Economy

[Extra Point]

We don't make stuff in the US anymore. Real goods means real money. Only so many people can make money shuffling paper debt or in a service related capacity.

Publicly traded corporations have their stocks upgraded or downgraded based on earnings expectations. Who does the grading? Banks. The bulk of the corporations are still generating income. The primary stockholders (the ones that can sell their options, buying company stock at a huge discount vs market price) are the ones the most influence on employment. Those folks' discounted stock price comes at the expense of those who are employed at the corporation.

Check the board of directors of most the corporations, and you'll find that they hold a board seat at other corporations. Many, many, people are losing jobs because of the choice few that hold those seats of companies that still can earn income will full work forces in those companies.

So far as you personally, LiL stumppy, there's no shame in attending trade school in lieu of college, and there's no shame in joining the military.