Money & The EconomyOpinion

Unemployment at All-Time Low 5.9%… Just Kidding!

Government math takes on many forms. I think it’s the basis for Common Core math. In Common Core, 2 plus 2 plus 2 doesn’t always equal 6. Just like 18% of employable people in the U.S. equals a 5.9% unemployment rate.

The 5.9 %number is usually arrived at by simply looking at how many Americans file for unemployment every week, both new and continuing claims. You hear about the numbers of people dropping off the rolls but you never hear why. The assumption is that they found a job.

Do you ever hear them report about the number of people who drop off the unemployment rolls because they ran out of time? Or the ones who got discouraged and gave up looking because they couldn’t find employment. What about the ones who switch to disability because they are now having physical and mental issues as a result of their job search? (Insert crickets sound here.)

Most economists use another set of numbers that the government Bureau of Labor Statistics calls “U-6.” It defines the “total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of all civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers.”

This number takes into account, by that definition, the underemployed, discouraged, and unemployed workers. This number actually did fall for the first time below 12% to 11.8%. Hey, don’t get too excited yet.

Remember, just before the election period in 2012, we were told unemployment was down. Many government math “adjustments” were made to the unemployment numbers all summer leading up to the November 2012 election. But fudging the numbers shouldn’t be a big surprise. I mean, look at the other “adjustments” that were made : Benghazi was “not” another 9/11 anniversary attack, the Obamacare rollout debacle was really just a few “minor” glitches, much like that whole “keeping your doctor” thing.

Now, back to government math. In September, the unemployment rate dropped by 0.2% to 5.9%. The number of people unemployed dropped by about 329,000 to 9.3 million.
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Joe Messina

Joe is a no-nonsense, conservative realist. He is not interested in “what if?” or “we could have!” He is interested in hearing both sides and has no problem taking on taboo issues with real questions looking for real answers. Racism, religion, and politics are all open season for topics, and he’s happy to offer up his opinion in the process! Joe is an engaging speaker mixing a healthy dose of sarcasm with the cold, hard facts, interacting with the audience, taking questions, and often playing “devil’s advocate”… just to make you to think! Actively engaged in community, church, and politics for well over a decade, Joe enjoys the reputation of being a man of integrity and ethics. He has had several successful businesses and held several executive positions with various Fortune 1000 companies. He is often sought after to teach classes his “black and white breakdown” of business ethics. If you like to “stir the pot” a little and you don’t want to hear any more political correctness, Joe is your guy! Just name a topic… politics, religion, racism, or most any current event. Joe can be heard daily across the airwaves and over the internet on several stations.

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One Comment

  1. Lower unemployment rates and less illegal entry into our Sovereign Country are just 2 more ingredients in the “hogwash stew” now being served…..North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee are just 3 of the states that have added jobs…AND each report that 50-70% are being filled by “ILLEGAL MIGRANTS’…(to me) This indicates that they are at the the lower income range and being filled by under educated, unskilled workers. (Many of them supplementing their income through our social services.) In 2006 the Pew Foundation reported that the availability of summer employment for teenagers was droping at about 10% a year and ‘criminal trespassers’were flipping burgers,and mowing yards.I believe many of them are the ones now demanding $15 phr….

    In 1998 I worked for a private company that helped secure Social Security and Disability. When I reported to the ‘boss’ that I had 14 claims from the same apartment in Falfuris, Tx (on Tx-Mex border) applying for disability, I was told “Not your concern” ….My response soon led to my dismissal soon after….and began my involvement in border issues..

    I understand that now we can expect Kurdish refugees and that they will be vetted the same way they were from Hati, Iraq etc…

    There are, according to Center for Immigration Studies, approximately 62 million NON English speaking households in America. Perhaps a new version of Ellis Island should be considered???

    Our tax structure has sent 500 American Companies to Mexico (google US Companies in Mexico)

    Until the tax structure gives businesses a base to work from and stops the 365 day of Halloween treats and THIS ADMINISTRATION REPLACED…it’s the same song all over again.
    NOV 4TH forget personal ‘wants’ and VOTE FOR AMERICA

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