Today it's hard to know which 'facts' are true. The question, 'How many Americans are unemployed?' has many answers. Government figures give one number, which is often disputed by radio talk hosts and political pundits. The answer is there, but the average American may never know it. In the end, the figure most believe may be totally subjective.
Reports say that there are about 250,000 unemployed each month. However, since this figure is based on how many people apply for benefits, this may not truly reflect the actual number. Perhaps the report should cite how many are actively seeking a job and applying for benefits when unsuccessful. Those who have given up looking for a job they want to do go uncounted.
Many also distrust the figures that report new job creation. They have experienced the frequent hirings and terminations for the same job, which happened in the last census and goes on with government contract workers. Although you might think that you have one job, you might be recalled repeatedly and counted as a new hire each time.
Some commentators point to 'labor participation' numbers. They say the number of people working is the same now as it was in the 1970's - a decline of significant proportions from ten years ago. It only makes sense that this fact (if true, of course) would indicate a high level of unemployment. The population of the country has grown by natural increase, and there are many more immigrants than in former years. The labor force would have to be much greater to have kept pace with the added population.
The increased number of people on public assistance also leads one to believe in high unemployment. People with a job can generally feed themselves, but there are more people on food stamps than ever before. Of course, this increase may be partly due to more leniency in the program and consequent abuse. People can use food stamp money for more than food now; they can even turn it into cash.
Unlike during the Great Depression, there are jobs going begging. 'Help Wanted' signs in storefront windows show that there is at least some work available in cities and towns. However, this sort of work may not appeal to college graduates or support an entire family. Those who went jobless in the 1930s, however, would have jumped at the chance for any work at all.
Politics, of course, is behind conflicting reports on the state of the American worker. The current administration wants people to think the economy is strong and citizen are well off. The opposition wants voters to think that current policies have failed and that things could be much better with a change at the top. It would be nice to think that government figures are accurate, but it's also interesting to listen to those who call those figures twisted. For instance, when the productivity numbers go down but officials claim the economy is growing, it raises a question.
Most jobs are created and sustained by small businesses, which have neither increased or expanded much in almost a decade. This may be the most significant way to gauge the plight of the American worker. Many believe that the true number of unemployed workers is much greater than indicated.
Reports say that there are about 250,000 unemployed each month. However, since this figure is based on how many people apply for benefits, this may not truly reflect the actual number. Perhaps the report should cite how many are actively seeking a job and applying for benefits when unsuccessful. Those who have given up looking for a job they want to do go uncounted.
Many also distrust the figures that report new job creation. They have experienced the frequent hirings and terminations for the same job, which happened in the last census and goes on with government contract workers. Although you might think that you have one job, you might be recalled repeatedly and counted as a new hire each time.
Some commentators point to 'labor participation' numbers. They say the number of people working is the same now as it was in the 1970's - a decline of significant proportions from ten years ago. It only makes sense that this fact (if true, of course) would indicate a high level of unemployment. The population of the country has grown by natural increase, and there are many more immigrants than in former years. The labor force would have to be much greater to have kept pace with the added population.
The increased number of people on public assistance also leads one to believe in high unemployment. People with a job can generally feed themselves, but there are more people on food stamps than ever before. Of course, this increase may be partly due to more leniency in the program and consequent abuse. People can use food stamp money for more than food now; they can even turn it into cash.
Unlike during the Great Depression, there are jobs going begging. 'Help Wanted' signs in storefront windows show that there is at least some work available in cities and towns. However, this sort of work may not appeal to college graduates or support an entire family. Those who went jobless in the 1930s, however, would have jumped at the chance for any work at all.
Politics, of course, is behind conflicting reports on the state of the American worker. The current administration wants people to think the economy is strong and citizen are well off. The opposition wants voters to think that current policies have failed and that things could be much better with a change at the top. It would be nice to think that government figures are accurate, but it's also interesting to listen to those who call those figures twisted. For instance, when the productivity numbers go down but officials claim the economy is growing, it raises a question.
Most jobs are created and sustained by small businesses, which have neither increased or expanded much in almost a decade. This may be the most significant way to gauge the plight of the American worker. Many believe that the true number of unemployed workers is much greater than indicated.
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