home” mentality that brought us to where we are today.
Instead of stimulus, which largely helped out the banks, but not small business that creates the jobs, how about incentives for business? Maybe then the tax digest will rise and things might finally start to improve. I agree with George, I think we are beyond a recession….I think this is a full blown depression.
Enough already!
July 22nd, 2010
7:07 am
This is crazy!
WE NEED JOBS!!!!
What is the City of Atlanta doing to attract HIGH paying jobs?
Everyday the AJC tells us about doom and gloom in Georgia – we never hear anything POSITIVE – about the economy in Atlanta.
From 34 % home forclosures to rising job loses……it sounds like ATLANTA is becoming another Detroit or Gary, Indiana!!!!
I’d like to see a story about the top 5 cities that are moving away from the recession….what cities are performing better than Atlanta??
I heard D.C. and Austin, TX are producing jobs…
obumma
July 22nd, 2010
7:12 am
Hope and Change!!!
Jobless
July 22nd, 2010
7:16 am
@Jim Jr…..I need more than a fruit pickers pay to pay my bills with my real name and address…..I am a citizen of the US and I have to pay taxes and keep my car legal……at least they can run a back ground check on me
Our entire country is becoming Detroit
July 22nd, 2010
7:22 am
Look folks, illegal immigrants didn’t destroy our economy, they are one of the few demographics that can help our economy grow. Sorry right-wingers, but that’s the truth. The success of our economy is predicated on increasing sales/profits. Our internal population is not growing, our growth has been and will be on the backs of illegal immigrants. Big business and our politicians know this, that’s why congress hasn’t taken action.
Isakson and Chambliss may say they are oppossed to illegal immigration but they have never done anything to deter it. They both get large campaign contributions from companies that directly benefit from the current flow of cheap labor from central and south America.
stop making excuses
July 22nd, 2010
7:25 am
for those that search for excuses as to why you have not done well during the recession, look no further than what’s before you in the mirror. and please, the Palin supporters, W-T-F, you sound like Democrats, whining and complaining b/c all the illegals took the coveted jobs of wacking off grass, cleaning grease off plates, and flipping burgers,,,, what!!! these are the jobs you lost??? i don’t think so, and if you did, then your a loser!
Moving to atlanta soon? Read this first - Georgia (GA) - Page 16 - City-Data Forum
July 22nd, 2010
7:26 am
[...] Anyone moving to Atlanta soon will want to read this. Metro Atlanta unemployment jumps to 10.3 percent | The Biz Beat [...]
Mary
July 22nd, 2010
7:35 am
Jobless..don’t give up and yes I see so much that we have paid for as Americans all our life and never needed and now when we need it, there are others from other countries getting it all, they have learned where to go to get all the freebies and all the state benefits. The Salvation Army will help you once if you need it and yes call your churches in your area they will help you too, I know our church does for a one time help but I will tell you after that they will only give you food, because they know there are so many out there that should not be getting it month after month. If you are a member there they will help you extended, but there are a few requirements to get that. I have a $1.23 this morning and have two little children, we have been unemployed off and on since 08 and nothing is changing, our house has dropped $160K and they are sticking us w/ all the fees that will never come off. My friend got hers modified and did not even need too until now. Started a year ago and got it a couple of months ago. We can’t even get what you saw on TV a few weeks ago because we have no income coming it at all. At this point we are just sitting and waiting for the next big change in our life..Try to keep your chin up..
Happy Girl
July 22nd, 2010
7:36 am
@Harry Reid it was a mess before Obama so who do you blame probably the one you put in office before Obama. Have A Great DAY!
Marko
July 22nd, 2010
7:37 am
But what will happen is eventually the employer who pays employees in cash will want to deduct those wages from a tax return to reduce the profit the employer pays taxes on. If auditted, the employer will be faced with either losing the deuction or repoerting those he paid cash to. So don’t assume you are safe working for cash, because you know they will roll over on you rather than pay even more tax.
Paul
July 22nd, 2010
7:38 am
stop making excuses—My employees that “whak off grass” bring home $500-$600 per week AFTER TAXES. I take offense to you calling us hard working people losers…I think you are an arrogant moron… how bout that? I gotta go to work now so I can pay for all you lazy effers mortgages.
Frustrated in 2010
July 22nd, 2010
7:38 am
I am in a similar situation as others. Un-employed for the best part of a year. My old employer called me back for 7 weeks then closed the company. Just enough time to make the un-employment claims people go berserk. Thank goodness for COBRA and the President making my former company pay for most of it, so health insurance is only a $120 a month. But car payment, insurance, condo payment, insurance, lights (A/C), gas, HOA dues and car repairs are killing me on $355 a week. Then, I call my mortgage company for some help (CHASE) and I get someone who can’t pronounce my last name AND has to get permission from thier supervisor to hang up as I would not until I got some help, or at least answers. They got permission and hung up. After 15 days of calls, I got some one who told me my Ginnie Mae loan was not covered under the loan modification plan but if I went 30 days late on my mortgage, then they could defer payments for 90 days. It makes no sense to me……..
TH
July 22nd, 2010
7:39 am
I agree with “stop making excuses” It is tough, but there are opportunities. Get creative and go find them.
