Daves Post something to think about:

[Broompilot]

We are blessed to be living in the Greatest Country the Civilized World has ever known. First thanks to all those who have Served and those who have Sacraficed. Business leaders for guiding us and all of those who came before us and built this Country.

Now with that said: Yesterday alone, another attack on every working legal citizen has occured. Also intresting I recieved a call from my Stock Broker and the discussion fell to Michigan as this is where his office is located.

People who want to work such as me and you, cannot find jobs above $12.00 an hour and if they do most likely its part time no bene's. (This is not just a MI thing either). Also people who have been with companies are finding they are cut to two or three days a week, or worst yet no pay at all (Company cannot meet Payroll) or the Company has been sold, or just went out of Business.

For a Person in his late 40s or 50s with a Family kids in school, college on the horizon or some in. Those smart enough to have put a nest egg aside (401) they are supplimenting there income at an Enormous Expense (Taxes and fees) no fault really of there own just to survive. As for selling a home, the market has crashed in MI so any value one was counting on there has dissipeared.

Now people have asked or posted Why Am I Not As Happy As I Use To Be? Maybee cause I care about my fellow man to much, citizen, etc.. The string that keeps us all together. I never thought two and half years ago that this Economy would have turned in this direction. Working people with a Work Ethic, not just Auto Workers wanting to work, who just cannot find it. Smart People. Our Business is directly related to what is begining to happen in Michigan. (Anyone able to just pull loads out of Michigan like Chicago?) Use to be able to, its still there just longer sits or DH out is what I have read here.

Our Govt. has plain and simple gotten to big. We have let them control everything they want to and now they break the LAW, and some in the Senate say its opening a Page as for their excuse to not enforcing the laws on the books. I have no gripe against the Mexican People. There is Poverty all of the World, it is up to each Govt. to control its Greed inside and to improve its situation including the Mexican Govt. One cannot blame one for wanting a better life, but at this rate it has now gone over the limit and will cost me and you Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer to benefit a few (Business that depends on illegals for the bottom line) And there goes the Baby with the Bath water is the best description I can come up with.

I wish us all well, keep this in mind the next time your at the polls, the next time you take a load to Detroit.

PS this is just another example on how our Govt is not telling the truth: Inflation rate, can you believe that on Calculating the CPI that food and fuel are not included: This is how they are keeping the intrest payments to China, and China is feeding us all this low priced goods into our Economy to keep the rate low as well. If inflations head pops up, Chinas economy will be hurt as well. Anyone filled a grocery cart up lately, what was two years ago $80 is now over $110. 8 gallons of gas $26.80 in some places. Sorry to be so negative, there are many great things going on here but like I said in two and three paragraphs above.

 

[davekc]

I agree that there will always be issues that are negative in nature. Detroit has had its problems for years, yet there are many profitable businesses in the state. Granted it is a shrinking number, but these people adapt. They are either moving out of state, or to a foriegn country. Existing people there may have to do the same thing.

The greatest thing in this country is opportunity. Most others either don't provide it, or it is available on a very limited scale. In my own personal situation when I first got into expediting, it was very lucrative. Because of that, we knew it wasn't a forever thing. We knew we had to create a opportunity when the bottom fell out. It essentially did in 2000. We took our profits from the earlier years and started buying repo trucks for pennies on the dollar. Some we sold to other expediters, and some we converted to flatbeds and tow trucks. Yep, still made money in expediting, and never drove a mile.
When it picked up, we already had paid for trucks and hauled under our own authority for several years. The point being is we had opportunities, or had to create them. It is amazing that when something goes south, it has usually created an opportunity somewhere else.







Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[kempers_gramp]

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES, SOMEWHERE, ANOTHER ONE OPENS!!!

So true Dave..and if you don't adapt to demand and what the market has to offer, you could be selling for pennies on the dollar.

I'm not trying to cut on you Dave, what I'm trying to get across is the fact that this is America. There are no guarantees.
Definition of guarantee...Taken from Wiktionary.org
1. Anything that assures a certain outcome.
2. A written declaration that a certain product will be fit for a purpose and work correctly.
3. A person who gives such a guarantee; a guarantor.

