I expressly said unemployment was better...not great. I own my own commercial millwork business here so I see that construction is up (thank God) and it is actually hard to get quality help here. Most people either left the area or left the construction market during the recession. Our margins are not what they were so I agree with you that it needs to get a lot better! I acknowledge that AZ was a player in defaults...it was crazy here in the early 2000's to the point you couldn't afford to buy in town and most younger or first time buyers bought in the far outskirts. This created another issue as they couldn't afford the commute IF they kept their jobs. cfljmljfl I hope you didn't read my response as all roses...I understand that the SS recipients are hurting. AZ is filled with them and it is a constant media play as it should be. I esp don't like the talk starting from gov't of SS as a "benefit" when we have paid in our entire lives for that RIGHT. As far as FNMA...My question to Yank still stands as how he can continually talk negative/hypothetical when it has shown to be a profitable company that had plenty of reserves and yet the gov't STILL takes all profits. Could we double dip the recession? Sure its possible. But how is NOT letting the GSE's recap and strengthen a good business/conservator-ship decision now? If it does dip we are guaranteed to need additional funds and that plays into the political reasons that they won't release IMO.