"Go East young man (or woman)"

Pretty much for the last day or so, Google Blogger's server was down so no postings could be written since around noon-time, EST on May 12th. 

Now its working to a point where we're able to leave postings, though unfortunately it recently deleted the posts of all Google bloggers as of 8am on May 12th.  So the submissions of "Greece in photos" and the analysis of AP news' complete blatant lie saying their poll found people believing the economy was getting better when their own numbers proved the opposite, we're deleted.

But no obstacles, small or large, stops 'Ants & Grasshoppers'...

So here we go...

For those who were able to read yesterday's postings before they were pulled due to Google's incompetence, we pointed out that US companies want the US dollar as weak as possible so it can make larger profits in its exports.  And its focusing on overseas markets because the US consumer is completely tapped out between high credit card debts, stagnant wages and inability to use homes as piggy banks i.e. 2nd mortgages.

So what are these businesses doing to survive?

Focus abroad obviously ~

From TheStreet.com-- "Two retail giants, struggling at home, are hoping to have better luck overseas. Wal-Mart and Gap both announced expansion plans to their international business in the last 24 hours; Wal-Mart with the acquisition of a minority stake in a Chinese e-commerce company (Yihaodian), and Gap with the announcement that it is moving its brand into Serbia and the Ukraine."

"Wal-Mart has been aggressively expanding its international business, which includes Brazil, Japan and Mexico, as well as other markets. These overseas operations are expected to make up about 26% of Wal-Mart's total sales in fiscal 2011. But at home, Wal-Mart is grappling with seven consecutive quarters of sagging sales, and is poised to report another decline when it releases its first-quarter results next week. Domestic sales still account for about two-thirds of Wal-Mart's business.. .Gap is facing some similar issues, as its sales have lagged that of competitors."

~ As yourselves this question honestly--  if American businesses do not believe the nation is in recovery and can not depend on American consumers for its survival, are we Really in 'recovery' like the government and media say?  

Unemployment rates around the globe

A few weeks ago I posted that Spain's unemployment rate is over 21% and today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its monthly report saying "official" US unemployment is at 9%  (its really at 17% but Shhh... Shhh....)

So I was curious to see the most recent unemployment rate figures of other nations.  Because I do not know the interworkings of ever nation's Department of Labor, I can not state if or which nations doctor their numbers as is done in America.  So the following figures are the most accurate information I can provide...

Afghanistan- 35% as of March, 2011; yes 35 out of every 100 unemployed

Australia-  4.9% as of March, 2011-  that's a normal percentage

Austria- 4.8% as of February, 2011

Belgium- 7.6% as of February, 2011

Brazil-  6.5% as of February 2011, and their nation is really growing

Canada-  7.6% as of April, 2011

China- 4.1% as of late 2010; any surprise it will be #1 by 2016

Croatia- 19.3% as of March, 2011;  that's about 1 in 5

Egypt-  9.7% as of early 2011 before Mubarrak left

France-  9.5% as of April 2011; 2010 was 9.1% unemployed

Germany- 6.3% as of February, 2011

India- 10.8% as of early 2011; growing nation with expanding population

Ireland-  14.6% as of May, 2011; 1 in 7 out of work.. other 6 working for IMF

Italy- 8.6% as of January, 2011

Mexico- 5.38% as of February, 2011; with figures like that, you may start seeing 'gringos' rushing over the border for a job

Portugal- 11.2% as of January, 2011

Russia- 7.4% as of February, 2011

South Africa-  25% as of March, 2011; guess the World Cup didn't help

Spain-  21.3% as of April, 2011

United Kingdom-  7.8% as of February, 2011

United States-  9% as of May, 2011;  really 17% when counting the U-6 factors which are conveniently ignored (Kinda like saying only 9% of Americans are redheads by intentionally ignoring the other 8% from your calculations)

Vietnam-  2.9% as of March, 2011; guess that's what happens when a nation makes everything the rest of the world consumes

Zimbabwe- 95% as of early 2011; yes.. 95%.. 9 out of 10 jobless