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84,000 lost their jobs this month and employment rate sored to 6.1%----Is this economic progress?

Chocolat-In the universe I trust. September 05, 2008 18:04:46

For the 8th month in a row, a total of 650,000 job loses. The number of unemployed persons rose by 592,000 to 9.4 million in August,
and the unemployment rate increased by 0.4 percentage point to 6.1 percent.
Over the past 12 months, the number of unemployed persons has increased by
2.2 million and the unemployment rate has risen by 1.4 percentage points,
with most of the increase occurring over the past 4 months. (See table A-1.)

In August, the unemployment rates for adult men (5.6 percent), adult women (5.3 percent), whites (5.4 percent), blacks (10.6 percent), and Hispanics (8.0 percent) rose, while the jobless rate for teenagers was little changed at 18.9 percent. The unemployment rate for Asians was 4.4 percent in August, not seasonally adjusted. Among the unemployed, the number of persons who lost their last job rose by 417,000 to 4.8 million in August, with increases occurring among those on temporary layoff and those who do not expect to be recalled to work. Over the last 4 months, the number of unemployed job losers has increased by 810,000.
In August, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) rose by 163,000 to 1.8 million, an increase of 589,000 over the past 12 months. The newly unemployed--those who were jobless fewer than 5 weeks increased by 400,000 over the month.
Total Employment and the Labor Force (Household Survey Data)
The civilian labor force, at 154.9 million, was about unchanged in August, and the labor force participation rate remained at 66.1 percent. Total employment, at 145.5 million, was little changed from July. The employment-population ratio fell over the month to 62.1 percent in August, down 1.3 percentage points from its most recent high of 63.4 percent in December 2006.

In August, the number of persons who worked part time for economic reasons was essentially unchanged at 5.7 million. This category includes persons who indicated that they would like to work full time but were working part time because their hours had been cut back or they were unable to find full-time jobs.
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  • +6 raves JESUS WAS A COMMUNITY ORGAN... September 05, 2008 18:49:43
    JESUS WAS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, PILATE WAS A REPUBLICAN

    No--please elaborate why you believe this is not progress

    ...and McSame says the Bush Economy has prospered??

    Progress would be the plummeting rate of unemployment under Bill Clinton.
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  • roger September 05, 2008 22:09:25
    roger

    Undecided

    I don't know what is the Senators and Congresspersons doing about it! I think Democrats are on vacation and Republicans are on the floor...at least that is what I hear.
  • +2 raves
    Edventure September 05, 2008 21:21:59
    Edventure

    No--please elaborate why you believe this is not progress

    We better give bigger tax breaks to the wealthiest, corps and oil cos. And just because high unemployment give the corps a better pool to pick from and pay less at the same time, the republican way. "Republebonics"
  • +2 raves
    superllelu September 05, 2008 21:15:02
    superllelu

    No--please elaborate why you believe this is not progress

    pretty obvious why this is not good! It causes a chain effect
  • +1 raves
    M&Ms superllelu September 07, 2008 19:26:18
    M&Ms
    Yeah, it's Reagan's trickle down theory......
  • +4 raves
    crsone September 05, 2008 20:42:48
    crsone

    No--please elaborate why you believe this is not progress

    and that needs no elaboration -- it's plain on it's face. Unemployment up, more jobs lost, housing market still in turmoil, stock market wild, staple prices up ... it's not nice out there.
  • +4 raves
    Not Einstein September 05, 2008 19:29:24
    Not Einstein

