Exactly.

That is why we invaded Haiti. They were going to raise their national minimum wage and Levis, Hanes, and Fruit-of-the-Loom were against this.

They asked Pres. Bush to invade. He did.

They make around $4/ day.

Think our pay can't go any lower. Guess again.

They asked Pres. Bush to invade. He did.

President Bush (neither George HW nor George W) didn't invade Haiti. As near as I can tell there were three US invasions of Haiti:

1915: President Woodrow Wilson (Democrat)

1994: Presidnet Bill Clinton (Democrat)

2010: President Barack Obama (Democrat)

You're going to see more and more articles like this. The primary reason is the housing market. The job openings are going to be poorly distributed and we will begin to see sections of the country where there are job openings without qualified applicants and other places where there are plenty of qualified applicants but no jobs. People will be very limited in their ability to move from one area to another because they own houses in which they are underwater.

And another type of article you will see more and more are people who are extremely dissatisfied with their current job but can't move because of the housing market. The numbers of people with jobs who hate the jobs or hate their employers is at an all time high already.

This is just another example that the capitalist system has proven to incapable of meeting the needs of the people-even the richest capitalist country in history.

It's time to abolish this corrupt, rotten and anti-people capitalist economy, state and governmental system, and replace it with one dedicated to meeting the needs of the people.

The time for socialism is now!

Lee.. actually, I think the last time we "invaded" Haiti, it was to provide a little humanitarian assistance after everything was flattened in an earthquake.

Do YOU have other information the rest of the world never heard of? Please enlighten all of us.

That's a lie. Socialism is the reason we are about to go bankrupt. It is the fact that we've killed free market capitalism and are practicing socialist "crony" capitalism that has killed this economy and won't let it recover.

Giving $500,000,000 to Solyndra after Obama was TOLD it would go bankrupt is a prime example.

The private sector creates wealth, the public sector destroys it. The larger the government is the lees wealth is produced and the more is destroyed. That's what we saw the first two years of Obama. The recovery only started after republicans took back the house and reversed the growth in government.

Note for every government job eliminated multiple private sector jobs have replaced them. Search the world over, in every case capitalism works, socialism doesn't.

So why are so many calling for government to do something about companies moving jobs overseas. Let capitalism work and if that means fewer jobs in the US and more profits for companies so be it.

A lot of these comments reinforced why we need some government intervention and regulation to protect us from those who would exploit us into nonexistence.

Going to a true free market and no regulations on businesses, labor laws, etc... would drive wages down to almost nothing or go back to indentured servitude just for a hot meal and a place to sleep. Even then, many jobs and corporate headquarters would still offshore for tax and financial reasons tanking the US economy for good. The U.S. economy is a consumer economy and with little or no real consumer base left in the U.S. due to falling wages and job loses, companies would focus all their sales on the growing emerging economies in Asia and elsewhere.

Government isn't the solution to all our needs, but when it comes to protecting us as consumers from faulty products, price gouging, and unfair practices, and basic labor protections, government is the only game in town. Anyone thinking business will self-police itself or be corrected under a totally free market forgets about derivatives, melamine in baby formula in China, and dangerous counterfeit drugs. Those are the products of a unregulated market and it only takes a few players like that to poison the whole system for everyone.

Marlen? Really? It's time for socialism? Isn't that what your dear leader Obama is doing right now. He has stood in the way of business for every day he has been in office. That's why we are where we are now. Occupy missed the boat as it wasn't Wall Street that was causing the problems. It was Capital Hill. You have 535 temple monkeys in Congress that are serving at the behest of the big banks - not your corner bank mind you - but the biggies like the IMF, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America and such. The banks are calling the shots.

As a sage manager once told me - all you have to do is follow the money to get your answer. So Marlen, instead of wanting to change this country, why don't you go live in some of the more successful socialistic countries like North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, Russia or the Ukraine. Take your pick and just go. Unlike them - this is a free country so you can leave anytime (sooner the better). I'm sure they need a brain trust like you to help them figure out their problems. Good Grief!!! How can people be so stupid?

all of the problems we have with the economy are caused by the Baby Boomers therefore they need to fix the problems before they are allowed to retired. PERIOD.

they got us in this mess so it doesn't matter if they have to work until 100 y/o to help pay taxes, they MUST take responsibility for their actions. although they should not be allowed to drive after 65.

please write to your congressman.

