I Think I'll Bike to Work Today

Just recently, oil prices have reached a new high for 2009. With the raise in oil prices, the general thought is that new means of transportation needs to be found; whether its a bus, a shuttle, biking, or walking. The growing rate of unemployment and job cuts is yet one more factor contributing to the "severe drop-off in miles driven by Americans". With less money in their bank accounts, Americans are finding ways to save. One of those ways is by finding alternative transportation. This last February, it was shown that Americans had driven 3.1% less than this same time last year. Currently, oil is still being produced meaning that supply is still up, however, the demand for oil is way down with the current economic crisis. So if people are driving less, then why are we faced with the prices going up? Well, the supply of oil will soon start going down, as OPEC "squeezes global oil supplies, trimming 4.2 million barrels per day". As the supply of oil decreases, the price of oil will go up. As for now I'd bust out your bike because, ""I think we'll see higher oil prices for a while," said Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic Research."
-SC

Out with the Hoovervilles, In with the Nickelsvilles

"The reality is that could be us one day." With the American unemployment rate rising steadily to 8.1% so far, it comes as no surprise that housing is continuing to suffer right along with it. As the people of America lose their jobs, the likelyhood of paying their morgages beomes more and more slim, leaving them often in the situation of forclosure. In the city of Seattle, WA this is an enormous problem. Upon losing their homes these people (between 50-100 daily) end up living in the outdoor Nickelsvilles. "Got a lotta people losing their homes. You don't want to go all the way to the bottom. Nickelsville is kind of a catch in between," said one Nickelodeon, a former warehouse manager who never thought he would lose his job and home. So with the unemployment rate rising, the rates of foreclosure rising and the need for more places such as the Nickelsvilles, what is it that can be done to help solve this problem? Well, the pumping of money into the economy looks like a pretty good plan for now. This expansionary method involving government spending will be a way to help lower the unemployment rate, and thus hopefully get these Nickelodeons back into real homes by means of helping them to again attain positions in the work force. It is a must that these people be removed from the Nickelsvilles and put back into homes, for the sake of themselves and the neighborhood surrounding them, which is seeming harbor animosity towards them. The only thing left to do is wait.

-SC

The future is in the cards.

 In times of trouble, people do things they may not do otherwise... One of them may include becoming a dealer. The steady decline of the economy has naturally created a steady increase of unemployed, leaving more people without jobs all across the spectrum. A variety of unemployed, from engineers to truck drivers are coming out to Colorado casinos in hopes of becoming dealers in craps, blackjack, roulette and poker. The casinos' income is important to the states, as "State governments often look to casinos as a quick source of tax income in difficult economic times. " Colorado also voted in a referendum to expand the betting limits at casinos from $5-$100.  The state is eager to rake in the cash the casino will make, and so are the soon-to-be-employed, as the salary is said to be $40,000 to $80,000 a year. If the choice falls between no job or dealing cards, the decision is easy. The unemployment is cyclical, yet somewhat structural. People are dealing with it though, as is Craig Taylor. "...you have to do what you have to do in this economy and make the adjustments to where the job you have pays the bills."  

-CH