The Real Unemployment Rate

[RIJIMMY]

I lost 50% of my team in 2008. Less than a year later, all of them had new jobs, some multiple new jobs. They took the first job offered and then took a better one when it came along. 75% were in RI. Most are making the same or more $. Dont let statistics hold you down.
I guess everyone didnt get the memo the last 20 yrs that more and more people are college educated, more and more global competition, more and more deman for highly skilled workers. The rich arent getting rich - the days of old money are mostly over. The entrepeneurs, the risk takers and the people always looking for something better are getting rich. Times have drastically changed, we need to as well.

[fishpoopoo]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

Times have drastically changed, we need to as well.

Yes, times have drastically changed.

True, the labor force has gotten a lot more competitive. As a result, folks without college degrees have probably felt it the most.

I think what really has hurt this country is the dwindling number of higher-paying manufacturing jobs, and the proliferation of unskilled "service" jobs.

Don't get me wrong - all work is noble. But folks can make more money making gizmos for export than ringing up the register at the local Mao-Mart.

There are several factors that have led to a decline in the number of manufacturing jobs in this country.

They include

1) aggressive labor unions that have driven labor costs higher and have pushed jobs to overseas markets;

2) onerous federal and state government regulations that did the same;

3) technological advancements that replace manual labor;

4) lower cost of labor in developing markets; and

5) the seeming lack of will amongst Americans to build a better widget that people want to buy.

#1 and #2 have political solutions.

#3 is unavoidable.

#4 can be partially addressed by #1 and #2.

#5 ... ?

Some folks will argue that as an economy moves to more services-based industry, that it is a sign of progress. I think that is total bull$hit. A strong economy is one that has a good chunk of manufactured goods for export.

We're almost the exact opposite. We collectively buy cheap imported rubber dog poo made in China. And the worst part is we do it on our credit cards, with money printed by the federal reserve.

What a racket.

[Typhoon]

Bureau of Lying Statistics

Nine States Did Not File Initial Claims Data Due To Labor Day, Hundreds Of Thousands Of Estimates In Data "Beat" | zero hedge

[fishpoopoo]

Originally Posted by Typhoon

Bureau of Lying Statistics

Never mind the guys at Zero Hedge, check this out as to why you're not too far from the truth regarding the Bureau of Lying Statistics:

Employment and Unemployment

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by fishpoopoo

Some folks will argue that as an economy moves to more services-based industry, that it is a sign of progress. I think that is total bull$hit. A strong economy is one that has a good chunk of manufactured goods for export.

Bingo, a service- based economy is doomed to failure. As people lose jobs
and money gets tight, the first thing they cut back on is services.

Might I add in addition to a good manufacturing industry economy, one based on agriculture is just as important.
People need to eat.