Jobs are fleeing the country, headed for India and China. Not just manufacturing -- name an industry, they're all leaving, from the high-wage jobs like computer programming to the low-wage jobs like customer call center operator.
The stock market is in the toilet, yet it's still overpriced even though it's already in the toilet. There are no investments out there that I have been able to find which return a reasonable rate. (And are legal. And aren't scams.)
Taxes are going up-up-up everywhere I look. Ok, Bush gave me $300 back (thanks, dude), but King County wants to take that and more away. New gas tax, higher property tax, increased vehicle tax, and even some sort of special "software tax" which hasn't yet been explained to me in an understandable fashion.
Last year, prosperity was "just around the corner" every time a new report came out. This year, it's the same. We were supposed to be in a recovery by June 2001, then December, then 2Q02, and now companies are talking about maybe in 2003.
At this point, I am seriously considering the likelihood that we are in the same (or worse) boat as Japan -- deflation, unemployment, and stagnation for the foreseeable future.
Does anyone see ANY signs of hope??? Anyone???