There seem to be higher rates available for consulting

I have been in the software consulting business since the early 1990's. Rates peaked for me in 2000-2001. After a precipitous plunge following September 11th, rates have gradually recovered. I just saw a Monster job posting that listed rates in the $55-$65 an hour range, with some specific skills required. This is just another instance that proves the naysayers wrong, when they said that rates would never recover to their levels, prior to 2001.