Mary
July 22nd, 2010
7:40 am
@ Stop making excuses..wow…Why don’t you move to Mexico and give up your job then and maybe someone on this board can have it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doesn’t matter what job they lost the fact is that they did and they want a job and now can’t get one at all. We tried to go around cutting yards, painting, me cleaning houses and they all said we have that covered and we the people come to do the work, what do you see??? You must have some that you support.
Jobless
July 22nd, 2010
7:40 am
@stop making excuses……..those are the jobs I had to pay for my education before I had my family…….I didnt have a student loan back in the day…..I am not making excuses….as to why I am not working…..and now I am overqualified for those jobs…..and they will not hire me….they claim that after they train me that I might leave for a better paying job…….guess what? They are right……..
Mary
July 22nd, 2010
7:41 am
@TH..Like what, you can’t get a loan from a bank, everyone is trying to get something for nothing..What opportunity would you like to share? You have to employed!!!!
rww
July 22nd, 2010
7:44 am
The issue I have is if you were to even get hired by a “landscaper” or a labor company, they pay so low it is better to stay on UI and look for a better paying job. I used to be an operations manager for a landscape company and I have applied for manager jobs being offered with landscapers and guess what? NO REPLY. They dont want to pay the money.They would rather pay the “cans” on the corner than someone like me.
The Labor Guy
July 22nd, 2010
7:44 am
Some folks just kill me with their “I’m too good for that job” mentality. If your butt is UNEMPLOYED, have bills to pay, and mouths to feed – NO JOB should be BENEATH you. It’s called SURVIVAL!
Motocross Survivor
July 22nd, 2010
7:45 am
I’m against illegals coming in and ignoring our immigration laws, but tell me, how many of you complaining about illegals working here actually rake leaves, and trim hedges for a living? You will say ‘yeah but they are not paying taxes’ that support programs they themselves use and that’s true, but then again, many Americans have seen how many countless millions and millions of tax dollars are wasted on special interests and self-servers in power and naturally don’t feel to sorry about not seeing taxes being paid by so many. I guess it’s another case of what goes around comes around.
Mary
July 22nd, 2010
7:46 am
@ Frustrated in 2010, don’t give up on your mortgage company?? Sad to say they will not deal w/you unless you are late, but keep asking to speak w/someone in America they will eventually do it because they have to, make sure to call in the daytime, research onthe web for that organization that was here a few weeks ago helping people from all over the US. NAACA I think is the name. Good luck, but don’t be afraid they don’t want your house but you will end up w/ a lot of headache trying to work it out. Those that did not need workouts got them so you should try too…Good Luck
Mary
July 22nd, 2010
7:50 am
Hey guys go and ask the landscapers and the maid services and the construction services to hire you for cash and then you can keep your UI benefits and still come out a little ahead, maybe all the unemployed Americans should start sitting where the illegals sit and see if someone will pick them up for the day and work. And NO I am not to good to do anything you should have seen the FLITH I cleaned out of someones house the other day and the yards and the furniture I have moved and I am a woman…SO NO I am NOT an American looking for a handout I just want a job for the EDUCATION that I paid for that everyone said we needed to survive in AMERICAN, now I have an education and can’t get a job because I am OVER qualified to answer the phones, file etc….
Rick
July 22nd, 2010
7:54 am
Illegal aliens work in the cash economy and don’t pay their share of taxes. Even if they did, the US has lost millions of jobs that are never coming back! Those jobs will be done in other low wage countries. Illegal aliens sent money to their home countries, money that should stay in the US and support the local economies. Illegal aliens and their kids get welfare benefits as a result of their anchor babies and they live in Section 9 housing subsidized by our taxes…again as a result of their anchor babies. We pay $10,000 each year for each kid to educate them in our local schools and many counties have had to build additional schools on our dime.
A recent study found that illegal aliens cost US taxpayers $102 billion each year. Some complained because it included costs for anchor babies who may be US citizens (like to see that go to the Supreme Court), but those anchor babies wouldn’t be living here if their parents were back in their home countries.
Why are the Democrats trying to legalize 20 million illegal aliens when 15 million or more US citizens are out of work or underemployed? Some of these politicians are putting the interests of illegal aliens before the those of US citizens and legal residents!
Rick
July 22nd, 2010
7:56 am
Some of the work that US citizens won’t do can be explained by the wages being offered (the reason illegals work those jobs and live in subsidized housing). If a job can’t get workers to apply…then they have to raise the wages for that job or that business model is not workable in the US without using illegal labor
In the same boat
July 22nd, 2010
7:56 am
@Jobless,
I have heard the same thing while interviewing. If you are hired, once the job market picks up you will be gone. It may be true, but attrition happens in jobs all of the time for a whole host of reasons. There is no guarantee that anyone will be at the job they are working right now. People get promoted within companies too, do businesses not bring people on and reward them for a job well done by promoting them? Do other employees quit for jobs elsewhere? They do. I’ll take the job, but as stated I want to build a career with a business. Training and money gets put into an employee, an employee gives the business their skill and time in return. The employee will never get back that time.
stop making excuses
July 22nd, 2010
7:56 am
@JOBLESS, not all of us were meant to survive, some fall off into the depths and hopefully, you don’t reproduce. if have already, don’t teach your kids how to whine… find a job…and then you can drop the “less” off your name, however, that is how i think of you, “LESS”, minus the JOB.
dawgma
July 22nd, 2010
7:57 am
CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!
