General Discussion

stopbush

(24,396 posts) Fri Oct 5, 2012, 01:00 PM Oct 2012

Remember, 7.8% Unemployed = 92.2% Employed

While unemployment is still fairly high (and I should know - I'm currently unemployed), the fact is that most of the workforce is employed.

That may be one reason why the slow growth in the job market doesn't seem to hurt President Obama all that much. People know he's doing all he can. People know the Rs are obstructing him at every turn. But most of all, the vast majority of people do have jobs.

And, the numbers and the economy are going in the right direction.

I still maintain that contrary to what the punditry has been telling us for 3 years, the economy is NOT going to be a major factor in this election. People are giving President Obama a pass on the economy. They still blame it on bush.

Right direction/wrong direction is the overriding factor here, NOT the actual numbers on a given day.

6 replies

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Remember, 7.8% Unemployed = 92.2% Employed (Original Post) stopbush Oct 2012 OP

It seems like the glass is half full, but I respectfully disagree... joycejnr Oct 2012 #1

except the real unemployment numbers are a lot higher quinnox Oct 2012 #2

No it doesn't. Look at u5 which adds in people who want a job but have given up dkf Oct 2012 #3

And then there are those who don't factor into it at all. TheMadMonk Oct 2012 #6

I don't want to rain on your parade or anything BECUASE 7.8% is a great number BUT that number diabeticman Oct 2012 #4

I agree that right direction/wrong direction is what counts but cali Oct 2012 #5

joycejnr

(326 posts)

1. It seems like the glass is half full, but I respectfully disagree...

Reply to stopbush (Original post)

Fri Oct 5, 2012, 01:06 PM

Oct 2012

...that 7.8 is a good number. Clinton proved that the old Republican saw that unemployment could and should never dip below 4.5%. The reason the Cons want higher numbers is to discourage workers from getting uppity. When unemployment is low, more jobs are available and employees can walk if work conditions, pay, and benefits suck.

My God, did you create Conservatives to torment the rest of us?

quinnox

(20,600 posts)

2. except the real unemployment numbers are a lot higher

Reply to stopbush (Original post)

Fri Oct 5, 2012, 01:07 PM

Oct 2012

than that, of course. They drop long term unemployed workers every so often and other "tweaks". The government in general plays games with these numbers to make them look better, and that goes for both parties.

dkf

(37,305 posts)

3. No it doesn't. Look at u5 which adds in people who want a job but have given up

Reply to stopbush (Original post)

Fri Oct 5, 2012, 01:08 PM

Oct 2012

U6 adds in those who are underemployed...who are working part time for example.

TheMadMonk

(6,187 posts)

6. And then there are those who don't factor into it at all.

Reply to dkf (Reply #3)

Fri Oct 5, 2012, 01:23 PM

Oct 2012

House spouses. Professionally dependent adult children. Trust fund weenies.

On the other hand, it's not that long ago, that close to 50% of the population weren't counted at all.

diabeticman

(3,121 posts)

4. I don't want to rain on your parade or anything BECUASE 7.8% is a great number BUT that number

Reply to stopbush (Original post)

Fri Oct 5, 2012, 01:09 PM

Oct 2012

doesn't factor in those who have falling off the unemployment books and are still without a job. So the number doesn't always tell the full story

cali

(114,904 posts)

5. I agree that right direction/wrong direction is what counts but

Reply to stopbush (Original post)

Fri Oct 5, 2012, 01:10 PM

Oct 2012

you're wrong about employment. Many people have given up on looking. The real unemployment figure is undoubtedly higher than 7.8. There's no debate about that.

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