The Unemployment Numbers

Why is health care all they talk about in Washington. The unemployment rate just hit 10.2 percent. They should be working on the economy or nothing they do will matter. We need to get there attention quick while we still have a country.

Actually the true unemployment rate is around 20% (U+6). If you were around in the early 80's we went through the same thing except then we had double digit inflation to boot. The country will survive but it will take time. There are no quick solutions. Most of the stimulus money that was legislated earlier this year will kickin in 2010.

NMresident wrote:

Actually the true unemployment rate is around 20%(U+6). If you were around in the early 80's we went through the same thing except then we had double digit inflation to boot. The country will survive but it will take time. There are no quick solutions. Most of the stimulus money that was legislated earlier this year will kickin in 2010.

The problem is that the politicians in Washington are continuing to spend at a time when we can ill afford the costs. Health care and Cap and Trade will have significantly derogatory affects on our economy. Right now we are sitting at the top of an expert level slope with less than amateur ability. We are looking at a disaster but the politicians are too busy worrying about there partisan agendas. I believe both Health Care and Cap and Trade could be worked but neither side is willing to compromise to reach solutions that both sides could live with.

Forrest wrote:

<quoted text>
The problem is that the politicians in Washington are continuing to spend at a time when we can ill afford the costs. Health care and Cap and Trade will have significantly derogatory affects on our economy. Right now we are sitting at the top of an expert level slope with less than amateur ability. We are looking at a disaster but the politicians are too busy worrying about there partisan agendas. I believe both Health Care and Cap and Trade could be worked but neither side is willing to compromise to reach solutions that both sides could live with.

They are unable to multi-task. They're too busy trying to stuff their HC pkg down our throats and unable to focus on anything else. If The Obama would spend less time on TV blubbering and instead sit down with lawmakers and address other pertinent issues, this country would be a lot better off. And you're spot on about partisan agendas. Of course that is a hard task given interference by Frank, Reid and Pelosi...

We got what we asked for as a nation!

More signs that the economy is getting better as per the Obama Administration. Hey Barack Obama, your stimulus bill just lost another 11,000 jobs. The US did not lose 520,000 jobs this week, we lost 531,000! Every state except North Dakota has lost jobs...

Forrest wrote:

<quoted text>
The problem is that the politicians in Washington are continuing to spend at a time when we can ill afford the costs. Health care and Cap and Trade will have significantly derogatory affects on our economy. Right now we are sitting at the top of an expert level slope with less than amateur ability. We are looking at a disaster but the politicians are too busy worrying about there partisan agendas. I believe both Health Care and Cap and Trade could be worked but neither side is willing to compromise to reach solutions that both sides could live with.

Unfortunately when the consumer stops spending someone has replace it, to "stimulate" it and that's the govt. I'm a fiscal conservative and so Im against deficeit spending with few exceptions. Clinton/Rep Congress finally got us on a responsible fiscal path but that was quickly derailed by the Repub Congress/Pres who cut taxes and raised spending putting us on a fast track to ruin. And this was during a time when the ecomony was relativly fine. Then thrown in the bailouts starting in October 2008 and we are going down fast. I'm for healthcare reform although it should start with cost cutting measures first. I struggle with cap&trade but right now is not the time to implement it.

The biggest problem we have with our elected reps is that they do not represent us but instead do the bidding of special interests who help them get re-elected. That's why every bill or law sucks since it is not designed for value, good service or even good common sense; it's done to satisfy the many interests who bribe them to do their will. They get away with it because most American's do not vote, nor do they even pay attention. They say that only 20% of the voters matter since the rest vote along predictable party lines.

It's a sign when the money runs out that we will all be homeless then what?

We got what we asked for but I didn't vote in the Diverse President since I knew better, but the voters got their American dream and I am just a wild Injun stuck with the Anglo vote for a ZULU warrior as a President who can not lead by example but rather leading America down the tubes into oblivion!

MissFireWater wrote:

We got what we asked for but I didn't vote in the Diverse President since I knew better, but the voters got their American dream and I am just a wild Injun stuck with the Anglo vote for a ZULU warrior as a President who can not lead by example but rather leading America down the tubes into oblivion!

