- All forms of self-employment in the U.S. are in virtual
free fall now. Small businesses are failing in vast numbers creating even
more jobless Americans thrust into the quest for the security of wage-
based employment with benefits for themselves and their families.
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- Always a difficult field to compete in because of the
growing avalanche of massive imports via cheap foreign labor ('free trade')
and distributed through big box chain outlets with King Wal-Mart ruling
the roost, and the deep loss of disposable capital in the public sector,
U.S. self-employment is headed toward its worst level ever. All forms are
being impacted, from stand alone small business retail and service storefronts
to home-based product or service outlets to internet based independent
sales ventures and multi-level marketing. All are in their steepest decline
in 16 years and are expected to plumb new depths in the coming months and
the foreseeable future.
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- US Self-Employment in a Steep Downturn - Source Bureau
of Labor Statistics / Merril Lynch (shaded region represents period of
US recession)
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