Good U.S. News thread: 4-7-07 What is going positive for the U.S.?

[dmcowen674]

I was going to post this yesterday and was inspired to so so today.

With so many threads and things that are being criticised about what is going wrong in the U.S., I'd like to see what people consider as what is going well for the U.S. these days?

I will update the OP with links as they are posted.

Thanks in advance.

Also any questions for poll would be helpful too.


First Good news in:

From Chucky2 - Home prices down to sane levels
No Terror attack in U.S. since 911

Originally posted by: blackangst1
wow...I was kind of, well, literally stunned that you posted this Dave...all I can say is thank you. Although I think youre waaaaay out in left field on alot of issues, its nice to see you looking for positive stuff.

Although I'd like YOUR input...why do you love America?

The "100 top companies to work for" just came out, and its really impressive. Just in the top 10, there are so many different fields represented. And a few companies that were started by ordinary people with a dream. It's really quite a testiment of our country. Read the whole thing HERE

Here: a roundup of the top 10:
1. Google
2. Genentech
3. Wegmans Food Markets
4. Container Store
5. Whole Foods Market
6. Network Appliance
7. S.C. Johnson & Son
8. Boston Consulting Grp.
9. Methodist Hospital Sys.
10. W.L. Gore & Associates (GoreTex, not Mr Gore hehe)

Interesting that my first post coincides with the jobs report showing Google as the number one company to work for.

 

[dmcowen674]

Whether this happens or not it would still be a pretty amazing thing for middle America.

Remember the commerical a few years back where two guys were in the middle of no where and said imagine a data center here?

What commerical was that? I believe they were standing in the middle of Alabama.

Pryor is only about a half hour from where I live.

4-7-2007 Small-town Pryor Oklahoma getting some big hits - News that Google may build a data center has the town talking about other possibilities.

PRYOR - Googling "Pryor Oklahoma" will net about 1.29 million results in 0.28 seconds.

The news that the giant Internet search-engine company may build a data center at the MidAmerica Industrial Park also got a buzz going around Pryor in almost nothing flat Friday.

Residents just believe that their growing city is a better site for Google than everywhere else. And their excitement is hard to contain.

"Everybody's talking about it," Mayor Jimmy Tramel said. "You hope that it's true."

If so, the move would mark yet another significant success for the Mid- America park just outside of this city of 9,000. The 47-year-old industrial park has about 70 tenants.

A Gatorade plant that is expected to employ about 300 people is under construction, while J.B. Hunt, Air Products and other large employers already are in place.

"Good, clean and high-paying jobs -- that's what we're looking for," said MidAmerica Industrial Park administrator Sanders Mitchell. "That type of company draws attention."

Google hasn't made a final announcement, but plenty of locals already are in high-tech heaven over the prospective move.

Pryor officials negotiated with Google and other representatives for nearly a year, Mitchell added. This patience -- and the features that apparently make Mid-American Industrial Park so attractive -- is paying off.

"I think we've been the best-hidden secret in forever," Tramel said. "We've got low utility rates, great water, land you can build on, railroad accessible and great schools."

Tramel, who became a full-time mayor this past year, also sees Pryor's allure in its people. The community just built a new recreation center and showed its volunteer spirit in the thousands of volunteer hours racked up during January's ice storms.

"I think it's just the idea that we're progressive," he said. "We're willing to work with people."

 

[chucky2]

Well, the runaway housing market in the US has finally slowed down to sane levels. May seem trivial, but considering a home is the largest purchase most will ever make in their lifetime, and it usually takes a lifetime to get out from under that debt, this is a good thing. When a new 3 bedroom ranch costs $200,000 in the St. Louis, MO area, the housing market needs to be reigned in.

We haven't had another terror attack since 9/11. I think everyday that happens, is a day to be happy.

Chuck

 

[amish]

this is going to be a tough one i think. sensationalist news usually only focuses on the neg. i'll see if i can dig something up.

the google/oklahoma thing was pretty cool.

edit: ok, i found one. jobless rate falls to five-year low. granted, there will probably be an adjustment later on that shows that it isn't a new low, but its something nice for the time being.

 

[blackangst1]

wow...I was kind of, well, literally stunned that you posted this Dave...all I can say is thank you. Although I think youre waaaaay out in left field on alot of issues, its nice to see you looking for positive stuff.

Although I'd like YOUR input...why do you love America? (Nevermind you added your input while I was typing this)

Me? In spite of all the bickering and whining about the US job market, this is the BEST country in the world to work. Period. Im not talking about the rich, but everyone. The fact is, in a democracy we are not equal, nor should we be. That fact is rewarded by great employment if you are willing to leave your comfort zone and explore whats out there.

The "100 top companies to work for" just came out, and its really impressive. Just in the top 10, there are so many different fields represented. And a few companies that were started by ordinary people with a dream. It's really quite a testiment of our country. Read the whole thing HERE

Here: a roundup of the top 10:
1. Google
2. Genentech
3. Wegmans Food Markets
4. Container Store
5. Whole Foods Market
6. Network Appliance
7. S.C. Johnson & Son
8. Boston Consulting Grp.
9. Methodist Hospital Sys.
10. W.L. Gore & Associates (GoreTex, not Mr Gore hehe)


(edit: spelling and other cr@p...still on first cup of coffee)

 

[1EZduzit]

Good news, it's come to my attention that I no longer going to have to pound nails with my head. 🙂😉🙂

 

[slash196]

Originally posted by: amish
this is going to be a tough one i think. sensationalist news usually only focuses on the neg. i'll see if i can dig something up.

the google/oklahoma thing was pretty cool.

edit: ok, i found one. jobless rate falls to five-year low. granted, there will probably be an adjustment later on that shows that it isn't a new low, but its something nice for the time being.

Oh good, our unemployment is as good as it was back when we were in the throes of economic recession!

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: slash196

Originally posted by: amish
this is going to be a tough one i think. sensationalist news usually only focuses on the neg. i'll see if i can dig something up.

the google/oklahoma thing was pretty cool.

edit: ok, i found one. jobless rate falls to five-year low. granted, there will probably be an adjustment later on that shows that it isn't a new low, but its something nice for the time being.

Oh good, our unemployment is as good as it was back when we were in the throes of economic recession!

Or as low, depending how pessimistic you see things 🙂

 

[ProfJohn]

The economic news is the best.
Despite the problems in the housing market the economy is doing good.
If spring brings the housing market back we could see the start of another expansionary period.

Over all things on the home front are going VERY well. Crime is still low almost every where. Have not been a lot of economic scandals ala Enron/World Com etc.

Take away the war on terror and the country is probably in as good of shape as it has ever been. The five years of the budget surplus would be the only years that can compare.