The Economy....

[MrSplitshot]

Companies have learned how to maintain (or do more) with fewer people...and you are right - It is helping the bottom line. The problem is that business owners are afraid to invest those bottom line profits into expansion, because they are afraid that the government is going to find ways to take more of those profits away from them through taxes, Obamacare, etc. Right now, a lot of them are just sitting on cash...waiting for a rainy day to come when they will need it.

Uncertainty.

[DJD]

Companies have learned how to maintain (or do more) with fewer people...and you are right - It is helping the bottom line. The problem is that business owners are afraid to invest those bottom line profits into expansion, because they are afraid that the government is going to find ways to take more of those profits away from them through taxes, Obamacare, etc. Right now, a lot of them are just sitting on cash...waiting for a rainy day to come when they will need it.

Uncertainty.

So true....the commercial construction market (IMO) has picked up, especially in my area. Hospitals, banks and schools are the majority of our business. We have hired temp folks more than full time because of not knowing if this increase in construction will keep up. We as most, cannot find that comfort level with this administration. The healthcare bomb hasn't exploded yet so who knows what that will do??
I still maintain that any uptick in construction has been accomplished in spite of the administration not because of it.

[Bill M of NJ]

My area superstorm Sandy put some to work, but its temporary at best.