BABY BOOMERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO RETIRED UNTIL WE BALANCE THE TRADE DEFICIT, PAY OFF THE NATIONAL DEBT AND MAINTAIN PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

Conservatives who advocate a strengthening of Bush-era polices must have an awfully short memory. Was the country better at the end if Bush's 8 years or at the beginning. Think carefully now.

Are we better off now then 3 years ago?? Don't think so.

Unemployment NOW 8.5% then 7.8%.

Number of people on Food Stamps NOW 45 Million then 35.5 Million.

But I guess that liberal math comes into play again. 7.8% is BIGGER then 8.5% and 35.5 Million is bigger then 45 Million.

TJ-2946430 you are only partially correct; Bush did invade Haiti.

After an uprising against President Aristide in 2004, US forces returned to Haiti, this time to airlift him out of the country.

Mr Aristide accused the US of forcing him out - an accusation the US rejected as "absurd".

With the crisis averted, US interest in Haiti lessened. A UN-led mission took over from US troops in June 2004 and continues to be present there.

markl23...

"BABY BOOMERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO RETIRED UNTIL WE BALANCE THE TRADE DEFICIT, PAY OFF THE NATIONAL DEBT AND MAINTAIN PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST."

Is this a joke dude? If not, your post tops the "most ridiculous post of the day!" You must be part of the "me, me, me" generation...

i do 3 things...#1.brain surgery #2.dig for gold #3.post comment's on the vine...

Mike, valid points. And MarkL, who's going to pay for your "socialism now" idea? Without people actually working, and paying taxes? I agree, we "old geezers" have messed up. From what I can read of your writing, you were shortchanged on the education the taxpayers of your community payed for. And that includes the "old geezers" that used their retirement pay to pay those same taxes.

We have got to stop yelling at each other, and get OUR nation back to work. If that means we start taxing EVERY company that moves jobs offshore, then so be it.

Then, just for good measure, let's tax EVERY congressperson, (notice I didn't get gender specific. Very P.C.) to the maximum, plus, as they are the greedy so and so's that have pushed this country into such bad shape, just for their own personal ego satisfaction.

When it takes two jobs in one family, just to support that family, there is something seriously wrong. And both political parties, and their "talking heads," are to blame. Neither side actually has the interests of the American taxpayer at heart, just their own self interests. And until that dedication to this nation is returned by the ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES we HIRED, nothing is going to change.

Are you a single parent of young children, and you're being forced to work at more than one job to make ends meet?

The Japanese have a word for it: "Karoshi," of which translated into English, means "death-by-overwork."

Pray for single-payer/universal healthcare -- for in this economy -- you'll wish you had coverage after you lose your jobs, due to the quality of your personal health going downhill for working your ass off, 24-7-365 !

@p111

The current implementation of Western capitalism only APPEARS to be creating wealth. The problem is that those gains are front-loaded and the costs are back-loaded. The fat tail always bites and eats all of the gains.

The worst part of it is that the people who collect in the front-load process are not the same ones who pay in the back-load process.

This is why the U.S. economy is not growing. There is no incentive for most people to strive and there is no investment in the future. All this country is doing is moving money from the left pocket to the right pocket.

My husband is working hard to find a job. 3 months, approx. 51 applications every two days. All he hears is your over qualified. We are afraid if we hire you you will be bored and eventually leave. He cannot stress enough that he needs to work and wants to work. Then he sees the same positions re-posted because they cannot fill the position!!! My husband was willing to take that job.

My husband is a hard worker and will do what ever anyone wants him to do.

How's this for luck - My husband worked PT at UPS a few months ago. While working there he got hired at FEDEX (lol) which promised min. 70 hrs per week and $5 more an hour. He was at UPS the morning he was supposed to start FEDEX at 8:30am. He made a choice at 8:10am to leave UPS and go to the FEDEX job (right down the street from UPS). He worked that day at FEDEX and 1 other day. They kept calling him and telling him not to come in because there was not enough work. He still went everyday for 2 hours to FEDEX just in case someone didn't show or they needed extra people. Then they let all the new hires go!!!!! Screwed again.

