The economy is not bad in all parts of the country. Sure, the Northern cities near the auto factories and such are not doing well, but most other metropolitan areas are doing well. Small areas never do as well as larger areas. And of course, where there are a lot of lay offs, the economy will suffer. Houston and Atlanta always seem to do well no matter what the hell is going on everywhere else. Dallas-Ft.Worth area always seems to do well. As always in this trade: You have too go where the work is. So, if there isn't any work where you are, load up, hammer down. The trade has always been an adventure. That is what makes it so exciting.