Daria, I couldn't agree with you more that the current jobs report offers a dismal outlook for growth and further solidifies the possibility that the economy is stalling out. As a government worker, I am familiar too with frozen wages, cutbacks, and furlough days. The only thing I have to disagree with is the "over-regulation" of private sector businesses. Over the last 10 years, I have seen no change in the management mentality towards its workers. Simply put, in both public and private sector, it has been a "if you dont like it, theres the door" concept for well over a decade. This, compounded with profit over productivity or improvement of work conditions has contributed to our current state of affairs. When companies make shoddy products, disregard regulations, and excercise wanton disregard the backlash is further regulation. Self governance doesnt work....simply put, the fox cant guard the henhouse. There has to be a balance, and when business, both public and private demonstrates a willingness to obey and play by the rules, then I might be inclined to relax regulations. Until then, they've created the soup they are in, so why shouldn't they feel the pain too. Thats the elephant in the room that doesnt get talked about. They've gotten their economic relief through TARP etc. Now it is time for the common man to get some.