Dow Job Cuts

Up Earning$$

The reason we all live in this mosquito-infested, humid as-all-get-out spot on the map -- ie., the existence of the mighty Dow Chemical Co. -- makes a little more sense today now that the company is reporting some fantabulous economic news.

What we're talking about is a sharp rise in earnings.

The Company's net income has increased 65 percent over last year -- a whole lot better than any of the soothsayers on Wall Street (in New York City) had predicated.

How come?

Cost cutting, diversification, better pricing, reveals The Wall Street Journal.

In the cost-cutting category, Dow has whacked 2,300 jobs.

There's only a couple thousand more jobs to eliminate before Dow reaches its ultimate cost-cutting target.

Dow shares increased $1.80 on Thursday, leading executives at its Freeport plant to pass out free cupcakes to rank and file employees. Light banter also was exchanged between management and blue collar workers.

The atmosphere, confided one employee, "is sort of like when we rope off the parking lot for the skimmer birds every year. Ever-one's just got a pie-eatin' grin on -- even the pipefitters."