12,500,000

No, this isn't how much a Powerball ticket is worth this weekend. It is the number of people who are unemployed in this country as of last month. 651,000 jobs were cut in February. Continuing a steep drop that raised the country's unemployment rate to 8.1 percent, the highest its been since 1983. Since December 2007, 4.4 million people have lost a job.

12.5 million is more than the number of:
- people watching ABC's "Lost" this season
- women attending college
- male scientists and engineers
- Americans who grow herbs
- people who played tackle football in the past year.

Companies eliminating jobs since February include:
Construction companies eliminated 104,000 jobs
Factories cut 168,000 jobs
Retailers sliced nearly 40,000
Professional and Business services got rid of 180,000
Financial companies reduced payrolls by 44,000
Leisure and hospitality firms chopped 33,000 positions

Government and Health Care Service jobs have seen a big boost in employees.

--Looking at these numbers and facts, I've noticed that I am one of them. I am currently without a job because I was one of those Construction workers that got laid off. It stinks! I can't collect unemployment because I was paid under the table. So here I am almost 25 years old and unable to find a job because no one will hire an Orthopedic Tech without experience. I keep filling out applications and sending my resume to different companies but never hear anything back. It's a depressing time right now. I hate having to ask for handouts and for help. All I really need is prayer and the strength not to get too sick and worried over this. There are plenty of people in this country who have a family to support, and are without work. My thoughts are with them! Hopefully this recession will end soon. Obama said he'd help! He better get on it.