So, Who's Unemployed?

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In an economic history that hints a cycle that demonstrates the big guys downsize and the laid-off start their own businesses to flourish and one-day become some of the big guys again, why do we continue to ignore these budding businesses? Today's business owners, shop owners, and self-employed of any kind, cannot access unemployment compensation or government assistance programs. A new meaning of the word "Broke" arises. And, they aren't even counted as part of the struggling masses! I am sick of numbers, trends, regional dissections, and all of the sort. Frankly, there's not an ounce of accurate illustration in any of them. I live in an area that boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates strictly because there are union building projects on area hospital expansions and a new casino. If my self-employed contractor husband attempted to take a 65% pay-cut by joining a union at the lowest level,loyalty to fellow union members from other geographic regions trumps the selection when hiring.

Does the new stimulus package include any encouragement to the aspiring entrepeneur? Simply, no.

Tracey of Pittsburgh of PA 8:03AM February 01, 2009

Add the U6 numbers that the government does keep track of. The U6 figures are the number of workers who have fallen off the radar that the media doesn't report. As of December the number is around 14 percent for total unemployment and rising. Clinton had those taken off the tally that the displaced number of workers unemployed could be massaged to look better for Wall Street.

I have to say this for you Barone. If your IQ was one point lower, you would be a rock. Hence the term, "Dumber than a box of rocks".

Jeff of WI 10:41PM January 29, 2009

In a speech in Texas 2007, Obama said

"undocumented workers don't come here to drive cars"

(at that time they were killing Tennesseans(whole families)

Obama also said "we cannot deport 12,000,000"

(it was more like 20,000,000 at the time)

IF AMNESTY REARS ITS UGLY HEAD AT A TIME WHEN LEGAL AMERICANS ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS, I PITY NANCY PELOSI, HARRY REID AND BARACK OBAMA. There are some things the silent majority will not stand for!

Mary of TN 4:02AM January 29, 2009

With such high unemployment in much of the country, President Obama should shelve his plans for "comprehensive immigration reform" a/k/a mass amnesty. With hundreds of thousands of Americans losing their jobs monthly, now is most certainly NOT the time to be scheming up ways to legalize millions of illegal foreign workers!

Stan of GA 1:56AM January 29, 2009

How long before they decide to can you! Sooner rather than later especially writing something as lame as the above. Let me add a tid bit to yours and the other reply.

How about All those who have Closed down Shop, Private Contractors, acroos a whole spectrum of businesses, who don't show up at all in any unemployment figures, or the ones working part time now that they can't full.

You really need a Huge refresher in Journalism, or rather start right at the beginning, you missed an awful lot drinking the sour economic koolaid that's been passed around since 'trickle down' was first spoken!!

James Starowicz of NC 7:50PM January 28, 2009

does the government count the millions who have fallen off the radar: those whose benefits have run out, those who are working part-time because they can't find full time work or the "under-employed folks, who were in high paying jobs, who are now asking, "You want fries with that order?"

Most of us know the government manipulates inflation stats to suit their purposes as well.

Still hopin' for "change" I can believe in - though not holding my breath

R.L. Schaefer of CA 2:07PM January 28, 2009

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Michael Barone

Michael Barone

Michael Barone is a senior writer for U.S.News & World Report and principal coauthor of The Almanac of American Politics. He has written for many publications—including the Economist and the New York Times.

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