Sorry Shelley, but did you ever consider the difference between union and non-union shop? Your husband would still be employed at UPS with a great deal of opportunity to grow into and income potential. It can take some time to get those positions, but you have to be in the door to have the opportunity. UPS promotes from within. Again, I'm sorry tough lesson.

Sorry Shelley, but did you ever consider the difference between union and non-union shop? Your husband would still be employed at UPS with a great deal of opportunity to grow into and income potential. It can take some time to get those positions, but you have to be in the door to have the opportunity. UPS promotes from within. Again, I'm sorry tough lesson.

He was laid off not fired, unions dont make a difference on layoffs, for new hires.. Also my company owns two job sites, one is union and the other is non-union. The non-union makes more per hr and gets triple the bonuses, while bringing the company less money than the union site..

Repeal Nafta.

Unfortunately working Part-time (25 hrs) for $8.50 per hour for 6 years was not an option for us. We really needed income. FEDEX was supposed to be $13.50 with up to 70 hours. At the time it was a hard decision but needed to go where the money was......sigh.

Thank you though.

What jobs and where are they ????? Just more spin , smoke and mirror B.S. These people continue to say anything to make a dead horse look like a derby winner .

Their are 3-4.5 million people hired every month. Their are jobs out their. Some are good some are not. But they are jobs.Good luck they are out their look for them. You wil find their are about 500K-1 million are not advertised.

Auto, where are you getting the info that 3-4.5 million are hired every month? If we are adding 75-100K people into the workforce each month, we'd have zero unemployment in no time. If we have approximately 14 million people unemployed, there would be few people without jobs in no time at all. Better check your facts!

Better check your facts!

Maybe you should understand the facts? Would you like me to explain what you don't understand?

Auto 101 is basically right. I think the real monthly number is about 1.5 million to 2 million are hired every month and there has been on average about 3.5 million openings. On the other side of the coin there is about 1.5 million to 2 million who lose their job every month. So, if say 2 million are hired during the month and 1.8 million lose there jobs during the month then the job creation for that month is 200,000 jobs. Its true, not a conspiracy.

sPARTAN,

Your right however it is 3-4.5 million the lowest was 2.8 million. on average their are 2.8-3.3million jobs advertised (not all of them are filled) and they Hire about 300-500K people over what is advertised.

Hello - Auto 101 -- Please, if you are going to post on sites learn correct usage of words, e.g. the word "THEIR" is meant to be used "Their cookies are really good." "...........2.8 million. on average their are...." this time it should be THERE. All of your uses of "THEIR" were incorrect -- should have been "THERE"

In WI we are going on 6 straight months of job losses, thanks to Gov Walkers policies. He scared away any new business to come to our state because he chose the BIG CORPORATION over a small business, now no one wants to invest, just goes to show what CAPITALISM is really all about.

Bambi,

Sorry are you going to give me a grade? Please get a life and stop being a spell Nazi.

Why don't you get yourself a life as well? Perhaps going for your GED would be a good start. Then maybe you could compose a post that would not look as lame as they do now. By the way, you obviously have pulled the numbers you cite out of your bung, and you have zero credibility as a result. Next time you feel like throwing numbers out, please include verifiable citations.

Perhaps going for your GED would be a good start.

I actually got an A in California for English they let me graduate with a third grade Reading and spelling level all with a 3.5 GPA. But you know I can get a job in hours making40-60K a year with no problem. it only takes a few hours. I have taught my self to read spelling is far more difficult being that English is the worlds only class 5 language. However I went through Vocational school with a 4.0 never missing a day and have mastered my Career

and you have zero credibility as a result. Next time you feel like throwing numbers out, please include verifiable citations

Those are actual numbers in 2007 the average was 5.5 million a month when we were at the height of losing job 600K in one month they hired 4.5 million people.Google is your friend.

You know this is just a blog? it is not a school essay.

If there is more money in circulation in the world today than in the histrory of mankind then why is there so much misery and unhappiness?

The is a statement that is incredibly relative. So much misery and unhappiness? I don't want to downplay anybody's troubles, but come on. If you are comparing mankind now to the "history of mankind", there is far less "misery and unhappiness".

