The U.S. Economy is starting to improve!

While I agree that it is hard to make a living at minimum wage. The article points out that the stores are receiving a lot more applications than there are positions available. Many of the applicants haven't worked for many, many months. After years of high unemployment in the United States, with unemployment benefits getting reduced by many Republican Governor's, this announcement is very good news. Sales at McDonald's are improving which is an indication that the economy is recovering. Companies are shipping more goods with CSX, the 3rd largest rail carrier in the U.S. Unemployment numbers drop in 34 states in March and the Midwest and Northeast are leading. Home Sales surge 32% in Tampa Bay, Florida in March. Here in Tampa Bay, Wal Mart is expanding current stores into Super Centers and are building new stores. New businesses are starting at a growing rate. These are all good signs of economic growth.

Let's get U.S. Companies to bring jobs back to the United States. Watch the special report by Diane Sawyer about changing our buying habits and buy items made in America. I am told it will be a fascinating report! Subject MAY 1ST TO JUNE 1ST Did you see that Diane Sawyer has a special report coming up this week? They removed ALL items from a typical, middle class family's home that were not made in the USA . There was hardly anything left besides the kitchen sink. Literally. During the special they are going to show truckloads of items - USA made - being brought in to replace everything and will be talking about how to find these items and the difference in price etc.. It was interesting that Diane said that if every American spent just $64 more than normal on USA made items this year, it would create something like 200,000 new jobs! WAS BUYING FOOD THE OTHER DAY AT WALMART and ON THE LABEL OF SOME PRODUCTS IT SAID 'FROM CHINA' FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF THE MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN 'FROM CHINA ' I WAS SHOCKED SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS I BOUGHT THE LIBERTY GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE SINCE IT'S FROM CALIF. Are we Americans as dumb as we appear --- or --- is it that we just do not think while the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior and even toxic products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets? 70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended. Why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? DO IT YOURSELF, AMERICA!! Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without. Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some American farmer. Easter is just an example. The point is do not wait for the government to act. Just go ahead and assume control on your own. THINK ABOUT THIS: If 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!! Most of the people who have been reading about this matter are planning on implementing this on May 1st and continue it until June 1st. That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their American exports. Then they might have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it. Remember, MAY 1 TO JUNE 1st !!!!!! START NOW. Send this to everybody you know. Let's show them that we are Americans and NOBODY can take us for granted. If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives, WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET! Pass it on, America...... BUY AMERICAN !!!!!

It is strange that gas prices started to go up the on the very first day of the Lybia revolt even though Lybia doesn't produce Oil. Besides, current events shouldn't affect prices at the pump that quickly because the gas at the gas station has already been paid for by the gas station owners. The Oil Industry responded that events in the Middle East effect Oil "futures". That is still no excuse for Oil Companies to rise prices so quickly. Look at the earning statements of the major Oil Companies. They have continued to make RECORD PROFITS year after year. When they increase the gas prices at the pump, their profits go up even higher. The constant gas price increases are then passed on to consumers for everything else that they buy. The Government of every country should be demanding more regulation of the Oil Industry. Their continued greed is hampering economic growth! The Oil Industry isn't the only culprit but they are a good place to start.