    Undecided

    Oh great, now another 650,000 whiners will be on the dole! They all have mental recessions! Get a job at McDonalds!
  • +4 raves
    Chocola... Not Ein... September 05, 2008 19:39:16
    Chocolat-In the universe I trust.
    Isn't it insulting to tell a professional to get a job at McDonalds, cut our losts, sell your house and live without insurance. Great plan!
  • +3 raves
    Not Ein... Chocola... September 05, 2008 20:38:22
    Not Einstein
    Exactly!
  • +4 raves
    sadiesmom Chocola... September 05, 2008 20:47:29 (edited)
    sadiesmom
    They won't get a job at McD's...the managers will think they are over qualified..so, there goes that argument!
  • +3 raves
    Chocola... sadiesmom September 05, 2008 20:59:04
    Chocolat-In the universe I trust.
    Exactly! Any job they apply for that is less than what they have done or salary paying less than what they have earned. They would have better luck looking for a needle in a haystack.
  • +3 raves
    maveric... sadiesmom September 05, 2008 21:04:08
    mavericky ~ In Godot We Trust
    That's the problem I am running into. I had decided to settle for a fulltime and a parttime job (to bring me to a livable wage) but they are wary about hiring me under my pay grade, because they assume (ok, know) that as soon as things turn around I'll be looking for something where I only have to work one job.
  • +2 raves
    sadiesmom maveric... September 05, 2008 21:05:47
    sadiesmom
    Not only that Ricky..in some cases you are probably much smarter and more educated than those that would be your boss..it scares them and their job security!
  • +3 raves
    maveric... sadiesmom September 05, 2008 21:11:28
    mavericky ~ In Godot We Trust
    I don't go in there with that mentality though! I assume that anyone in a boss-like position worked hard to get there and I totally respect that (and don't want their jobs :-) I've even lied about my previous salary! Usually you would inflate it to try for more money - I subtracted 15,000! Three interviews this week and two so far next week... Don't get me wrong I like all of you - but I spend too much time with you guys! I need to get back to work...
  • +1 raves
    Chocola... maveric... September 05, 2008 21:14:10
    Chocolat-In the universe I trust.
    We love you too and we understand. How long have you been looking?
  • +1 raves
    maveric... Chocola... September 05, 2008 21:18:48
    mavericky ~ In Godot We Trust
    Two months... even the temp agencies are in tough shape these days. Another problem with them - they pay between 10 and 13 dollars an hour and my unemployment equals 14 an hour. I don't mind making less if there is the possibility that it will lead to something else soon - but I'm not going to cut off my nose to spite my face.
  • +2 raves
    Chocola... maveric... September 05, 2008 21:26:31
    Chocolat-In the universe I trust.
    I agree, the temp agencies are extremely slow. I have never seen anything like it.
  • +3 raves
    sadiesmom maveric... September 05, 2008 21:19:23
    sadiesmom
    lol..I didn't mean that you walked in with that attitude..I used to be a manager of retail operations and when an ap came along and the person was a white collar worker, the first thing some others would ask was, why would they want to work here? how could they afford to work here? why aren't they working in their field?

    You see..not all people pay attention to what is happening in the world and they think that it's all rosy because their particular store is making money...and I for one, will miss you when you get your employment...which I know you will!
  • +3 raves
    maveric... sadiesmom September 05, 2008 21:24:40
    mavericky ~ In Godot We Trust
    Another odd thing - when I was working, I was able to focus on my school work better too. Everything had to be structured and I know when I needed to be doing what. Now, I have trouble scheduling work time... let me check my email, let me check Soda Head (for hours), and I'm not sure where the time goes. I was far more productive with my personal time when I had less of it.
  • +2 raves
    Chocola... maveric... September 05, 2008 21:06:05
    Chocolat-In the universe I trust.
    The catch twenty-two. I have experience that myself.
  • +4 raves
    RobAlb September 05, 2008 19:24:10
    RobAlb

    No--please elaborate why you believe this is not progress

    I'm working an enjoyable job doing things I like doing, but getting paid less than half what I used to make 7 years ago. At this point--just glancing around, you know--I'm just glad to have ANY work at all.

    Even the rallies in the stock market are about things like, "Company ABC posted quarterly losses that were less than expected." Oh, yeah, let's rally around that! Or, how about, "Mega Corp. posts 3rd quarter profit by cutting 5,000 jobs." Talk about your economic boon.
  • +5 raves
    M&Ms September 05, 2008 19:08:47 (edited)
    M&Ms

    No--please elaborate why you believe this is not progress

    Progress? This is disastrous! No one expected the unemployment figures to plummet so deeply this summer and all year, for that matter. When people don't work, they also don't buy, and the economy goes into recession. Of course, we also have inflation, thanks to the oil crisis. Meantime, while Cheney just pledged 1 billion dollars to Georgia to aid its battle against Russia, our inner cities are crumbling, crime is on the rise. There is a snowball effect that must be stopped. Clearly the only hope is in electing Obama and a Democratic Congress.
  • +6 raves
    JESUS WAS A COMMUNITY ORGAN... September 05, 2008 18:49:43
    JESUS WAS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, PILATE WAS A REPUBLICAN

    No--please elaborate why you believe this is not progress

    ...and McSame says the Bush Economy has prospered??

    Progress would be the plummeting rate of unemployment under Bill Clinton.
  • +6 raves
    sadiesmom September 05, 2008 18:41:34
    sadiesmom

    No--please elaborate why you believe this is not progress

    And, we are asked for more of the same???

    Yes, we've had a barely Democratic controlled Congress since 1/07..but, when you have a president that vetoes any and everything that crosses his desk that might help any one other than oil people and when Gramm set the precedent for the mortgage fiasco..keep blaming the Dems..that'll help!
  • +3 raves
    ~So~Sue~Me~N God JESUS I trust September 05, 2008 18:12:24
    ~So~Sue~Me~N God JESUS I trust

    Undecided

    Who can afford to DRIVE to work.