OBAMA and his cronies don’t give a damn about anything but being re-elected into power. The more they put the poor on welfare/unemployment the more control they enjoy in your life.
Dulcinea
July 22nd, 2010
7:58 am
Illegal immigration drives the American economic machine. That’s why no one, Dem or Repub, will do anything to stop it.
Why is there no talk about creating jobs to get people off of unemployment? The vast majority of jobless people just want to be working again!
Jobless
July 22nd, 2010
7:59 am
@Mary…..yeah I had to go and get my education and now I am overqualified to be a cashier at Kroger…….go figure…….begging didnt help….but they did sell me some groceries….I buy the $1.00 items every week……that’s my plan meal…..LOL…I think people should have to have a GED to get food stamps………dang getting a High School eduction was free when I was growing up……and I think it still is…….but the lady behind me was all happy about her two grocery carts full of food and spending my tax money….LOL
my Opinion
July 22nd, 2010
8:02 am
So, rick, Why are the Democrats trying to legalize 20 million illegal aliens when 15 million or more US citizens are out of work or underemployed? Some of these politicians are putting the interests of illegal aliens before the those of US citizens and legal residents!
uhhhhhh, so that they can pay taxes and pay into the Medicare system.
and you contradicted yourself twice. like most of the something for nothing crowd, you want it both ways–cheap labor from others and high pay, with benefits, for yourself.
Oh, and cutting taxes is the answer to all the nation’s problems, right/
my Opinion
July 22nd, 2010
8:03 am
Oh, for the good ole days of W, the caring leader–the self-proclaimed ‘uniter’ of the people.
stop making excuses
July 22nd, 2010
8:04 am
My theory: there has always been unemployment, now, it’s just higher b/c all the dumb folks who should not have been reproducing have been reproducing in record numbers… the smart folks haven’t reproduced enough and now, America has now turned into the Land of the Idiots, albeit, We’re free idiots, and that could actually be far worse. Idiots normally have a hard time governing themselves. Have you looked at congress and the senate lately??? oh, and of course the white house. The tea party???? please, if they had it their way, i’d be picking cotton.
The Truth
July 22nd, 2010
8:04 am
We can blame Bush all day, but the facts are clear. This current administration has – in nearly two years – decimated the country that I love.
Our current US Senators have done nothing for Georgian’s, and yes they are both republicans. Plenty of blame to go around. We have to seek help from family and friends to get us through this mess since I don’t believe it will get better soon.
I’ve worked two jobs since 1984 so I can support my family since all the money that I have put into the federal piggy bank known as social security, will not be there when I retire. Again’ plenty of blame to go around.
We have to stop relying on government to solve our problems, they have created a good part of this mess. Most of us have bought houses we couldn’t afford, cars we couldn’t afford and a lifestyle that is unsustainable. So we can blame ourselves as well.
I truly feel sorry for those of you who are out of work. I don’t see any good news on the horizon. Continue to pray that God will help you through this and He will always be there for you.
OneChris
July 22nd, 2010
8:07 am
NO SURPRISE! I know of three friends with advanced college degrees now out of work unless you count the part time retail jobs they have now as desperation has forced them to accept such jobs. Georgia must do a better job to get high education type job and not low income jobs! How the state can’t make this happen is very sad with so many great colleges here in the metro area for companies to recruit talent.
stop making excuses
July 22nd, 2010
8:08 am
all you people complaining you can’t find a job, stop reading this blog, and start reading the classifields ASAP… this is why your unemployed, your inadequate. plain and simple.
Anon
July 22nd, 2010
8:11 am
I’ve been out of work for a very long time. I am so sick of being unemployed I don’t know what to do. I have looked EVERYWHERE for a job. During the time I have been unemployed I have even gone back to the employer I worked for while I was in college. The first five times I was turned away, on the SIXTH attempt I was rehired. I have since learned that the environment has changed so much that I can’t earn enough money in that restaurant to support myself. I am so depressed I can barely get out of bed, but I am going to see if I can get a job as an asst. mgr. since the position is open. It’s definitely not what I want to do with my life, but it beats not working, and there is nothing stopping me from continuing to look for work in the mean time.
Tom Jode
July 22nd, 2010
8:18 am
Apparently more of you exist than can be supported by your environment.
nativeson71
July 22nd, 2010
8:21 am
Here are a few tips to getting a job in a tough market (in Atlanta).
So assuming you have 1 or 2 degerees and years of experience…
TIP #1: if you are FAT go on a DIET and loose the blubber.
Employers like to hire goodlooking people. Sort of like driving a Mercedes…it looks good but the reality it’s and avg car.
TIP # 2: Keep you personal FASHION expression to a minimum…no more than one ear ring (if any) per ear for women, no visible tatoos, men go to a barber shop get a good’ol fashion barber shop hair cut.
TIP # 3: No perfume, no excessive jewlery (men NO JEWLERY), no excessive makeup…
TIP # 4: Crest 3D White Strips – $20 bucks to bleach your teeth.
