Sob - Your post has some merit, which, in part I will agree with. Especially liked your comment about being willing to do any work to put food on the table. I had an employee at one time who rephrased this as: "There is no shame in a pay check."

In Vegas, however, decent people who want work really do have a hard time finding it. Although I rarely visit fast food joints, I see older, bright and obviously intelligent, capable people working there now. Yes, many here are willing to flip burgers to make it.

I know many, many people who can't find anything; people I would personally vouche for. Local government is laying people off, which is significant as that bunch of flabby do-nothings are the last to feel things. They protect there own. Vegas was a 2 industtry town - construction and gaming. Construction has collpased and gaming is way down. Latest state statistics - taxable state revenue is down 24.1% !!! form last year. I lost my own business of 9 years. 60% of homeowners here are underwater. Housing has lost MINIMUM of 50% value. My accountant bought a second Vegas home in exclusive Lakes of Las Vegas (built around an artificial lake) for 850K in 2005. This same home is going now for 150-200K!!! He is walking away from it. My home would sell for 650K three years ago; now 300K. Up to 350K more foreclosures are forecast in the valley before Hell cools off. HIs wife has a costume design business producing apparel fot shows on the Strip. She has it billeted up until an order comes in.

Commercial real estate collpase is developing. New large commercial plazas and builidings have been vacant for over a year. The third largest mall in Vegas (Boulevard Mall) has 50% vacancy. My neighbor lost his commercial plumbing outfit of 10 years. Another neighbor distributes auto paint to body shops; down 50%. Eighty dental offices have closed in Vegas. One dental lab I know of has revenue down 60%
Another employed 11 peop two years ago, now has two.

I apprecitate that it is hard to believe, but some places just do not offer repolacement work. In the past,yes, one could always get a job in construction or with a casino. Tell me what I should tell those who lost work.

Leave and find a job where there is work?

They are already doing that.