    People have to get a second job to afford to get to the first one.
  • +1 raves
    awaax September 05, 2008 18:10:25
    awaax

    Yes- please elaborate why this is progress

    gas elaborate progress gas
  • +1 raves
    kmay September 05, 2008 18:07:37
    kmay

    No--please elaborate why you believe this is not progress

    It's due to the DEMOCRAT controlled "do nothing" in an election year congress!! Expect more of the same if Obama is elected!
  • +4 raves
    Chocola... kmay September 05, 2008 18:10:29
    Chocolat-In the universe I trust.
    You are full of it. The democrats are not responsible for the job losses.
  • kmay Chocola... September 05, 2008 18:19:03 (edited)
    kmay
    who is responsible?
  • +5 raves
    Chocola... kmay September 05, 2008 18:38:38
    Chocolat-In the universe I trust.
    You! How can you blame the democrats? The republican believe the way to create jobs and keep up employment is to give large business and corporation tax incentives. Bush gave them those incentives, they shipped the jobs overseas, and we have the highest unemployment rate in the last 5 years and are in a recession.

    Please, can you explain why those tax incentives did not keep the jobs in American and why a total of 650,000 people are unemployed?
  • kmay Chocola... September 05, 2008 21:13:32 (edited)
    kmay
    The unemployment rate is not due to oversees jobs. We are not in a recession [we have not had 2 quarters of no growth]. We are in a period of slow growth. A downturn in the business cycles correlates with the unemployment rising. I can't give you a course in Econ 101 and Macroeconomics.

    Tax incentives work. Obama cannot tell business what to do anymore than any president can.

    We are not the nanny states of America. The Gov. is not there to take care of you from cradle to grave nor are they to engage in the re-distribution of wealth [that is socialism]. We the people are the government and we decide what's best for us according to the constitution. Our Reps work for us not themselves.
  • Chocola... kmay September 05, 2008 21:22:47
    Chocolat-In the universe I trust.
    I don't need a course in neither macro or micro economics. I have had them. You are giving me the technical definition of an recession and you sound like Bushes twin. We are in a recession. We have all the signs of a recession. Banks are closing. 600,000 people have lost their jobs in the last 5 months, a rise in foreclosures etc. You can use your text book definition, but the signs are telling we are in a recession and have been for some time.
    Slow down my azz.

    Where is my comments do you see me asking for a hand out or the government to take care of me? You should really get your head out you rear. Where is the constitutions doe he state to give large business and corporations tax incentives? Where in the constitution doe it state we must be Christians and have our government based on the bible? Where in our constitution does he state the government can tell us when we can or can not have an abortion....

    You are right, we do decide what is best for our society, buy the constitution and by the demand for change with a changing society.
  • kmay Chocola... September 05, 2008 22:15:24
    kmay
    Not a Change to SOCIALISM!

    Rest is your opinion.
  • +5 raves
    Hairles... kmay September 05, 2008 18:54:15
    HairlessKat the Gnostic
    how do ya figure we will get more of the same if Obama wins,, considering its as you said a DEMOCRATIC controlled congress? The only way to turn the tide is to get a DEMOCRAT in the white house... it may not be change the wealthy and oil stock holders want,, but it will actually get something happening again.

    Thats very backwards friend.... if McCain wins we will remain mired in this 'divided' house .... they are both conservative republicans which means atleast anouther 2 years of the same BS we are having to deal with now.
  • +5 raves
    M&Ms Hairles... September 05, 2008 19:13:16
    M&Ms
    And McCain has stated he's not very interested in economics. Gee whiz...but he dares to run for POTUS? Let's send him back to his 7 houses to retire.
  • +4 raves
    Chocola... M&Ms September 05, 2008 19:16:31
    Chocolat-In the universe I trust.
    He prove he was not interested or knowledgable in the economy because no where in his speech did he give substance to solving issues. Not once has McCain state where any money is coming from the new energy sources, he has offered to pay 500,000 to the person who develop alternative energy. Where is the money coming from....Cindy?
  • kmay Chocola... September 05, 2008 21:13:26
    kmay
    New energy sources come from businesses developing them and they make money!

    Incentive you quote was from him not our pockets like Obama's !
  • +1 raves
    Chocola... kmay September 05, 2008 21:23:55 (edited)
    Chocolat-In the universe I trust.
    Therefore, McCain and Cindy are paying for the incentives to all propose plans to change our economy? Wow, I missed that speech. I have grown weary of this conversation with you. As expected, you can not answer the question because McCain did not address any of these issue, including our economy in his speech.

    Thanks for the non chat.
  • kmay Chocola... September 05, 2008 22:17:30
    kmay
    Typical popinjay remark of a closed minded liberal.

    Chat is not in your vocabulary.
  • Chocola... kmay September 05, 2008 22:57:01
    Chocolat-In the universe I trust.
    No one is more close minded the republicans. You consider others closed minded when they disagree with you. That is not closed mindedness.
  • kmay Chocola... September 06, 2008 11:41:02
    kmay
    Not at all when it's common sense intelligence.

    You need to look in the mirror.
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