TIP # 5: Men and Women – basic Navy Blue Suit (no pin strips, no glitter, no lint, new black shoes. (Go to Macy’s suit department – tell them you need an ‘interview suit’ they will help you…just don’t OVER spend ..$250 to $450 for a quality suit. The sales team in the suit dept at Perimeter Mall Macy’s has helped me make a informed selection several times. Use the phrase ‘interivew, weddings and funerals suit.’
I’m done…thanks.
Jobless
July 22nd, 2010
8:22 am
@stop making excuses………guess what……….I can read this blog, cook my breakfast, drink my coffee……put on a load of clothes to wash……send two resume out…..and still comment on this blog……..oh and talk on the phone……..and its still early……..LOL
Mary
July 22nd, 2010
8:23 am
@Stop making excuses…to bad someone did not stop reproducing before you got here, Wow your mother and father should be proud of the AMERICAN you have become, maybe you should get off here and go to work and the job you still have or I might ask the AJC to find out who you are and have you fired for playing on the internet blog while you are at work and if you are retired, then shame on you too for being so mean and cold and like I said to bad someone did not stop reproducing before your kind came along…
SNELLVILLE BUSINESS OWNER
July 22nd, 2010
8:27 am
The answer to the benefits problem is that people who get them do not want to lose them. My business is off and I do not qualify even though it is like being unemployed. Bankruptcy here I come. Congree should have at least paid for the extensions. They spend money like drunken sailors.
There is alot of change just not so much hope. Have a blessed day.
metoo
July 22nd, 2010
8:29 am
You can thank the republicans for our jobs going overseas. And they call themselves “Great Americans”.
http://www.aflcio.org/issues/jobseconomy/jobs/ns03312004a.cfm
deegee
July 22nd, 2010
8:31 am
Jobless, you are 48 and single. You can learn a new skill. Why not concentrate on making yourself marketable rather than on what somebody else is doing?
BTW, most of the 10 million jobs that were lost are in construction and manufacturing. Those are industries that typically employ a number of illegal aliens. The illegal aliens that lost their jobs in those industries are gone. If you really want to compete for a construction job all you have to do is apply.
Real Facts
July 22nd, 2010
8:34 am
We are now at the final results of all the trade agreements that were done in the 1990’s. This mess we are in not because of illegals, it is not because of taxes….it is in fact caused by your jobs going over seas and which will not be coming back. Your country was sold out from under you while you still had a job and were distracted by cheap goods and low interest loans. To make matters worse, we send our cash to the oil rich countries so they could buy up what is left of us because we have no energy policy. But we are sitting here arguing about taxes, illegals and social questions that have nothing to do with getting us out of this situation. Not going to get cured of cancer when you are going to the doctor complaining of a head cold.
Jobless
July 22nd, 2010
8:36 am
It was my family in 1979 in Alabama that lost their job to over seas jobs…….they worked in the Arrow shirt factory…..but thankfully… Wal mart came alone and claim AMERICAN MADE….and it was great motto to use… when you just lost your job to overseas……so everyone ran and shopped there……all the other retail shops went under…..AND now look where WAL MART is…..SUPER STORE…now all the other mom and pops grocery stores are bailing out…..Yeah its been going on for a long time now……..its just now hurt enough people now they have woke up…….
Jobless
July 22nd, 2010
8:39 am
@degree……..I am learning a new skill…..its just not happening overnight…….taking graphic course’s………hopefully it will pan out in the near future…Thanks for bringing that up….
deegee
July 22nd, 2010
8:45 am
Jobless, I’m not picking at you but I think it might help you when corresponding with prospective employers. You might want to brush up on your English punctuation. There is no need for an apostrophe in “courses.”
Jobless
July 22nd, 2010
8:49 am
It’s all good…..when I’m blogging….I just sometimes dont even to bother to proof read my English….after I hit the send button….I might re read it… I just have a lot going on here and sorry I didn’t take the time…my bad……
sam
July 22nd, 2010
8:50 am
Really, do we think folks in this country illegally are preventing you from getting work? The truth is corporations have 2 trillion dollars in cash right now that they could spend to hire. They won’t. Better as them why.
btw, if you’re looking for work I’ve been hearing great job search advice on an internet radio show at http://www.jobtalkamerica.com
FYI
July 22nd, 2010
8:52 am
Not sure if anyone is interested, but there is a company here in Atlanta called The Cleaning Authority. They have owner operated offices all over the metro area. I know several owners, and their biggest complaint is the constant turnover in the employees. The position pays between $7.25 and $10.00 per hour. Hours are Mon-Fri, from 7a to 4p. I know it’s probably not the ideal job for a lot of people, but if you are really desperate and want to work, I know that the owners would love to have some reliable, hard working folks that are interested in doing a good job. i know that once you are in, there are several different opportunities to increase your wages as well as your position in the office. I can tell you that there are TCA offices in Cumming, Atlanta, Duluth, Marietta and Jonesboro that are always hiring. It may be worth your time to check them out.