If you don't stay on top of your game, keep working hard, and adjusting, somebody else could "sweep the rug out from underneath your feet".

It's called Capitalism.
Coppied from Wikipedia.com.
Capitalism generally refers to an economic system in which the means of production are privately owned and operated for profit, and in which investments, distribution, income, production and pricing of goods and services are determined through the operation of a free market. It is usually considered to involve the right of individuals and groups of individuals acting as "legal persons" or corporations to trade capital goods, labor, land and money.)

Kemp.

 

[tec1959]

Thanks guys I agree.BUT I'd never live anywhere else though.

 

[Moot]

> Also intresting I recieved a call from my Stock Broker and the discussion fell to Michigan as this is where his office is located.

I never thought two and half years ago that this Economy would
>have turned in this direction.


Wow! I see you have a stock broker so I assume you are investing in the stock market. A market that is doing very well by the way.

As for the economy, that is doing just fine also. Especially when you consider that we are involved in a war in Iraq and that the price of oil is rising. Unemployment is at 4.5% for April. The annual unemployment rate for 2006 was 4.5%. A 4-6% unemployment rate is considered healthy. Unless of course you are one of the 4-6% without a job.

The consumer price index is on the rise do to the price of oil and now corn.

The national economy as a whole is in great shape. I don't know about Michigan's economic condition but I do know that for at least the past 25 years Southeastern Michigan has been losing high paying automotive jobs to other parts of the country and now to Mexico.

If you are sitting a long time between loads maybe you should find another carrier or line of work. Please don't blame the national economy for your lack of work. At least not yet.

I hope your situation and the state of Michigan's improves. Good luck!

 

[riverrat2000]

>As for the economy, that is doing just fine also.
Enron was doing great also, the stock brokers were happy, the employees were happy, everyone was happy right up to the day it blew up in their faces and they all found out that they had buried their heads in the sand. this economy is being propped up artifically and we are being set up for a fall that will make the "30"s look like a bump in the road, with no FDR. and new deal on the horizon to save us this time. Its all smoke and mirrors the key is the baby boomers that are now retiring and the strain that is already starting to cause major problems.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Remember the dotcom boom in the stock market? That was artificial. Difference is, there was a wage increase due to lack of workers. I don't see that happening now. Truckers are not doing all that well. Freight is down, so is the production of boxes, which is an indicator of how manufacturing is doing. Someone on high could be manipulating the market, just as they did in the 90's. So I wouldn't be surprised if it all fell apart tomorrow. You know when something smells fishy and you just can't put your hand on it?

-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!

 

[Moot]

>You know when something smells fishy and you just can't put your
>hand on it?

Or when you do your hand gets slapped.

If the economy is so terrible and you can't make a living in trucking why not move away from Michigan and find a different line of work.

4-6% unemployment is healthy. Near zero unemployment results in wage increases and inflation. High unemployment results in a decrease in consumer spending which leads to a recession.

The economy is not static but ever changing. The bigest threat in the near future is the increase in oil prices. Like it or not oil is a very important factor that effects this country's economy.

As for baby boomers, they were the result of post war prosperity. If I remember correctly it was FDR who got the U.S.A. into WW II. Ergo it is FDR who is responsible for the baby boom gerneration and all the economic woe this country is in today. How's that for laying blame.

I own a cargo van and am a member of the baby boom generation so I guess I should shoulder some of the blame but I'm not ready to kill myself just yet.

Enron?

 

[Tennesseahawk]

All I'm saying is that we're being told the economy is hunky-dorey. I don't see it. Unemployment is 5%? That's a deceptive indicator. Where were these jobs created? Who took them? Could be the economy is doing well because the manufacturing and skilled labor jobs were all taken by illegals, thus the companies made a profit on that point rather than actual sales. Meanwhile, the low unemployment would indicate a lot more cash register and burger flipping jobs. Dunno... but won't get the real story from those in charge.

-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!