If you didn't vote, you have no right to complain.

there will always be a certain percentage of people- mentally and/or physically handicapped, ill, injured, or just "taking a break." My thought is that percentage is a lot higher than reported in actual percentages....at least by 3 to 4 % higher....with a margin of 2-4%.....

MissFireWater wrote:

It's a sign when the money runs out that we will all be homeless then what?

Each of has a responsibility to put money away for the "bad" times. Of course our govt should do the same but ... its too late now. Most will say, but I have nothing left to save. Well, its called sacrificing. Although it took me years to save I did so by: driving the same car, keeping my old TV, eating out only once a month or so, staying away from buying a cell phone (still don't have one) and other electronic gadgets. You get the picture. And oh by the way, I bought my home two years ago when I could put 20% down plus pay the closing costs. Additionally I have not received money from familly or through an inhertitance. Its hard but its about priorities. Its not the govt place to keep you off the street with few exceptions. Its on each of us to work, keep pursuing education, save and sacrifice so both our families and ourselves can be secure. The govt has in place an unemployment benefit, food stamps and other programs to help but that doesn't relieve us of "personal responsibility" for taking care of ourselves.

skinwalker wrote:

there will always be a certain percentage of people- mentally and/or physically handicapped, ill, injured, or just "taking a break." My thought is that percentage is a lot higher than reported in actual percentages....at least by 3 to 4 % higher....with a margin of 2-4%.....

You're right, it is higher. A broader measure of unemployment called U+6 shows unemployment to be 17.5%. Over the years our political types have "played" with the unemployment numbers by "playing" with how they are measured. The way unemployment was
measured during the Great Depression is drastically different than it is now.
See this article for additional explanation:
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/11/06/bro...

NMresident wrote:

<quoted text>
Each of has a responsibility to put money away for the "bad" times. Of course our govt should do the same but ... its too late now. Most will say, but I have nothing left to save. Well, its called sacrificing. Although it took me years to save I did so by: driving the same car, keeping my old TV, eating out only once a month or so, staying away from buying a cell phone (still don't have one) and other electronic gadgets. You get the picture. And oh by the way, I bought my home two years ago when I could put 20% down plus pay the closing costs. Additionally I have not received money from familly or through an inhertitance. Its hard but its about priorities. Its not the govt place to keep you off the street with few exceptions. Its on each of us to work, keep pursuing education, save and sacrifice so both our families and ourselves can be secure. The govt has in place an unemployment benefit, food stamps and other programs to help but that doesn't relieve us of "personal responsibility" for taking care of ourselves.

Hear HEAR! That runs counter to the ENTITLEMENT dogma of today. How DARE you tout personal responsibility and diss the blame game! One would think for a moment that you might be someone capable of standing on their own two feet.

You will be visited by the IRS for having such thoughts. And 'Carousel' is past due!

NMresident wrote:

<quoted text>
You're right, it is higher. A broader measure of unemployment called U+6 shows unemployment to be 17.5%. Over the years our political types have "played" with the unemployment numbers by "playing" with how they are measured. The way unemployment was
measured during the Great Depression is drastically different than it is now.
See this article for additional explanation:
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/11/06/bro...

Of course they play with the numbers. Didn't we just see them claim to have saved some jobs with in reality were pay increases, not saved jobs? Didn't they just claim to save some 500 teachers jobs in a certain school district that only has like 270 teachers overall? The usual Government spin.

CornDaddy wrote:

<quoted text>
Hear HEAR! That runs counter to the ENTITLEMENT dogma of today. How DARE you tout personal responsibility and diss the blame game! One would think for a moment that you might be someone capable of standing on their own two feet.
You will be visited by the IRS for having such thoughts. And 'Carousel' is past due!

Ha!!! Visited by the IRS? I'm not worried as I worked for them for about 18 months a few years back. Nothing to fear - the hype surrounding them is pretty much just that.