On the money in circulation...the money is spread more over the whole world because of the global economy. The whole world is being lifted up...unfortunately by somewhat depressing the potential for our lifestyles in the US.

It is NOT the dysfunction of democracy and/or capitalism, it is the circumvention of democracy, (like Obama's recent recess appointments, his bypassing of congress, and his refusal to obey court orders), and the elimination of free market capitalism to be replaced with socialist crony capitalism.

p111, What's wrong with the new Bureau of Consumer Protection? Adam Smith would approve. He advocated that all parties to a transaction should have full, transparent information. If you don't have well educated people with full, transparent information, you really aren't practicing capitalism.

Randal

The problem with the Bureau of Consumer Protection is NO OVERSIGHT!!

Created by progressives, I think not.

lmao...Leslie please tell us all what progressive policies have caused you to work longer and harder? Don't start with the tax and spend nonsense either...your boys on the right have been spending and borrowing like a bunch of sub prime borrowers for 30 years...

It is indeed tax and spend. To be sure, republicans temporarily caught the disease, but they pail in comparison to democrats.

Bush ran $230 billion average deficits, Obama is running $1.3 trillion average. $230 billion is troubling but sustainable, $1.3 trillion is outrageous and NOT sustainable.

The more government leaches you have consuming wealth, the less the people who actually produce it will have. It not exactly rocket science.

p111, Bush did not run 230 billion dollar deficits. His last fiscal year budget which was September 2008 to September 2009 his deficit ended up being 1.4 Trillion. Please stop lying to America. His requested expenditures was 3.1 Trillion, which ended up being 3.5 Trillion due to over 7 million people losing there jobs and going on unemployment. His requested revenue was 2.7 Trillion, which ended up being 2.1 Trillion, again due to over 7 million people losing there jobs and not paying in to revenues. Bush's 2007 budget deficit was 400 billion. Again stop lying to Americans, its not very patriotic.

p111, Was the country better off right before Bush took office or right after? What happened in those 8 years that resulted in the difference? So you really want to do more of that?

spartan

THERE WAS NOT A BUDGET in 2008 2009 2010 just Continuing Resolutions. That means Congress just keeps spending without the constraints of a Budget. I wonder who controlled BOTH Houses of Congress in those years?? The last REPUBLICAN BUDGET WAS PASSED IN 2006 for FY 2007. The Deficit for 2007 was 161 Billion and that INCLUDES the Overseas Contingency Bills that paid for the Afghan and Iraq Wars.

Randal

Do you remember the DOT COM Bubble?? It broke in 2000 and continued until 2002 or so. Do you remember 9/11/2001?? Those effects went on for about 2 years. Do you remember Katrina 2005?? That effected the Economy for about a year or more.

Obama is trying to move the country in this direction, but his political opponents keep sending the message to go backward to the 1960's mentality, not forward. Sorry folks, those jobs are gone FOREVER (unless the entire economy melts down and we start living in tents). Wake up America! Your children's future depends on it.

Yep thats why wages have been sinking ever since Obama has taken over. Mm maybe he just needs to sign a few more free trade agreements with the third world and everything will get better.

-Sam

Yep thats why wages have been sinking ever since Obama has taken over

Middle-class earning power has been falling for over thirty years. Do your homework.

The fact remains that household incomes dropped more during the recovery than they did during the recession. That makes it official, Obama's cure is worse than the disease.

Here is an irrefutable fact, the more money you print, the less each dollar is worth. Obama has been causing the presses to be running 24/7 with his idiotic policies.

He is purposely devaluing the dollar. What that means is oil through the roof, food through the roof, health care through the roof, college through the roof, etc. Under Carter the dollar lost half it's value, Obama is on track to out do him.

p111, do you really know what you are saying. Obama has nothing to do with the cost of oil and food going up. They are commodities and traded on Wall Street. The real blame is Wall Street speculation and and lax regulations.

Problem is Republicans keep pushing to weaken every regulation to keep prices down. Blame your own party for making costs go up. All the republicans want to do is is deregulate everything as if big business will do things right. Like I really trust Bank of America or any big business to do right by me. It's all about big money and profit.