Good Move
July 22nd, 2010
8:55 am
@Jobless you shouldn’t have to apologize for your misuse of the English language. This is a blog not a college assignment… I feel for the people who are jobless. I pray that the situation gets better. It’s basically bad for people who are working as well. We have furlough days, they are going up on our insurance, work is slow and they are taking more money out of checks for this 401k that we are forced to join. Something has got to give…
tell it like it is
July 22nd, 2010
8:57 am
theirs a lot of people working that should not be working,and a lot of people not working that should be working.
deegee
July 22nd, 2010
9:00 am
sam, thanks for mentioning the news concerning the positive cash flow of American corporations. We are going to be hearing more or this in the next week as companies announce earnings. They have cut expenses/jobs to the bone and the cash they are saving will be paid in the form of bonuses to executives and dividends to shareholders. I would rather see them invest the cash into developing innovative products that will decrease our demand for foreign energy, improve our national transportation system, improve the delivery of health care, etc.
My understanding is that there are a number of small companies that have the expertise to develop products for the 21st century but they can’t get access to the venture capital that they need to go into production. We’re being screwed by the accountants and the finance people.
frustrated in 2010
July 22nd, 2010
9:00 am
@nativeson71 – Very helpful… Really… TY
Jobless
July 22nd, 2010
9:03 am
@Good Move…Thanks for being understanding. I sorta felt like that anyways….Thanks for all the prayers….seems like I find myself in prayer most of the day……and I believe in my heart that it’s going to get better…..I do have hope…..and you keep putting that money in 401k…..I did for over 22 years……and it my life line now…….if people think a unemployment check is a living.. they don’t have a clue…..God bless …..you all have a blessed day. I got to leave this blog now……thanks for letting me vent a little……..LOL its all good…
songbird
July 22nd, 2010
9:08 am
To all of you who are blaming Obama for GA’s jobless rate being higher than the national average, I think you should be looking closer to home, i.e., the Republicans running this state for the past 8 years. They are the ones to blame for the mess this state is in.
Jonathan
July 22nd, 2010
9:08 am
America’s addiction to illegal immigration is far deadlier to its health in the long-term than the overblown “addiction to oil” (which I agree we need to move away from). The Romans moved from an internally-driven economy to an externally-driven economy, as over time military conquest brought them gobs of cheap labor in the form of slaves. This addiction to an inherently unstable pillar of growth is one of the things that led them down the path to their collapse.
But there is more than that. The Roman citizens also fell victim to oppulence and apathy. At the same time their ruling elite lavished in luxury. A society that abhored the idea of Kings just hundreds of years earlier was seen cheering on emperors in their triumphal processions down the city plazas. There is a remarkable similarity between the Roman system of handouts from elites to the citizenry and our modern entitlement state.
These days, the cycle repeats itself in the United States. The bill is already coming due for our addiction to illegal labor, our social programs, and our foreign entanglements. We are paying for it in racial strife, finger pointing, a decrease in tax revenues, and stifled job growth, while talk continually floats about placing ever more burdern on the responsible.
Our president follows the Roman pattern of grabbing more and more power for the Federal Government — he wasn’t the first in our nation to do so, and he won’t be the last. Tyranny is seldom tanks rolling into squares, toppling our places of government. It is most effective when subversive. Like Rome, Tyranny spreads via a subtle series of efforts. Our chains are forged in the divisive, unequal-treatment of progressivism.
People will have to wind up in bread lines or a similarly desperate situations. When we refuse to take our cues from the Bible, this becomes the only way we end up learning and resetting the cycle.
Dave
July 22nd, 2010
9:17 am
Entitlement is strong in Atlanta. I am a foreigner of 30 years. I was 7 when I moved here. My parents came here legally and earned citizenship. I once asked my dad why we moved from France and his response was because you can always find work if you are willing, in this country. Very different than France. This is still the case. However, Americans, Atlantans in particular feel so entitled that they would rather sit around a get unemployment. Earning a max od 350 a week.
I placed an add last week for potential of 50k a year in commissions. Retail Sales with benefits, starting at 500 a week and received 3 responses. Because there are a bunch of free loafing lazy people on this city that like to sit around and blame every one else for their problems. Get off your BEHIND and do what it takes to earn some money to get off the grid. Be a contributor not a loafer. I dont care what you say but any one can earn at least what unemployment pays, Excuses like its beneath me, this is not my type of work are mear justifications to be LAZY. Get over it, get back to work, clean houses, yards, do manual labor until you can get back to what you were doing. I am an American that earned my citizenship and I value the opportunities that are in front of me and realize they are better here than in any other country. What we need is an attitude adjustment and things will begin to improve.
I know some have physically reasons that they can not wrok and i am not talking to you.
Fact, foreigners are 5 times more likely to become millionaires as compared to American born. Because they value what we have! Period, end of line. STOP THE LAZINESS!
GG
July 22nd, 2010
9:20 am
Why are you people still here??? I was told that I will be laid off at the end of August, and have already made plans to move to where the jobs are. Never understood why someone would want to stay in a place where the economy is in the tank.
El Positivo
July 22nd, 2010
9:26 am
Quit finding excuses, people. I just got hired in GA and am making a decent salary with benefits. I have to commute to Gwinnett but in reality, it is only as hard to find work as we allow it to be. Have faith, volunteer and succeed.
