As bad as things may be...

We've been hurt enough over the past few years as Dell and semiconductor manufacturers have closed plants and fabs... But at least here in Central Texas we can at least be glad it isn't worse... we could be in MI...

Michigan Lost 80,000 Manufacturing Jobs Over Past Year
http://search.sys-con.com/node/1313314

While most of us aren't directly employed in manufacturing... such job losses are usually accompanied by even larger percentage wise losses amongst supporting professions such as IT, and felt by everyone in those communities as salaries shrink, government services are overwhelmed and the good people flee to elsewhere.