Also everything Obama and the Dems want to do to fix this sinking ship is blocked by the Republicans in Congress, and the necessity of a supermajority needed by the Dems in the Senate. Obama is unable to pass anything good (or bad) due to your party.

Make yourself more valuable to the company and you will do well. Unfortunately, you sound like you have a bad attitude. That will never advance your career.

Make yourself more valuable to the company. That advice might work with the younger crowd, as yet unexposed to workplace politics,backstabbing co-workers, bottom line management and the usual gang of corporate robots. try that "enhance your worth" line with some of us older workers and you may get laughter or cynical swearing. Once you're shoved around,taken for granted and passed over for the ever present shift brown nose, your attitude will change. Spare me the "meritocracy" bull.

Barb

Your right that's one of the ways a company can make more profit on less revenue.

It sounds like you have a good work ethic . Their just taking advantage of your good work ethics.

The Progressives have at least made an effort to stop the hemorrhaging of the economy. Had the "Free Market" been allowed to work its magic, the automobile industry would have failed, the banking industry would have failed, credit would have dried up completely and we would be a boat-load worse off than we are now.

Not a fan of big government and/ or large debt - but at least take an objective look at the "what if's". What if we would not have done anything, where would we be? Don't be so quick to point a finger without analyzing the entire picture.

What did you miss?? Both General Motors and Chrysler went bankrupt. Ford, Toyota, Honda and many other companies making cars in the U.S. did not go into bankruptcy and did not fail. What the government did was bail out the UAW to pay them back for support on election day. GM and Chrysler went into bankruptcy and then emerged just like many other companies have done, including many airlines.

Toyota, Honda and many other companies

Both recived bailout from their own countrys.

Hey, Letusreason, where the heck do you get that I have a bad attitude? The reason the extra work was given to me is because I AM valuable to the company, I have a great work ethic, and they can depend on me. And the more responsibilities I have, the more valuable I am. I've also had two promotions in the last 5 years. My point, which you obviously missed, is that there is another, large group of employees that doesn't seem to be considered when the discussion is about employment. And we are how a lot companies are holding the line on expenses. Pay attention next time you read something instead of insulting people!

Barb, don't you get it, you're NOT supposed to say anything according to "people" like letusNOTreason, you're supposed to just get down and kiss your boss's feet like a good little slave or serf and be grateful they will throw a few crumbs your way while working you to death.

And, this anti-worker attitude seems to be the NORM for the libertarian crowd, who seem to think that ONLY paper pushing thieves like romney, who STARTED life half between third and home and thinks he hit a home run, are worthy people.

Barb - You said the workload is just 'foisted' on the people who are still there. That really sounds like a bad attitude to me. Believe me, I am paying attention.

And, of course a company attempts to hold the line on expenses. That's how they stay in business and give you the employment that you obviously believe that you so richly deserve.

jesus either youre a rich elitest whos never worked a day in his or her life or a complete fool- either way your wrong! Companies are cutting benefits for workers an making them work more for less so they can shift those profits to themselves and their shareholders- people who make money off of others misery should be strung up as traitors to the country- i remember a wall street pundit on cnbc once laughing on air how the high cost of energy was great for his profit margins because he had invested in energy stocks- nevermind if poor people or the middle class have to struggle to pay their gas bill or skip dinner as long as the rich made more money then its all fine- damn lazy middle class socialists""""

I agree Letusreason.

We should all try to make do with less, and stop worrying about what the neighbors have. I live in a fairly affluent NJ town, only because of my wonderful FIL-he sold us his $400,000+ home for half of it's worth so that my husband, due to health issues, could have an 8 minute commute to work vs. the 50 mile commute he had when we lived in NY.

This town is dripping with money, and people here spend it like water. Fancy cars, clothes, homes, etc. There's people here having top of the line renovations done to their homes that I could only dream about for my 70+ year old home. It amazes me that there's so much money around considering the economic situation. No lack of employment in this area!!

No one in this town of mostly private sector workers are working 2 jobs-I can assure you of that. But if they lost their jobs tomorrow, they would be in serious trouble because of their lifestyles.