Anon
July 22nd, 2010
9:28 am
@GG,
I’ll tell you why I am still here. I have looked in other areas of the country without success. I have even looked into returning to my hometown and the situation is the same there. Truth be known, the job market is horrid here, but it’s not better everywhere either.
songbird
July 22nd, 2010
9:29 am
Not sure if any of the unemployed on this blog as on LinkedIn, but that is a great site to join, especially if you have a degree. It will help you connect with people who are hiring.
Wade
July 22nd, 2010
9:29 am
I wonder if any of the people that complain about rising deficits and debt in this country are recieving any of these extended unemployment benefits. i wonder if they told they’re family that they wont except the money, because it contributes to the national debt
John
July 22nd, 2010
9:46 am
The same people that are complaining about illegal workers are the ones that will not do landscaping work. I own a landscaping co and every time I offer a job to an American, the answer is no, it’s too hard or too hot. If they do start, they quit in three days. Illegals don’t work cheap but they do work hard. I would love to hire Americans if Mom and Dad hadn’t raised such spoiled brats
Eric
July 22nd, 2010
9:48 am
How’s that CHANGE working for ya?
Jobs going overseas-outsourcing
July 22nd, 2010
9:52 am
What a crock of balogney. This outsourcing term is some nonsense that has only come about in the last 10 years. The only jobs going overseas are textile jobs where we simply cannot and should not compete with Asian workers being paid $1.00 a day to make towels, cheap plastic items,etc.
Outsourcing has been going on forever folks. Its just a catchy term used today to justify tariffs so that we can protect $8.00 hr textile jobs. If we did that we as consumers would all be paying substantially higher costs for everyday goods at places like Walmart, Kroger,etc. That would lead to less purchasing power, less demand, and then yet more unemployment- quite a viscious cycle. Let the Asian nations make the cheap stuff. Its called the economic law of comparative advantage folks. Lets retrain our workers to do high tech jobs.
There is truth to the impact illegals have. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and various other studies the mass of illegals has pushed down blue collar wages 15% minimally. We didn’t need fancy studies from the govt though to see that decent paying jobs once held by joe blue collar blacks and whites such as construction, painting houses, paving roads, have all been lost to illegals.
What’s more is that I have a friend who lives in Dalton where the carpet mills are and a friend who worked at a large south Georgia saw mill. All those jobs belong to illegals now. And guess what? They don’t pay taxes. At all those plants (poultry processing plants also) the illegals use fake socials and claim crazy numbers of dependents like 9,15, etc. so that they have virtually no federal taxes being taken out. Its sick that this happens with the complicity of US companies. Who gets screwed? You and me in the way of more unemployed Americans and more employed Americans paying a higher tax burden because illegals are paying nothing. And maybe we would have more money for extended unemployment benefits if illegals at these jobs were actually paying something into the state and federal coffers. They are not.
Change you can believe in!
July 22nd, 2010
9:57 am
I guess all the sloganeering and pretty, feel good, rousing speeches got us now where. All flash, no substance.
I remember when Obama got elected on election night and they were interviewing folks at the Dem hq. Everyone remember that woman who was crying in delight and saying “now I don’t have to worry about my mortgage. Now I’m gonna get free gas put in my car”. Wonder how things are going for her now.
askip32
July 22nd, 2010
10:04 am
I’m shocked that nobody has said “Bush caused this to happen”….Too bad you people voted for Obama, vote him in again! Dumbmasses, less make GA a Dem. state again. Sorry I should go and help a white farmer then I could get a job, no wait I’m white and don’t speak mexican.
Motocross Survivor
July 22nd, 2010
10:12 am
Nativeson71, good advice except for two of your suggestions:
I find people with teeth bleached to an unnatural white off-putting. Of course, if
you’re looking for a cheesy job, e.g. car salesman, “health club” or gym, or
in real estate, I’d say go for the bleached teeth.
Uh, Macys….Macys is a company that has a rather glaring fear of the “C” word,
Christmas. I used to buy all kinds of things there, never again. I don’t even
know what a Macys is. There are plenty of places to get job interview duds.
Rick B
July 22nd, 2010
10:18 am
All this talk about high unemployment and yet companies are reporting profits can be explained in one word ‘Outsourcing’. Companies are laying off employees here in the US and outsourcing those jobs overseas at much lower rates which in turn improves the companies profit margins. What companies fail to see is the long reaching implications of this. Eventually those folks who have been laid off will no longer have the means to spend money with the company(s) that laid them off. Outsourcing has a far reaching impact that directly affects our communities ability to grow. Outsourced jobs impact the community grocery stores, hardware stores, day care facilities, the local flower store, etc…. We seem to fail to see that when companies send jobs overseas it will ultimately impact their profits, it may take some time before they feel the true impact but it’s coming. We are on the ledge of a major economic collapse that we don’t even see coming.
say what?
