Obama’s 8.1% Funhouse Mirror...

[Michie]

Do you know anyone who has been seeking work in the last several months, and has suddenly found openings? Since hardly any jobs were added to the economy in April, your answer is probably “no.” I know mine is. And yet, the headlines are blaring that unemployment is down to 8.1%! So, no jobs to speak of are being added...

Obama’s 8.1% Funhouse Mirror...

 

[AMDG]

When folks get so tired of looking for employment that they just give up, those that make those umemployment lists simply don't bother counting them as unemployed anymore. (I guess Obama just says "hurray, the unemployment rate is going down!" not figuring that there are some people who realize this.)

The elite in Washington D.C. also don't seem to realized that when a person is unable to find a job, the unemployment rate for them is 100%. If they did, IMO, they wouldn't be falsifying the rate (to make it seem better than it is) and certainly wouldn't be celebrating.

 

[KatherineS]

I guess Obama just says "hurray, the unemployment rate is going down!" not figuring that there are some people who realize this.

Disagree with the President's policies if you want, but this irrational hatred towards him simply leads many of us to one conclusion.

Anyway, Barack doesn't sit down at his desk and decide "Gee, Michelle, let's not count those not looking for work as I figure out these numbers here on my I-pad."

This is that way the professional statisticians at the Department of Labor have always measured unemployment, from Administration to Administration.

But some can't just cool their personal hatred enoiugh to see that.

 

[Vasallus]

Please prove that's the way it's always been done. I don't believe that for a second. The real unemployment rate is closer to 15%.

 

[SharonL]

Washington's fuzzy math - I have no faith in anything that is put out - they will adjust it before the week is over thinking people will have forgotten the number. They have done it for the past 19 weeks. They don't have a clue how many people are out of work.

 

[OpenDoor]

Please prove that's the way it's always been done. I don't believe that for a second. The real unemployment rate is closer to 15%.

After 9 months those that are unemployed are no longer factored into the unemployment rate. If you consider underemployment (those who are technically employed but hardly working/making any money) the percent would go up.

If I may use myself as an example. I am a college graduate working two (sometimes three jobs) making less than $20,000 a year. According to the government I am employed and not factored into the unemployment rate.

 

[KatherineS]

Please prove that's the way it's always been done. I don't believe that for a second. The real unemployment rate is closer to 15%.

BLS Handbook of Methods: Ch. 1: Labor Force, Employment, and Unemployment from the Current Population Survey

<roll eyes in amazement>

 

[Vasallus]

There is NOTHING there to support your claim.
<roll eyes in disgust>

 

[Fantine]

According to MSNBC, the private sector is adding jobs but the public sector is shedding jobs. This is due to conservative governors like Scott Walker and Chris Christie, who are firing state employees and making life miserable for the ones who remain. They are union busting, reducing medical benefits, freezing or reducing wages.

So let's look at this logically. The private sector is already adding jobs...they don't need tax cuts....

And budget cutting will cause the public sector to lay off more and more and more workers.

Obviously tax cuts will be more harmful to employment than the Obama plan.

 

[Vasallus]

According to MSNBC, the private sector is adding jobs but the public sector is shedding jobs. This is due to conservative governors like Scott Walker and Chris Christie, who are firing state employees and making life miserable for the ones who remain. They are union busting, reducing medical benefits, freezing or reducing wages.

So let's look at this logically. The private sector is already adding jobs...they don't need tax cuts....

And budget cutting will cause the public sector to lay off more and more and more workers.

Obviously tax cuts will be more harmful to employment than the Obama plan.

Which jobs did Walker and Christie cut? How many? How do you know life is miserable for the remaining workers? Did you talk to them?

And obviously tax cuts will be good for everyone.

 

[Fantine]

Actually, I have a friend who is a widow and a state employee in NJ. She was a teacher for many years. She is in her 60's and needs to work. She got some state job that involves lots of data entry and the increased quotas are practically giving her a NBD. She skips lunch, she skips breaks. She gets a roll in the morning on the way to work and eats it at her desk.

