AP's Economic Stress Index shows where the Great Recession is hurting the most

The Associated Press has recently come out with a new tool called the "Economic Stress Index" that graphically shows by county what areas of the country are experiencing (comparatively) the toughest times.

Parts of California, the Midwest (Indiana & Michigan), and Arizona are some of the hardest hit spots in the country.

The map, which is updated monthly, is available at the AP's website

The Recession is Global

According to the writers at UPI the recession and levels of unemployment are reaching levels not seen since the Great Depression.

"This is the worst we've had since 1929," Laurent Wauquiez, France's employment minister, told the Times. "The thing that is new is that it is global, and we are always talking about that. It is in every country, and it makes the whole difference."

The International Monetary Fund said it expects that by the end of the year, global economic growth will reach its lowest point since the Depression.

Officials say the situation is creating social unrest, with high unemployment rates leading to protests in such countries as Latvia, Chile, Greece, Bulgaria and Iceland, and contributing to strikes in Britain and France.

South Carolina's Governor thoughts on the economy

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is on CNN discussing unemployment and the stimulus package.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2009/02/08/mmark_sanford_were_closing_in.html

Jobless Rate Compared to Prior recessions

Time Magazine has published a chart that Nancy Pelosi's office had put together to show the rate of job losses for the past 6 recessions.

It looks like the percent of job lost should surpass the 1981 recession in a few more months. I also believe that if you would take into account the broader unemployment rate (including people working part-time while wanting full time work---This chart would show that the current recession is worse than any we've seen in the last 30 years.

Recession helps the Army meet its recruiting goals

With unemployment edging higher, the military is having an easier time recruiting new soldiers and retaining the ones they currently have.