July 22nd, 2010
10:23 am
@Jobs overseas- ACtually more careers are moving overseas as technology advances. Software engineering jobs have been outsourced as you can email or Fedex work done on new products. Quality assurance and learning/organization jobs are outsourced to other countries as well. If a job requires a majority of the time using computers, faxes, emails, employee intranets- then that job can be outsourced to employees in other countries where the need for employee benefits is slim to none. In the medical field, our medical records are now electronic, compliance officers in America are no longer necessary as we can now connect a village to the internet, explain policy, provide some training, and let them make decisions on your care. I can see “e-doctors” coming on board to diagnose health problems. Oops we already have that.
diversity diva
July 22nd, 2010
10:28 am
Blaming others; illegals, the government, blacks, whites, pinks, is self-defeating. Yes we are in a recession, yes we financed an entire war with deficit spending and now we are financing food on the table of unemployed hard working people who would have NOTHING otherwise with deficit spending. We allowed big business (banks, derivatives) to scheme and speculate so now many of us are suffering. We allowed a war we could not afford so now many of us suffering. We cut taxes in the midst of all of that(and I am a proponent of lower taxes) further aggravating our deficit spending, so many of us are suffering. Where were the voices against deficit spending when we were sinking into this hole for no good reason? We allowed deficit spending for war and tax cuts but now that we have to do it for those who have put their blood, sweat, and tears into the economy and need us we have a problem. We have to get off the blame game. When I was young the blacks were the problem and everyone’s employment issue was the menial jobs they were allowed to occupy, now its the Mexicans but that was not the truth then and it is not the truth now. All pain always has a purpose and I pray we do not repeat the same cycle with blame and mis-directed anger. If we do not get the lesson we will repeat the class. We will get through this. I just hope we do not keep repeating the same thing (blame, uncooperative divisiveness, hate) and expect a different result. God has a way of turning up the heat to refocus us, hopefully to love, compassion, and faith. Anything else will prove fruitless.
shadow7071
July 22nd, 2010
10:34 am
Just a few years ago the argument was… we don’t need manufacturing jobs because we’re all going to be “Knowledge Workers”. We’re going to do all of the “Smart” work and we’ll let these folks in developing countries do this production stuff. So we stood by and allowed those dirty, undesirable, manufacturing jobs to go away. What we didn’t realize was that many “Knowledge Worker” jobs were tied to manufacturing and those jobs went also. And over time many more “Knowledge Worker” jobs have gone offshore.
At the same time we were told that its ok for illegals to do stuff like construction, lawn care, fast food, and other service jobs because all of us are going to be the “Smart Knowledge Workers”.
Now we’re told that we’re all going to be “Green Workers”. All that “Knowledge Work” is best done offshore by folks who are smarter, work better with technology and will work for less money. So, for all of the unemployed in Atlanta and across the country you need to looking for “Green Work” and a “Green Job”. And you need to be quick before these “Green Jobs” are off-shored to people who are more “Green” and better suited for “Green” work than we are.
Atlantan
July 22nd, 2010
11:05 am
The summer of recovery sure has been fun. The truth always wins in the end. If you are unemployed or don’t like this economy look directly at the Obama administration and the Democrat controlled congress. Regulation after regulation and taxes are about to go sky high. A business is not going to hire in this environment unless they absolutely have to do it. If American’s held their politicians accountable the economy would be doing much better. Obama / Pelosi & Reed have created an air of uncertainty and they are stalling business growth and hiring.
Bush had us at an unemployment rate below 5%. Reagan’s tax cuts drove a fantastic economy in the 80’s. Even Clinton with a Republican house had the ship moving forward.
There is a way out of this mess, but not until there is dramatic change in DC will business and employment growth take place again.
deegee
July 22nd, 2010
11:05 am
So true, John. The anti-immigrant group likes to talk about lines around the block when a company is hiring after an ICE raid. Those that are hired won’t come back after they get their first paycheck.
Andy in Blairsville
July 22nd, 2010
11:16 am
The double-dip recession has begun and Q3 and Q4 2010 will be negative GDP quarters.
Alecia
July 22nd, 2010
11:18 am
I wonder how many people on this blog try to purchase American products when available. Some may argue that it is more expensive. However, the cheapo Chinese products have been going up in price and catching up with the U.S.. Sometimes our stuff costs less after transporting across the world. Of course I would never eat anything from China(Juicy Juice and candy products). Anyone that would eat food from a country that cannot get baby formula right is a total moron. I would also rather have a good Weber grill (USA) than the majority of the cheapos found at HD or Lowe’s(Chinese w/ higher gauge steel). Yeah the Weber costs more, but we are talking about things that catch fire and can endanger your family.
Aside from the quality issues, buying American helps our economy and produces jobs. Everyone needs to do their part and not just sit back and say “What can the government give me?”
Metro Atlanta unemployment jumps to 10.3 percent | The Atlanta Post
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nativeson71
July 22nd, 2010
11:38 am
@Motorcross –
Pick your prefered suit store…Mensware House is a great retailer where you one can ask for a basic ‘interview suit’…and they will steer a consumer in the right direction.
Teeth bleeching – the point being to look fresh and ready to hit the ground running. Bleeching will not hurt…but that tattoo on one’s wrist might.
Cheesy Job – when I was unemployed I would have done ANYTHING to pay the mortgage…so while working in a gym might be cheesy to you…I would do it and flip burgers if I had too. Having / accepting a job in the economy is important…and when the ‘real’ job comes along your resume will show you have been working and not laying around collecting welfare ..oops I mean unemployment.
