PAUL KRUGMAN - Writing Off the Unemployed

[Vinnie From Indy]

Back in 1987 my Princeton colleague Alan Blinder published a very good book titled “Hard Heads, Soft Hearts.” It was, as you might guess, a call for tough-minded but compassionate economic policy. Unfortunately, what we actually got — especially, although not only, from Republicans — was the opposite. And it’s difficult to find a better example of the hardhearted, softheaded nature of today’s G.O.P. than what happened last week, as Senate Republicans once again used the filibuster to block aid to the long-term unemployed.

What do we know about long-term unemployment in America?

First, it’s still at near-record levels. Historically, the long-term unemployed — those out of work for 27 weeks or more — have usually been between 10 and 20 percent of total unemployment. Today the number is 35.8 percent. Yet extended unemployment benefits, which went into effect in 2008, have now been allowed to lapse. As a result, few of the long-term unemployed are receiving any kind of support.

Second, if you think the typical long-term unemployed American is one of Those People — nonwhite, poorly educated, etc. — you’re wrong, according to research by the Urban Institute’s Josh Mitchell. Half of the long-term unemployed are non-Hispanic whites. College graduates are less likely to lose their jobs than workers with less education, but once they do they are actually a bit more likely than others to join the ranks of the long-term unemployed. And workers over 45 are especially likely to spend a long time unemployed.

More at: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/10/opinion/krugman-writing-off-the-unemployed.html?ref=opinion&comments#commentsContainer

[LiberalEsto]

1. I'm one of thse long-term unemployed

Last edited Mon Feb 10, 2014, 02:12 PM - Edit history (1)

Non-Hispanic white, BA in English, more than 25 years as a newspaper reporter, 7 years as a tech/marketing writer on energy issues, out of work for 5 years and 3 months. I've given up looking and applied for early Social Security because I turn 62 next month.

[ProSense]

2. Your situation is

"Non-Hispanic white, BA in English, more than 25 years as a newspaper reporter, 7 years as a tech/marketing writer or energy issues, out of work for 5 years and 3 months. I've given up looking and applied for early Social Security because I turn 62 next month. "

...very similar to mine, but I'm years away from early retirement so I can't give up looking.

[LiberalEsto]

3. Good luck to you in your search

There seem to be more writing gigs opening up now, which improves your chances of finding something.
I no longer have the physical energy for many of the openings being advertised, at least the ones in the DC area.

[ProSense]

4. Many thanks. Best to you. n/t

[abelenkpe]

5. Me too

20 years experience as an animator working on major motion pictures (four Vfx academy award nominations) Annie award winning super bowl commercials, MFA degree. Can only find short term freelance here and there now. Could probably get work out of the country but can't leave because of family. Work was offshored in a major way last year so studios could take advantage of subsidies offered overseas. Way too young to retire, tho.
Good luck out there!

[CK_John]

6. SocSec at 50yrs is the solution for lack of jobs due to productivity advances in this Cyber-era

[riderinthestorm]

7. K&R for Paul. Always a great read. nt

[Egalitarian Thug]

8. K&R #5 This should definitely be on the greatest page. n/t