Bye and Bye

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our national unemployment rate is at 8.5%. Over 5 million jobs have been lost since the beginning of the recession. What’s unbelievable is that in the last five months alone, 3.3 million jobs have been lost. Women are doing better than men. Whites are doing better than blacks. The under 20 set is getting hammered regardless of gender or race.

Thank goodness Michigan State has clawed its way through March Madness and has made it to the big show because there’s not much to cheer about in Michigan these days. Their unemployment rate is at nearly 10%. With the restructuring of the car companies, I think we ain’t seen nothing yet. Their state motto, though, is kind of comforting: “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.” So, if you’ve lost your job, at least you can get on out there and enjoy the scenery.

The place to be is Wyoming. Their unemployment rate is at 3.2%. Ah, if I had only studied forestry, mining or tourism. Or learned to ski! Wyoming’s motto is: “Equal Rights.” Not very catchy, but I kind of see where they are going.

The state of Washington is below the national average. We’re currently sitting at 6.4%. Our major businesses include jets, software development, electronics and biotechnology. We also do our fair share of forestry, mining and tourism. Our state motto is: "Eventually," or "Bye and bye." That’s a pretty laidback motto. Fitting, really, for the Pacific Northwest.

Let me try it out. Eventually, we’ll all find work we love. Eventually, we’ll be able to build back our retirement accounts. Eventually the recession will end.

Works for me.