I am a programmer/software consultant, and also self employed. My "jobs" are often done in my house, but the work could be anywhere in the USA, so I am not as geographically affected by this as some people are.
Also here locally, things are not as bad as elsewhere. I agree with Ago, prices have been pushed down.
I also think that if you think this economy is bad, you are too young to remember the Nixon/Carter years. We have it made compared to then.