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This might be the only "current events" post I ever do, but something has been puzzling me for the past 6-12 months.

Last night, I watched the last half of the democratic candidates' debate on TV, and although it wasn't mentioned much, there were still a couple of references to a "downward economy", and the need for "job growth", and such like that.

Now, I'm definitely not an economist, and I really, really don't have a clue of the advanced topics of the job market and all the politics involved with the world economy or anything like that...    ...but I don't think I'm stupid, either.

Today I was out and about running various errands around Springville and Spanish Fork.  While I was in Spanish Fork, I saw a frozen-foods van stop at a stop-light by me.  I looked over and read what was plastered all over the back of the vehicle, and not surprisingly at all, there was a "we're hiring" banner plastered there, which pretty much took up at least a quarter of the back-end of this truck.  (the photograph was taken after the stop-light)

After I saw that, and thought of what to blog about today, I thought "Holy cow!  The job market!"  So, I whipped out my handy-dandy cell-phone gadget which happens to have a camera on it, and started taking pictures of the places I was already going.

I kid you not, within 20 minutes, and within 5 city blocks, I took pictures of SEVEN LOCAL BUSINESSES WHO ARE ACTIVELY ADVERTISING THAT THEY NEED HELP.

I saw several more, but I wasn't in a place where a photograph could be taken easily while driving.

Now, I ask you, what does this tell me about the job market?  Well... Some things stand out as being fairly obvious.

1. If, while I'm not even looking for a job, I can go out and within 5 city blocks, find  seven businesses who need help to the extent they post it outside the store, that tends to tell me that places are trying to hire people, and there aren't enough people to fill the jobs.
2. It tells me if the job market really is "going downward" or "in a bad situation", then I plainly don't understand the least bit of economics.  However, I do know that as of July, 2007, Utah has a 2.7 unemployment rate, and I also know that  a 4% (approx.) unemployment rate means 100% employment.  So.... If Utah has over 100% employment rate (meaning everyone who wants to work, has a job), that we can't be doing that horribly.

I might be completely off-base and missing the bigger picture, but in my recent personal history, I haven't been that bad off, either.  From 3 years ago to today, I've received a 100% raise through 4 jobs.  I am a hard-worker, but I ain't anything special....   So, if I can do it, I'm fairly sure anyone out there who wants to, can make life work as the economy stands today.

Anyway... Enough of my babbling.

I guess I'm just having a hard time believing all the doom-and-gloom that the media is purporting about the economy and job-market recently.

Who knows... Maybe I'm wrong.