 

[kempers_gramp]

>All I'm saying is that we're being told the economy is
>hunky-dorey. I don't see it. Unemployment is 5%? That's a
>deceptive indicator. Where were these jobs created? Who took
>them? Could be the economy is doing well because the
>manufacturing and skilled labor jobs were all taken by
>illegals, thus the companies made a profit on that point
>rather than actual sales.

Wouldn't the unemployment rate actually be lower if we are employing 12 million illegals? These people wouldn't normally be applying for unemployment if they were unemployed. So take away 12 million illegals, give the jobs to the unemployed and whala, the unemployment rate drops even lower to about 2.7 percent.

Meanwhile, the low unemployment
>would indicate a lot more cash register and burger flipping
>jobs. Dunno... but won't get the real story from those in
>charge.

Hey lets face it cash register and burger flipping jobs are still jobs. Somebody has to fill those shoes to.

 

[Turtle]

and if you don't adapt to demand
and what the market has to offer,
you could be selling
for pennies on the dollar.


Ah! That's from that Ross Perot hit rap single,
"Hear That Suckin' Sound"

http://www.lauraharling.com/images/ross2.jpg

Now available from M&M Home Video.
Some restrictions apply,
because that's what restrictions do,
they apply!
See store for details.

 

[tec1959]

COOL Turtle LOL...

 

[kempers_gramp]

>Ah! That's from that Ross Perot hit rap single,
>"Hear That Suckin'(FROM TRUCKIN) Sound"
>
>Now available from M&M Home Video.
>Some restrictions apply,
>because that's what restrictions do,
>they apply!
>See store for details.

Turtle,......
I ap....apppr..........appriiitiate....restrictions...specially when they apply!

 

[Broompilot]

Just by reading these posts, the difference between education and hearing one article truley comes out in peoples posts.

I for one must congratulate many for such wonderfull comments vs. one who follows, studies, and listens to many articles. As for since I have a stock broker I must be in the market, you the commentator do not know crap, I never said I invested or did not. The comment you made a toal assumption with out knowing any facts.

I appriciate it when someone plays phone, he said this, she than told A that and than A told C well you get the picture and your playing part of the picture.

I wish you well on your Merry Go Round and becomming an expert based on one article or news cast.

 

[tec1959]

You know that while other Industry's get a raise and employees of some of these companies get raises often,Then why hasn't the trucking Industry and the drivers got a raise In years It doesn't make since.What we do not all people can do and If we stopped America would stop.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

It's called deregulation. If someone wants to increase their rates, someone else will stay the same. If someone is willing to stay the same, someone else will decrease their rates(JBHunt). That's why we're not getting a pay raise in this industry. For everyone of us wanting a rate increase, there are 10 more willing to cut our throats if we try to get one.

-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!

 

[Moot]

Broom, I the commentator made that assumption based on what you wrote, "... I received a call from my stock broker..." A stock broker is a person that buys and sells stock. If I write I received a call from my diesel mechanic is it much of a stretch to assume I own a diesel engine? If I write I received a call from my oncologist would it not be fair to assume that I had some tumor related issues?

I am not sure why you have a stock broker if not to buy and sell stocks for you. You were the one that mentioned "your stock broker" in your original post. Then you went on a rant about the current state of the national economy. (I think?) There have been many comments on this site the past year about how terrible the economy is. The truth is for now the economy is fine. The high price of oil could change that very soon. If your situation isn't as good as it was 2 years please don't blame the national economy. Expediting in general has become stagnant due to competition and discounted rates. You must look beyond your personal situtation and expeditng to see that the economy and the stock market are doing fine.

As for the rest of your comments in reply # 13, I haven't the slightest clue what you are trying to say. I am very much in the dark on your original post also. But I felt compelled to comment on your negative attitude toward the economy. I guess if I can't understand a complete post I should refrain from commenting on specific portions of that post.

I'm not sure why you have a stock broker. But if all he or she does is call you with depressing news it might be time to shop for a new broker.

Why do you have a stock broker?

Buy low! Sell high!

 

[Moot]

I'm bumping this to coincide with the rant post.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Broom... If you say you talked to your stock broker, I would have to assume you're investing, or thinking of doing so. If someone says they're talking to their fertility consultant, couldn't you assume they're trying to get pregnant?

-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!