Re: The Back And Forth On The Jobless Numbers

[DemocratSinceBirth]

There is no denying the economy is adding new jobs after losing jobs for quite a long time. The challenge is to create enough jobs for everybody that wants one. It would be as if the Red Cross showed up at a disaster where there were five hundred thirsty people with only enough water for two hundred. The two hundred would be happy, the others not so much.


The posters who are in real pain deserve our empathy; not ridicule.


As a postscript I don't blame President Obama. He doesn't have a magic wand to create jobs. It is what it is.

[tonysam]

1. The numbers don't even BEGIN to explain it.

People see an uptick in job creation and they think the "recession"--actually a DEPRESSION--is over with. As the long-term unemployed are dropped off the rolls, expect the situation to get much, much, much worse. Homelessness, bankruptcy, destitution, you name it.

There is really nothing out here of consequence; the more low-skilled the job, the more applicants.

I have had a handful of interviews in two years, and the job search is no better now than it was then.

The mindless cheerleading of Obama really needs to stop; it does not help our situation at all.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. I Don't Blame President Obama. He's Not A Magician.

However with pouplation growth and the formerly discourgared returning to the job market it might take to the end of the decade to get back to full employment.

You are also going to have a whole generation of young people who didn't get their first real job into they are in their mid twenties or later.

[proudohioan]

4. You forgot to mention hopelessness and severe mental depression.....

and the huge emotional toll that this fucked up economy is taking on folks.

[tonysam]

5. Obama inherited the mess, but he and Congress have the responsibility

to change matters.

One can't pin this on the GOP forever...this is becoming a bipartisan mess.

[proudohioan]

8. Agreed; this is WAY beyond a partisan issue!

And one of my concerns about an uptick in employment is not the numbers themselves, but the actual quality of jobs being created. We cannot keep simply aspiring to spinning 'good numbers' to keep people happy. At some point, we have to look beyond spin and look toward sustainability. That 800lb gorilla in the room can't be ignored indefinitely! Continuing to point the blame on GOP is getting us nowhere, and neither is all of the cheerleading.

[greencharlie]

11. true...

if it were 500,000 jobs and a 7.5% UE rate...

this would be OBAMA'S recovery!!! But if next month drops to 100,000 new jobs and 10.0% UE rate...

it's SHRUB'S economy!!!

politicians... sigh.

[Statistical]

12. Recession has nothing to do with jobs.

Recession is 2 or more qtrs of negative GDP growth. That has ended.

[proudohioan]

3. Great analogy about the Red Cross....

and while I don't blame President Obama, either (this shit didn't exactly start on his watch), I do wish that he would come up with a more aggressive jobs program than has been proposed so far. As some have put it, a more 'FDR' like approach.

I'm 48 years old, and haven't had a "real job" since late 2005. I have a college degree, and used to have a fantastic resume; personally, I just can't hack another "McJob".

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. I Know FDR Had The PWA

But it took a long time and a war to get back to full employment. There's only so much a president can do to stimulate the economy. The housing industry and the banking industry took it on the chin in this economy. That wasn't a garden variety recession, we are getting out of.

[proudohioan]

13. Oh, no DOUBT that all those programs took a long time before seeing...

full employment! I don't disagree with you there. I just wish that the efforts to stimulate the economy would be less focused on tax credits and more focused on PWA type stuff. IMO, the 'trickle-down' stuff is just not that effective.

[girl gone mad]

7. Actually, Obama does have a magic wand to create jobs..

but he has chosen to join forces with the dark side (aka deficit terrorists) rather than use his powers for good.

[Ozymanithrax]

15. And what wand is that??? n/t

[louis-t]

9. The only advice I can give to the jobless....

Keep trying. My (sort of adopted) little girl (age 23) just spent 3 weeks putting in aps and resumes. She applied at about 40 different places. She walked into one place and the owner said "your timing was perfect, someone is leaving tomorrow, when can you start?" She started this morning at a Farmer's Market. She is living with me temporarily until she gets back on her feet. She can take a bus half a mile to work or I can drive her. I was reluctant to let her move in, but now I will be sad when she leaves.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. God Bless You And Her And Good For Both Of You

~

[proudohioan]

14. That is wonderful news for you and your little girl!

Congratulations to you both, and I hope that she gets on her feet soon! I'm sure she will not forget your generosity!