More companies announce layoffs, all but three brave Republican senators vote against
stimulus bill, while other employers mull cutting hours -- not workers.
It seems clear to everyone except some in Washington (and perhaps other parts of the land)
that the U.S. is in dire need of real change -- in terms of an economic and psychological
stimulus package that could save or create millions of jobs. Why vote against something
like that -- even if it is bigger than we ever imagined? How did Iraq qualify for all those
millions in stimulus money all these last couple of years while the U.S. qualifies for none?
It's a strange world -- and the ones who are getting hurt are the American people.
We can pay for a foreign war and reconstruction, but not fix our own country?
A sign of just how bad times are getting? Even Wal-Mart announced it will cut some jobs --
mostly corporate (about 700-800). Meanwhile, it was GM that again made the biggest
news, announcing another round of cuts -- this time close to 10,000. Qwest also
announced job cuts of about 1,700, while Rockwell Collins is cutting 600 jobs.
Late yesterday, Nike also announced possible cuts of up to 1,400 jobs.
Meanwhile, there are ongoing reports of all types of employers -- big and large
companies as well as local and state governments -- that are cutting worker
hours and shortening work weeks in an attempt to save money -- and save jobs.
While, workers face a short-term cut in pay, at least they still will have a job.
Some HR folks, though, think the practice could lead to reduced morale and the
possibility of some workers taking second jobs to compensate for the lost income,
causing them to lose focus on their primary jobs.
