Rick,
Don't get down hearted mate, it's simply market forces at plan. Easy need to play that way in order to survive, and as we sit at the bottom of the food chain, we are the first to be cut out.
Give it a year or 18 months, and I'll bet things will be very diferent, and with all the doom and gloom around, I'm sure it'll put a good few wannabies off the idea too.
The good time will be back whatever this forum thinks.
PS