Chicken before the egg? Consumption can't be without production. Invisible jobs? "Creation" of jobs? Look at the IC of BRIC, the EPA standard differences, the wage differences, the "treaties" that have allowed this, the G-S act vs. the GLB bill, what's supposed to "be" a reality later in Copenhagen.

Continued loss of jobs, loss and contraction of small business, no "real jobs" coming on the horizon... consumption has to fall. Competition among jobs that are left has driven wages way down, most falling into the category of PRN, per diem, part time, no benefits... and the questions over health care only fuels this.

Smart people are hunkering in, hoping and trying to effect real change, not more band-aides and wastes of tax payer money, increased deficit spending, and again.... waiting for the repeal of the treasonous treaties and enactment of sound legislation regarding both business and health care.

Who in their right mind thinks we can compete with China or India on a purely profit level, and who in their right mind thinks that is the same as "free market" and competition? The playing field is about as level as the hill my kids use to sled on when it snows...

Moderation - you have it backwards. Until demand increases no business will increase hiring. To hire in hopes that demand might increase sometime soon is a formula for bankruptcy. The best one can hope for is some temp hiring, as retail stores do in anticipation of increased traffic during the weeks leading up to the holidays.