It is scary to see how many jobs are at a loss in our economy. I think that would be an awesome thing if the private sector would start hiring considering that the public sector is getting rid of jobs. I feel like it would probably not fix our economic problem but it would stablize it. The state the economy is in right now is scary but I just keep thinking to myself that it has to go up at some point!

I agree with Jing, "it is possible but unlikely" that the private sector will hire employees back. They do not have the motivation or the backing to make moves based on trying to better the economy or emotionally attached decisions. The companies in the private sector just make employee decisions based on whether it will better their company. I also dont think the government will lay off a significant portion of their employees and the private sector will ride this downturn out with the help of government stimulus's; but they may be riding it out for awhile.

It is scary to see how many jobs are at a loss in our economy. I think that would be an awesome thing if the private sector would start hiring considering that the public sector is getting rid of jobs. I feel like it would probably not fix our economic problem but it would stablize it. The state the economy is in right now is scary but I just keep thinking to myself that it has to go up at some point!

I am from Puyallup and back in June when he wrote this they talked about cutting a whole elementary school to save money! They ended up cutting back on other things instead. Also, I know of many junior highs that are cutting all sports. I understand these times are tuff but "children are the future" and if there programs are being cut then what will happen in years to come? I understand that things need to change but maybe cutting education is not the best way to save a few dollars.

Many people are at risk of losing their jobs with the current economy. With all of the budget cuts for public programs many public employees are going to be losing their jobs. I agree with Alysha that cutting educational programs is not the way; we may save a few dollars in the short run, but only suffer in the long run. If the children are not being educated properly we will never be able to turn the economy around. I also agree that it is highly unlikely that the private sector will be hiring these public employees that have been laid off. It is a nice idea but very unrealistic.

Doesn't seem like it will get any better. My roommates sister hasn't been to school in the last 2 weeks since there is a teachers strike. My uncle who has 20+ yrs of mechanical experience is having a hard time finding a decent paying job and now has to work an entry level position. As previously mentioned, it seems people don't have much disposable income so people aren't spending anything anymore. Hopefully, Obama in the next coming months can think of something to boost the economy.

There is a reason public instituitions are being given so much stimulus money to keep them afloat. Without them this country could not continue to operate. As the author stated, the stimulus money is temporary. It is in the hope that the economy will pick up that this money has been doled out. Our economy always fluxuates and I hope that by the time the stimulus money runs out this country will be back on its feet.

As the economy has churned through this downswing it seems as though the layoffs have started to lessen, as the article was saying. However, these state budget cuts have been seen a little too close to home for us at Washington State University. We witnessed a few programs get cut and I believe some staff members may have been laid off. I hope that this stimulus money can help us stay afloat until we get to that next level where we can handle ourselves once again.

I agree with Allysha that the children are our future and it is unfair to take away opportunities from them. I know things are extremely difficult right now but we need to find a way to stabalize employment at schools. One bad example is the Kent school district. Teachers at every school in the district were on strike for over a week! This delayed the start date for every school in the district and will be a huge inconveince to deal with throughout the year. The teachers initially went on strike because they are the lowest paid school district in the state while some teachers are forced to instruct classes of up to 45 students. The teachers were asking for there to be a cap on class size, which seems like a reasonable request. The burden from the harsh economy should not be put on the teachers shoulders.

I agree with some of the previous posts. I understand that these are difficult economic times and many people with before stable careers are now faced with the constant fear of losing their jobs. Yet, it scares me a great deal that some teachers are some of those that have to be the most worried as these are the people we depend on to educate our children. Education is essential to a successful future, and it is not something that should be taken lightly. I as well as everyone else have seen the cuts in education staff, including the principal and counselor at my high school, which happened to be two of the most influential men in our school district. I can’t imagine my high school career without them, and the guidance they gave me. It scares me to think that they will not be there to help my sister, and well as many others going through our small school. I don’t have an answer to what areas should be cut if need be, but I will say that educators would be some of the last people I want to see go, and it scares me to see this constantly happening.

The trailing effects of public sector budgets will serve to accentuate economic shifts. First we will experience an echo from the recession, then a public sector bubble after the private market kicks into gear.