Nashville one of 10 most unhappiest cities in America: suicide rate, unemployment, divorces feed bad tune in Music City as recession deepens

In a remarkable article, BusinessWeek has compiled the top 10 unhappiest cities in America. And Nashville-Davidson County ranks No. 8.

Here is the profile:

8. Nashville-Davidson, Tenn.
Overall rank: 8
Depression rank: 4
Suicide rank: 26
Crime (property and violent) rank: 8
Divorce rate rank: 8
Cloudy days: 156
Unemployment rate (December 2008): 6%

The ranking makes sense. And it matches what I have been hearing from clergy, including Father Joe Pat Breen of St. Edward Catholic Church.

A week ago, he told his congregation of the growing anger he is feeling from people who feel betrayed, have been laid off and lost so much of their savings and retirement funds in the stock market.

NewsChannel 5 had a remarkable report about at least 30 tent cities that have popped around Nashville.

Small layoffs are mounting beneath the radar screen. I hear about someone being laid off everyday.

Music City is going through some very unmelodious times that are not going to get better anytime soon. The potential closing of the Spring Hill, TN., plant will only make matters worse.

The Nashville ranking is quite shocking and should be a warning to city and law enforcement leaders.

Unhappiness can manifest itself in many negative ways that will endanger the security and welfare of all.

Here is the top 10:

1. Portland, Ore.

2. St. Louis

3. New Orleans

4. Detroit

5. Cleveland

6. Jacksonville, Fla.

7. Las Vegas

8. Nashville-Davidson, Tenn.

9. Cincinnati

10. Atlanta