>>We just had a job offering for Southern California for VFP programmers – at $28 an hour or about one half what it takes to support a family.
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>I'm sorry WHAT? $58,000 a year won't make you rich... but, you don't need to live in a 5000 sq foot house and drive a BMW either. DAMN, I am glad I don't live in SO california or I'd be living in a car I guess.
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>I think part of the problem is so many people in this country live ABOVE their means, are loaded with debt cause they bought things they HAD to have then put them in their garage.
>
>BOb

Bob;

I think greed is the biggest factor out here. The price of a house in my neighborhood for a fixer upper is going at $720,000, 1200 square feet on a 6500 square foot lot, 45-year-old house. Typical. Rent is still high in Silicon Valley (the highest in the nation according to the news) even though vacancies are running over 8%, an all time high. They just raised our rent. Unemployment at over 9% hurts. After you receive your last unemployment check you are no longer unemployed – officially. I have many friends who have been out of work for two years (IT programmers and SQA) who look for work every day. Tell them they are not unemployed.

Southern California is a little cheaper to live. However, the employment scene, wages, taxes and the State Government falling apart paint a poor picture.

A report last week stated, “The majority of new millionaires will be in San Jose, California this year”! Something stinks. Some blame the unemployed. Blame whom you please – it does not help solve the problems.

I was born in San Francisco, and there were about 3.5 million people in California at the time. That was 1942. Today we have over 35 million. Projections are we will have 40 million by 2010. Even though my family has lived in San Francisco since 1846, I want to leave. Now I have to wait for our daughter to finish two more years of college.

I think I will keep a smile on my face and keep a positive outlook. If you are employed you “have no problems”. If you are not working then you are a statistic.

The latest facts - Silicon Valley produces 25% of the nations exports. California produces almost 50% of the nations produce. Kick out the flat land oreigners and we will have a much smaller population. Oh well, I can dream I guess! :)

At a party recently I said, "Anyone less than 4th generation San Franciscan should leave the state"! The person sitting next to me said, "I am fifth generation"! I guess I have to leave! :)

Tom