Maggie

There's Unemployment ... And Then There's Unemployment

Through my experience, I've seen that many of the people who have been off the unemployment rolls for a long time have given up on finding a 9-5 job, and have become busy selling products online, at large fleamarkets, doing odd maintenance and landscaping jobs, babysitting, housecleaning, etc.

In my town alone - and it is small - there are hundreds of people selling on ebay. For these people this is either their sole source of income or at least an important supplement. And yes, some do these things to supplement their government benefits.

The rise in unemployment will cause many of these "underground entrepreneurs" to fail in their efforts since the demand for their products and services will be decreased. In fact, as unemployment runs out - many people will attempt to find alternative means of making money themselves. This will cause a great imbalance in supply and demand, worsening the situation.

It's frightening to think that this economy has been functioning on a precarious balance between those who work buying products and services from those who can't. When too many of those who can work have no jobs available the balance is upset and widespread poverty could prevail.