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Reporter's Note: Before he took office, President Obama invited Americans to give him advice on running the country. My advice is taking the form of a letter a day to the White House.
Tom Foreman | Bio
AC360° Correspondent

Dear Mr. President,

Did you ever hear this joke during the Bush presidency? “I know George Bush is creating jobs, because I’ve got three of them!”

I’ve said before that any of us who have jobs now should be grateful, but there is a down side to all the downsizing, even for those who keep their paychecks coming. Many people are working harder than ever before; sometimes at two or three jobs in different places; and sometimes at two or three jobs right where they stand. Because even though there are fewer workers in the office anthills, the bosses still want the same amount of work accomplished. So you can walk through all sorts of businesses and collect the stories of lone workers doing the jobs that used to be covered by two, three, or four other people.

Invariably, when I meet such folks, they quickly say they are glad to be employed. But then they sigh, slump a little, and say they certainly hope the economy picks up soon, because they’re getting tired. Between longer commutes, growing hours on the job, more competition for each position, e-mails, Blackberries, and the sense of being constantly “on call” like an ER doctor; many gainfully employed people seem to be struggling in their own way with our economic problems.

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