So, hey-I'll take my 7 year old car, my old home, used furniture, etc. anyday and avoid the stress of having to work 2 jobs to make ends meet.

For those of you who TRULY live below your means and still struggle-I feel for you, and this post was not intended for you.

This town is dripping with money, and people here spend it like water. Fancy cars, clothes, homes, etc. There's people here having top of the line renovations done to their homes that I could only dream about for my 70+ year old home. It amazes me that there's so much money around considering the economic situation. No lack of employment in this area!!

That is how most of the "rich" create jobs. The wealthy use their money to create more and are very frugal.

Most of the well off people where I live are hiring contractors to do various tasks to keep the economy going. This is more dignified than charity, as people feel they've earned what they've gotten. So both win, the wealthy get improvements and renovation, the less fortunate get real jobs for real work, no government intervention required.

Let's see YOU live on $10 an hour, even by yourself, in most major urban areas, before you start peddling that anti-worker and anti-labor tripe.

Letusreason, if it were that easy nobody would ever go into debt. Job loss, medical bills, and other unfortunate circumstances can put folks who never thought they'd find themsevles in financial trouble quickly in over their heads. Get off your holy high horse and put yourself in their shoes before you make such an ignorant, self-serving, and hubris laden comment as the one you made above.

Let's see YOU live on $10 an hour, even by yourself,

been there and done that.

keep spouting the corporate line- yes its the middle classes fault their jobs pay less and their bills are higher- noone doubts that alot of people made bad credit decisions but the bottom line is profits are or were at records highs for shareholders and big oil banks etc but meanwhile the middle class's wages continue to go south..... record wealth never seen in us history all funneled upward

Everyone I know is working as much as they want to. That's why they do surveys because individual anecdotes aren't reliable.

I guess it really does depend on the area you live in.

ok, my apologise, msnbc just posted the story.

And the numbers are still better than last year so things are slowly improving. But you can always look at the dark side.

I called this before last election. If republicans took both chambers the economy would take off, if they only won the house, the economy would recover but very slowly.

The difference is between taking active control of the situation vs. only being able to block the more insane policies.

I have been out of work nearly 3 years and apply to at least 5 jobs a day.

I suggest you take a good look at what you could be doing wrong. Don't give me the crap I don't do any thing wrong. Their are millions of people like me that can find a job in hours. For me it is because I choose a career in a nigh demand field that people don't last long in. My mother had the hardest time looking for a job in Reno it took him 3 weeks. That is the longest time it has ever taken him. For the last 8 years it has taken me hours to find one. My mother is a nurse and in Las Vegas she can get hired in hours and has had ever position in a nursing home including Administrator that does not stop her and she is 55 years old. Their are 3-4.5 million people hired every month.

Let's see........ 3 years and at least 5 applications per day? That would be 3,900 applications and not one job offer? Sounds like there may be more to that story.

It was men overwhelmingly that lost their jobs during the recession so it only stands to reason that the recovery be mostly men.

chumbkt: Your stupidity and ignorance is showing. Has nothing to do with Obama. Has to do with the Republican CEO's sending jobs overseas and BUSH #2 supporting Big Business, etc. Think before you write nonsense.

Actually you are both wrong. A lot of jobs were lost in construction. That means everything from engineers, drafters, administrators, accountants, and anyone else who worked for the industry were affected. And since women do go into engineering nowadays( a lot more than before), it does hit women harder when they can't find a job in construction; especially when the companies prefer men.

Keep in mind telling the truth. The unemployment numbers do include those who are no longer receiving unemployment benefits as well as those who never received them.

You are speaking of the U-6 unemployment numbers BTW3110. However, it is the U-3 numbers the administration and the mainstream media typically report. U-3 significantly under-reports the true unemployment rate.

The U3 number includes those who are unemployed but looking for work. This includes people who never received benefits, even those who never had a job. It does not include discouraged workers who are not looking for a job but those numbers are also a click away. I was trying to correct the misconception that the benefits number is used to come up with the unemployment number.

No, that's U6. It is something like 15%+.

You've been told TWICE that you are lying or misinformed, just take your education like a good boy BTW and let it go.

Because two people stated something on an internet forum does not make it true (we really did land on the moon). That people not receiving benefits are not counted is one of the most common myths perpetuated on the internet. If they only counted those receiving benefits the unemployment number would be around 5% not 8.5%.

