WASHINGTON, DC - In April 20,000 more people dropped off of the payrolls. The good news is that wasn’t nearly as bad as many experts were predicting. Still, hundreds of thousands of Americans remain out of work, and their prospects of finding a job keep getting worse.

It’s hard to read anything good in this week’s numbers when there are twice as many unemployed workers as there are available jobs.

In just the last week General Motors laid off 3,500 workers and Home Depot closed 15 stores. Worst hit last month were construction contractors, with 61,000 jobs lost.

We were riding the wave and all of a sudden it slammed us to the bottom. People are saying something about a recession might come. To me we’re in one.- Bob Kriha, Contractor

Manufacturers slashed 46,000 jobs in April, retailers 27,000. The only thing propping up the economy are small job gains in government, education and health care.

It’s turning into a tsunami across the entire country - Sen Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota (D)

Home Depot closed 15 stores last month.

But the President Bush is far more optimistic. Speaking in front of an audience of technology workers he asked them to be patient, "this economy is going to come on, I’m confident."

That can’t happen fast enough for those out of work. There are now 7.6 million Americans unemployed, fighting for only 3.6 million available jobs.

For those who are working the safety net is disappearing. Between 2000 and 2007, the difference between lost income and increased expenses cost american families $5,739 a year. Things are expected to be worse in 2008, because companies that aren’t cutting jobs are cutting hours, especially overtime.

The president promises the tax rebates wil help, but for many Americans, that money is already spent….

Related:
Rebate checks are on their way…. and already spent. (ThroughTheTube)