I understand the point you're trying to make, but are those people making their mortgage payments by not working at all, despite being ABLE to work?

The point is not that "good jobs" are available. the point is that people saying THERE ARE NO JOBS are full of shit. There are jobs. period and end.

I totally get what you're trying to say, Aisha. Those people you know are stuck in a shitty position where there aren't any jobs IN THEIR PROFESSION. But there are jobs. That's all I'm saying. Sure, they may be shit jobs like bussing, flipping burgers, working manual labor with a lawn/garden company, wading through shit at a dairy farm or spending hours doing nothing but punching and binding note books. They may not give these people what they need, and they certainly will not give someone who was making six figures the lifestyle they grew used to. but they are better than nothing, and they are CERTAINLY better than sitting on your ass feeling sorry for yourself (I'm not saying this is what your friends are doing).

As for where, that does become part of the problem, particularly in small towns. I have a friend who can't get a job not because she's not qualified to work or because she isn't trying...there is just no job she's physically capable of performing in her town and she can't afford to go to other towns to work. And she also is in a situation where she can't just up and move. But, IMO, those are the people that need help. Not people who are capable of moving their families where jobs are. yes, I know that is rough on families. So is bankruptcy and debt.