From the Dept of Labor:

Unemployment claim numbers are not used to measure total unemployment because they exclude several important groups. To begin with, not all workers are covered by UI programs. For example, self-employed workers, unpaid family workers, workers in certain not-for-profit organizations, and several other small (primarily seasonal) worker categories are not covered. In addition, the insured unemployed exclude the following:

• Unemployed workers who have exhausted their benefits
• Unemployed workers who have not yet earned benefit rights (such as new entrants or reentrants to the labor force)
• Disqualified workers whose unemployment is considered to have resulted from their own actions rather than from economic conditions; for example, a worker discharged for misconduct on the job
• Otherwise eligible unemployed persons who do not file for benefit

They use a survey to come up with their numbers. So you can be angry you don't have a job, you don't like the survey methodology or that the number including discouraged or underemployed is not used more. Being angry because you don't think you are counted is a waste of emotional energy.

ryoushii12- If you get your education by believing everything you read in this forum you must be very confused most of the time.

And there you have the permanent problem - a permanent under class moving from job to job to job without ever accumulating any wealth, because they need to constantly restart from scratch. And this is the brave new libertarian economy of the future.

winker, we cannot all be upper middle class. And some people just want a JOB, not necessarily a career. An example would be homemakers who only want to bring in a little extra income, students, and just people whose priorities are something other than money or status. That would include people who call themselves "peace activitists" and the like because the things they do for money are not what defines them. It is simply not true that literally everyone wants or should have a "career' in your sense of the word, and there will never be enough careers to go around anyway.

I think that you could have gas at less than $3 a gallon, and it wouldn't make any difference at all.

Obama never said he would repeal NAFTA only try to renegotiate portions of it. It was a statement borne out of ignorance and an attempt to get more votes. Once in office he realized that NAFTA is not the problem. Both political parties support developing a more export oriented economy. That is why trade deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama were signed by Obama and approved by Congress with bipartisan support last year.

This may well be the new normal. Actually , I don't think anyone knows if this is a recession or not.

move to washington state then: boeing hired close to a thousand all union high paying jobs- key point being us born and bred corporation that treats its workers good and stays in the us unlike all the traitor corporations who outsource and say the union kills them- funny because the german auto industry is also union run( the union actually runs the floor at plants) and their pay and benefits are double those of us workers and yet they are thriving and germany- a socialist mixed capitalist run country has its lowest unemployment in 30 years which completely flies against the anti union right wing nonsense

And I'm retired and don't need to work at all. We aren't the issue. All those who are suffering are.

Justin, I totally admire anyone who can live on part time wages while pursuing more important interests. Have you read "Unjobbing, the Adult Liberation Handbook"? The title is a parody of "Unschooling, the Teenage Liberation Handbook" but it makes the very serious point that a paid career isn't for everyone and that you might well be happier as a guitar playing peace activist, as long as you can still support yourself and your children legitimately. For instance, you might give music lessons while you live in a used trailer on an acre of land, growing much of your food.

When senator Obama and other democrats took over congress they inherited 4.6% unemployment. It ramped up to 9% and stayed there for years. You don't go from 4.6% to 9% without destroying a lot of jobs. No amount of leftist propaganda can spin those numbers.

The economy started to decline in 2006 when Republicans controlled the House, Senate and White House, especially in the manufacturing states. Thats why the Dems won in 2006 and 2008, but the freight train was already in motion and hit full steam before the Dems had someone in the White House to pull the brakes. Nice try lying again.

spartan

Looks like the Democrats pulled the wrong handle. Unemployment has gone UP since April 2008.

7.8 unemployment when bush left and economists said the numbers would increase as it was the worst recession in 60 years- bush actually lost the most jobs in 6 months- 2.4 million with an average of 650,000 a month- it took obama 3 years to lose that much- blaming obama for it is laughable- the house was already on fire adn theres was nothing to put it out

You are correct. Another large part of the problems politicians can't control is that technology and automation are greatly reducing the need for middle class jobs. It is not really a case of "rich getting richer" but rather middle class falling behind.

not falling behind...being eradicated...