Ever wonder how bad tends to bring out the worst. Such is the theme for the day. Apparently, it isn't bad enough that the available job pool from which American workers have to choose from is smaller than ever; a slew of complaints suggests that some companies are using the slumped economic situation to low ball wages and play the carrot on a stick game. Getting a bargain in slow times is one thing but simply using the economic downturn as a way to exploit American workers is just plain wrong. What exploitation you ask?

How about raising the bar on already non-standard job qualifications for the jobs that are available. It's true. Now, all of the sudden, in certain industries such as transportation and retail, job seekers are finding that job requirements for even entry level jobs are out of reach or otherwise just unrealistic. In fact, many recruiters of various industries across the country are witnessing what they call employers being "picky" in the selection process. Moreover, apparently they are being picky about factors that have little or nothing to do with a given job itself. As a matter of fact, so much so, that it has taken on a name of its own referred to a - wish list. As for the wish list it has more to do with the perception that there now exists this pool of well qualified candidates without jobs who are so desperate for work that they will take any wage. Thus, some companies are holding out for this perfect "bird in the bush" candidate when ready to work candidates are right there at their doorstep. Now, combine that with the fact that mainstream media circulates stories about American workers not wanting to work and not wanting this job or that job and there you have it - the American worker is set up as the "fall guy". No matter how you twist or turn it, this is just plain unethical and immoral.

Now this type of chess game behavior is not typical of Fortune 500 companies but more so small medium sized businesses that may be experiencing financial hardship. As a way of dealing with that hardship the American worker gets the short end of the stick. Now here comes another twist. You constantly hear about how government encroachment into the private sector is unwanted and unnecessary yet it is the private sector that is playing monopoly with the livelihood of American workers. Not the Feds. On the contrary, it is the government that has stepped up to the plate and is working to revive the economy and a sense of stability for American workers i.e. Washington's green energy initiative. The bottom line is that if capitalism, as we know it, is to survive, it is time to change our way of thinking and realize everything has limits especially capitalizing on the severe hardships of American workers who has no fault in the downturn. Moreover, for every action there is a reaction. The question is, are we as a country ready to deal with the reaction of exploiting the American worker for the gain of a few? A few who already "have" on top of that.