Jobs

[Superman]

You're dreamin', Island. Actually, I think you're being deliberate here. We both know what "frictional" unemployment is and I suspect we both know that's not what is happening.

I case you didn't hear, the labor department has just announced the SIXTH STRAIGHT month in which job losses outnumber job gains. In other words, net employment in the United States has fallen each month this calendar year.

New applications for jobless benefits soared to nearly 404,000 last month. Does this sound like "frictional unemployment" to you?

This has nothing to do with body count. Different area altogether. Report. This morning. Labor department. Stop drinking the Kool-Aid. America is not in the wonderful shape that Fox is telling you about.

[Superman]

Additionally.....FWIW.....several companies have also just announced planned layoffs to occur later this year. So......there is great potential for this trend to continue. Perhaps at least until we can get some leadership in the White House. For a change.

[island911]

Originally Posted by Superman

. So......there is great potential for this trend to continue. ....

You Hope ... Hope you can believe in! ..linear extrapolating you can believe in.

Seriously Supe, did it ever occur to you that employers are getting nervous about Obama coming in?

That is - If Obama is the great savior, then why would anyone be worried?












What me worry? --I have HOPE!

[Superman]

Yeah, that must be it. They're preparing for the economic downturn under Obama. Good one.

Have a great holiday weekend.

[Rick Lee]

I think my company might have layoffs this year too, but it's because our competition are kicking are a$ses and not because there's not enough business out there. My employer is also getting fat and happy with high prices and bloated bureaucracy. If they are forced to tighten the belt, it will have nothing to do with the government and everything to do with a competitive marketplace.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Another factor that becomes very real to a lot of folks in an economic downturn, and is ignored COMPLETELY by the government is "underemployment".

For example, let's say a college-educated professional with 10 years of management experience gets laid off. To make ends meet, he/she takes a $8 an hour job flipping burgers because it's all that's available and the only place in town that's hiring at all, at any price. Technically, by the government's definition, he's not "unemployed" but is sure as hell underemployed, possibly able to only (barely) make a housing payment but certainly not to pay for outstanding loans, credit cards, car payments, insurance costs, gas costs (especially today), utilities, health care, etc. They're also probably not getting benefits anymore.

This is a very real problem in economic downturns and is COMPLETELY ignored by the statistics as reported.

Just wondering....how would you factor in the people that are "over employed?" For example: There are a few ceo's in this country that make hundreds of millions annually (basically, you could say they earn the average salaries of dozens or hundreds of average people) yet they are only counted as one employed person. These same people probably have wives, kids, brothers, sisters, etc.. that don't work because they have a rich relative (would these people be counted as non-workers).

These statistics are really mis-leading in both directions. Yet, if I drive around in my home state of California (one state hit the hardest by the economic down turn), I see houses built 5,000+sqft, I see luxury cars all the time, I see poor black folk driving Escalades with spinning 22's? Just how poor are we?

Everyone I know is complaining about the economy, yet I don't see anyone really suffering. Sure, some of my friends that cashed out their equity a few years ago and bought everything they "needed" are now realizing that this has to be paid for eventually.....who's fault was that?? I'm just glad that in these tough times, I've only got 5 years to go on my mortgage, very little debt. But are all these problems "Dubya's" fault like the "Dummy" who started this thread suggests?

Just wondering...

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

Supe version Texas style,
The Un-employment center..on Monday ..say 200 show for the dance,
almost a 3 day process to get the check
Mon. AM 200 start..rude & indifferent staff , little or no help from staff, come back at 1
1..about 150 return..same ****..come back tomm.
Tues. AM maybe 100>>that afternoon 75
Weds. 50 will likely see $ / 150 'outside'

Rika

If you filled out an application like your writing style is here....I'd have to pass.