Recovery - Not yet!

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by mossbacked

The stats also fail to mention seasonal Christmas hiring that always happens this time of year no matter what.

Wouldn't you say though, that 9.4% in December of 2010 is better than 9.9% unemployment in December of 2009. That should be comparing apples to apples shouldn't it?

Regards,

D-Ray

[Charles]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

Wouldn't you say though, that 9.4% in December of 2010 is better than 9.9% unemployment in December of 2009. That should be comparing apples to apples shouldn't it?

Regards,

D-Ray

I'm not so sure that the figures aren't being manipulated, but something is better than nothing.

Chas

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by Charles

I'm not so sure that the figures aren't being manipulated, but something is better than nothing.

Chas

That's the average Chas, Altlantic Monthly has a chart showing that amongst degreed folks it is very low and amongst black males it is quite high. Much depends upon where you are in the pecking order.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by merrylander

That's the average Chas, Altlantic Monthly has a chart showing that amongst degreed folks it is very low and amongst black males it is quite high. Much depends upon where you are in the pecking order.

I can appreciate how they arrive at their figures, what I question is what they're using for data.

If you calculate in those who were dropped from the UE rolls for one reason or another, young people who would normally be entering the workforce but have moved back in with mom, under and part time employment, you wind up with a different picture.

I'm not questioning that we're down a half a point from last year, I'm questioning the baseline figures themselves.

Chas

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Charles

I can appreciate how they arrive at their figures, what I question is what they're using for data.

If you calculate in those who were dropped from the UE rolls for one reason or another, young people who would normally be entering the workforce but have moved back in with mom, under and part time employment, you wind up with a different picture.

I'm not questioning that we're down a half a point from last year, I'm questioning the baseline figures themselves.Chas

Sorta doesn't matter IMHO. If the data is analysed in the same manner every month, the fact remains that unemployment went down 0.5%. Anyone who knows a thing about unemployment figures knows that there's a difference between structural unemployment, total unemployment and these figures. It's the trend in these figures that matter IMHO.

[d-ray657]

Chas, be careful what you ask for. Here is the most current unemployment data from the Bureau of Labor Standards. If you want other unemployment data, for example last year's, start hunting here. I have actually used BLS data for a few things, and it is very thorough.

Regards,

D-Ray

[Charles]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

Chas, be careful what you ask for. Here is the most current unemployment data from the Bureau of Labor Standards. If you want other unemployment data, for example last year's, start hunting here. I have actually used BLS data for a few things, and it is very thorough.

Regards,

D-Ray

Why thank you Don, that's a little more like it.

Now they may be figures from the "lyin' goobermitt", but the government does have the most extensive database out there, and a benchmark has to be established from something.

And while a 1/2 point drop in UE is better than a sharp stick in the eye, I don't think it's time to break out the party hats just yet.

Concerning the economy, I'm beginning to grow cautiously optimistic. I actually got a couple of phone calls.

Now one of them was a wrong number, but batting .500 in a snowstorm ain't bad.

Now can you furnish me with the internals on TARP. As you've pointed out, most of it, most noticeably loans to the big banks, has almost been repaid.

I still don't understand how they've gone from being flat busted on their asses to rolling in the dough so quickly.

It's not like they have a money tree or anything.

Chas

PS: Don't get me wrong, if the Lizzards of Wall Street can pull another rabbit out of their ass and keep this house of cards from folding up, it's fine with me.

Wouldn't hurt if they were to work a little cheaper, but I understand that's the motivation for repayment in the 1st place.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by Charles

I can appreciate how they arrive at their figures, what I question is what they're using for data.

If you calculate in those who were dropped from the UE rolls for one reason or another, young people who would normally be entering the workforce but have moved back in with mom, under and part time employment, you wind up with a different picture.

I'm not questioning that we're down a half a point from last year, I'm questioning the baseline figures themselves.

Chas

They also gave figures for the young people who moved back home, near as I recall the number tripled from summat like 23% to 70%.

All these numbers aside does anyone honestly believe that all these dumbass bills Boehner & Co. are proposing are going to put anyone back to work?

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by merrylander

All these numbers aside does anyone honestly believe that all these dumbass bills Boehner & Co. are proposing are going to put anyone back to work?

No. So far all I've seen from them is a pathetic Kabuki dance. Well, to be fair they did protect a handfull of the ultra rich from a tax increase. Or loss of a tax cut........or whatever you want to call it.........I guess.

When the economy picks up, it'll be because people who have money have grown tired of sitting on it.

Dave