Governor Christie, it seems, has made her office a sweatshop.

 

[Vasallus]

And with sooooo many other unsubstantiated claims, why in the world would anyone believe this? You have more anecdotal "evidence" than 10 infomercials.

 

[AMDG]

According to MSNBC, the private sector is adding jobs but the public sector is shedding jobs.

First, "Stop the presses----a totally biased news source (that has really bad ratings because of it--think it may have all of 15 viewers) has come to this conclusion".

Actually, it's not about "us vs them" (even though one wants the job rate in the private sector to increase more than in the bloated public sector--helps to have a little fiscal responsiblity) not enough jobs were generated for the population growth but the sole reason for the imagined drop is that the people who have just given up looking for jobs are no longer counted. Count them (and those who are severly underemployed) and the unemployment rate soars again. And of course, for one unemployed, the unemployment rate is 100%--the made up "official" numbers are meaningless.

 

[Fantine]

She was one of my bridesmaids. We grew up together in NY.

A person laid off in the public sector is just as unemployed as a person laid off in the private sector. Because people in the public sector are often long-term career employees, they may be much older, and may have a much more difficult time finding new jobs.

There is no reason to cheer when public sector employees lose their jobs--it hurts the economy just as much.

 

[Vasallus]

Uh huh.

 

[Needing_Grace]

Uh huh.

Your disdainful attitude speaks volumes about what underlies Republican ideology.

Sent from my iPhone using CF

 

[Vasallus]

Your disdainful attitude speaks volumes about what underlies Republican ideology.

Sent from my iPhone using CF

1. If you pay attention, I'm not a republican.
2. My attitude speaks volumes about the hundreds of pieces of anecdotal evidence used by this poster to make a point.

 

[Needing_Grace]

1. If you pay attention, I'm not a republican.
2. My attitude speaks volumes about the hundreds of pieces of anecdotal evidence used by this poster to make a point.

Fascinating.

I spoke to attitudes and ideologies, not persons. Get over yourself.

There is an underlying belief that people who disagree with Republicanism/modern conservatism (an ideology mixing the incompatible ideas of Christian morality and Ayn Rand economic libertarianism) must be lying or working to some sinister and nefarious purposes. There is almost a universal contempt for non-conservatives or anyone considered in the "out" groups: public employees, homasexials, Treyvon Martin supporters, President Obama, etc. All of these people are fair game for the most scurrilous insults and the rudest treatment. And this from Christians.

You don't think public employees suffer under Republican governors? Have you asked any? Have you even burned a single calorie giving thought to the issue?

Sent from my iPhone using CF

 

[SharonL]

When any leaders have the guts to cut from all this spending - people are going to hurt. You can't be in debt as far as we are and not have to suffer - I am 76 years old and still working and thankful for it. If we don't pull out of it now - our children's future will not exist. Throughout history government controlling the population and being the care giver has failed every time, I don't know what it takes to show that it does not work. How far down do we go before the lies, control and scams are being shown for what they are.

 

[Fantine]

When any leaders have the guts to cut from all this spending - people are going to hurt. You can't be in debt as far as we are and not have to suffer - I am 76 years old and still working and thankful for it. If we don't pull out of it now - our children's future will not exist. Throughout history government controlling the population and being the care giver has failed every time, I don't know what it takes to show that it does not work. How far down do we go before the lies, control and scams are being shown for what they are.

Have you read what's happened in England?

Austerity Pushes The UK Back Into Recession -- Will American Conservatives Learn The Lesson? | ThinkProgress

Budget cuts resulted in lower tax revenues due to the recession. The UK is actually in worse shape than it was before the budget cuts. This is why a combination of better budgeting and sensible tax increases are needed.

Bless you for working at age 76. I'm almost 63. I love my jobs, and can't see leaving any time soon.

I think we all have to realize that keeping our economy strong is a delicate balancing act.