Your right, its not mentioned enough and really runs counter to our consumer culture where buy now and pay later is king. Afterall spending like there is no tomorrow is what helped drive our economy into the ground since no one seemed to care if the person doing the buying (on credit) could actually pay it back. Big business loves it. And our govt does its share by setting a bad example.

NMresident wrote:

<quoted text>
Each of has a responsibility to put money away for the "bad" times. Of course our govt should do the same but ... its too late now. Most will say, but I have nothing left to save. Well, its called sacrificing. Although it took me years to save I did so by: driving the same car, keeping my old TV, eating out only once a month or so, staying away from buying a cell phone (still don't have one) and other electronic gadgets. You get the picture. And oh by the way, I bought my home two years ago when I could put 20% down plus pay the closing costs. Additionally I have not received money from familly or through an inhertitance. Its hard but its about priorities. Its not the govt place to keep you off the street with few exceptions. Its on each of us to work, keep pursuing education, save and sacrifice so both our families and ourselves can be secure. The govt has in place an unemployment benefit, food stamps and other programs to help but that doesn't relieve us of "personal responsibility" for taking care of ourselves.

You have done exactly what everyone should do, its called living within your means and not buying what you don't need. Personal responsibility seems to be something that is no longer taught at home or in the public schools. Easy credit is what got our economy in the mess thats its in. There have been a lot of excuses reported in the media but what it really boils down to is that people were given credit beyond there ability to pay. Who do you blame the people who got credit or the companies that granted the credit. I blame both along with the politicians who kept pushing for more loans to people who just didn't measure up for such loans.

Get a Life wrote:

<quoted text>
If you didn't vote, you have no right to complain.

Your wrong,,,,, my kids are old enough to vote however, my grandchildren are not, and the new administration voted in by idealogical eccentric and peculiar people have desided their futures. According to you they didn't vote and have no "right" to complain. Right?

NMresident wrote:

<quoted text>
Ha!!! Visited by the IRS? I'm not worried as I worked for them for about 18 months a few years back. Nothing to fear - the hype surrounding them is pretty much just that.

The Obama will see to that. He already has slated them as the enforcer for health care 'contributions and failure to pay those fines. This is the NEW IRS, The changed IRS not the pinche IRS of old!

NMresident wrote:

<quoted text>Your right, its not mentioned enough and really runs counter to our consumer culture where buy now and pay later is king. Afterall spending like there is no tomorrow is what helped drive our economy into the ground since no one seemed to care if the person doing the buying (on credit) could actually pay it back. Big business loves it. And our govt does its share by setting a bad example.

Funny thing is, as time passes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The reckless spending phase we've just gone through will last longer and do more harm to the economy than any other spending the bots will blame on Bush or others. The bail-outs are promoting that same behavior by rewarding the very entities who caused much of this turmoil initially.

CornDaddy wrote:

<quoted text>
<quoted text>
Funny thing is, as time passes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The reckless spending phase we've just gone through will last longer and do more harm to the economy than any other spending the bots will blame on Bush or others. The bail-outs are promoting that same behavior by rewarding the very entities who caused much of this turmoil initially.

Deficit spending is just that, doesnt matter who or how much. Yeah, its accelerated since the bailouts were announced in Oct 08. I was one of those who firmly opposed the bailouts. There is no doubt that the financial meltdown would have been worse, thus also worse for the overall economy but I just can't see allowing those who made bad business decisions to be bailed out, its not fair to those competitors that acted responsibly nor is it fair to the taxpayer who is on the hook. As you said, its promoting bad behavior.

SilverBullet wrote:

<quoted text>
Your wrong,,,,, my kids are old enough to vote however, my grandchildren are not, and the new administration voted in by idealogical eccentric and peculiar people have desided their futures. According to you they didn't vote and have no "right" to complain. Right?

There is far more blame to go around than just Obama. Its the legislative branch that does the spending, not the executive, and they have been doing it for years. The massive bailout started in October 2008 with Bush signing off has continued with bailouts and other spending okayed by Obama. Bush okayed an unfunded war and an unfunded prescription drug benefit program in addition to growing the govt. Both a republican and democratic majority legislative branch provided the funding. Lots of blame on both parties for allowing it, now and in the past.