Anon
July 22nd, 2010
12:02 pm
In the early to mid 80’s unemployment was sky high. I was unable to find work in my hometown, so eventually I relocated to Atlanta to find work. The 80’s weren’t all that great, but people will remember the past with just a little more in focus.
sally
July 22nd, 2010
12:10 pm
All this RACISM is not going to help the problem. U.S. problems are deep and complex, if they weren’t someone would have already solved the issue of this recession. Bush and the war started the recession and now we are in the hole so deep no one can figure a way out. Now some folks in GA need to open up to moving other places, apply for jobs out of state, make a career change, do something to get off unemployment, but I have no problem with folks receiving it. Better they receive unemployment than come knock me side the head or break in my house because they need money for food. People do get desperate.
Andy in Blairsville
July 22nd, 2010
12:11 pm
To Alecia: I’m proud to be an American manufacturer myself who grew 30% in 09 and I’m on track to grow 20% in 2010 if the economy doesn’t totally fall off the map. I even plan to build another warehouse this fall as I’m quickly running out of room. And yes, I’m part of a dying breed.
I was shocked the other day when I was in Walmart and they had a 4 or 5 pack of plastic cups on sale for .50 AND the cups were made in the USA.
Mike Manning Jr
July 22nd, 2010
12:12 pm
Dave? I am interested! Can You give me more information? MikenAtlanta@gmail.com
Bad Times
July 22nd, 2010
12:37 pm
I have a masters degree and have been working retail for about 3 years on a part time bases. My hours just got cut there also because business is down. What amazes me is when someone comes into my place of business and said they just moved here but didn’t have a job. I would say to them, do you know the unemployment rate here? I just didn’t get it.
John Galt
July 22nd, 2010
12:57 pm
Did you people really expect Hope and Change from this guy? Suckers.
Mike Manning Jr
July 22nd, 2010
1:03 pm
I think that this blog is controlled 100% by the ” Powers that be”>>
Comrade Obama
July 22nd, 2010
1:43 pm
No they expected him to pay for their house and car.
Recession?
July 22nd, 2010
1:56 pm
Obama’s economic gurus said the recession was over long ago—cheer up—they know what they are talking about. Some of them went to harvard.
Montell
July 22nd, 2010
2:14 pm
The system is set to hurt minorities more than anyone—all this racism is keeping African-Americans from finding good jobs. I’m getting tired of this and if I don’t find a job soon, I’m moving back to New Jersey.
sigh
July 22nd, 2010
2:31 pm
Go for it, Montell. The system isn’t set up to hurt any minority more than another, it just affects certain industries more. As proof, look at the Male vs Female employment gap. This is a male recession. Does that mean the Man is out to get men? Nope, it just means male-dominate industries happened to be hit harder.
Stop using race as a crutch for everything goodness.
Urbancow
July 22nd, 2010
3:24 pm
If you are complaining about illegals stealing your job, you should have either stayed in school a little longer or not committed so many felonies.
anonymous coward
July 22nd, 2010
4:29 pm
It’s a funny thing – I read a lot of complaints about this administration or that administration and Congress that screwed everything up and how it’s all their fault, oh woe is us. When in reality it’s ALL OUR FAULT. You go to WalMart to buy your stuff, right? Where’s it made? CHINA. Every dang bit of it. You drive your huge SUV’s and pick up trucks that get 15 MPG at best – that oil doesn’t come from here. All that money you spend or have spent on whatever you buy goes out of the economy. That’s NO JOBS for Americans, no manufacturing for AMERICANS. You’re all a bunch of sheep that just run to the next bargain, who cares where it’s made or what it means to purchase this crap just because it’s the cheapest. Then, when that’s not enough, you put second mortgages on your homes to buy even more crap made in CHINA, and when the bottom falls out, there’s no jobs left GUESS WHAT — WE DID IT TO OURSELVES. We elected people, put them in government over and over, didn’t pay any attention to what they did. WE DID THAT TO OURSELVES. You want government to take care of you, fix the economy, make jobs better…. good luck with that. It doesn’t work in Cuba and it sure as heck won’t work here. Oh wait, Cuba has 95% or better employment, but as they say, the government pretends to pay and we pretend to work. Is that the kind of life you’re looking for?
Karen Handel calls for anti-abortion officials to resign | atlanta.rssible.com
July 22nd, 2010
5:19 pm
[...] other news, Georgia’s unemployment rate unexpectedly jolted in [...]
Mike
July 22nd, 2010
10:29 pm
Reading through the posts has reassured me of one long standing stereotype……….
the South truly is full of stupid people.
GA Unemployed Resident
July 25th, 2010
9:32 pm
Going through re-training is a great idea; however, when you’re unemployed, that choice is placed on the back burner when there’s no money coming in. It’s easy for someone whose employed to tell someone without income to return to school. Give me a job first and I will go back!
Bad Times
July 26th, 2010
2:14 am
Great post anonymous coward. I’d like to add to that by saying that the ones that want stricter immigration reform are the very ones that drive by the Home Depots and pick these people up because of their low wages and pay them cash and don’t have to pay payroll taxes.
Oscar
July 26th, 2010
3:20 am
Compounding the problem is the fact too many people have too many children. Stop having kids that you can’t afford. Numbr two, stop living beyond your means. And finally, stop being insecure and believing you must be married. Too often that results in divorce, alimony and child support. Live responsibly and you can retire at an early age.