shah269 0 #1 June 11, 2011 Since I graduated in 2002 I can't think of a time where the unemployment has dropped significantly lower than say %7. All this reminds me of the year I worked in Europe where on average the unemployment or under employment was in or around the %10 mark. Thus my question is this, for the US is this our new "normal" state of existence with respect to our labor situation? And as such is it sustainable?Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 0 #2 June 11, 2011 Just this week I glanced at a headline that said this is the "new normal". Therefore it is. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #3 June 11, 2011 Economies are cyclical. They go up and they come down. The recession of the early 1980s was not good, unemployment was high and there are some parities between what happened then and now. But since huge aspects of manufacturing has left the western world (likely never to return) and we are not living in the same Cold War era (the USSR no longer exists) we are living in a era that we have never experienced like we have in the past. So yes there is a certain aspect of a "new normal" which we must adapt to. The world is changing and if people are not willing to adapt to these changes, they will be left behind. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jclalor 12 #4 June 11, 2011 What the unemployment stats do not show is what percentage of people are underployed. Quality jobs that have good benifits are fewer and fewer these days. I'm still confused, Bush told us when the rich got the tax breaks back in 2001, that with all the money they saved, they would be hiring tons of people. How could the unemployment rate be higher when he left office 7 years after the tax cuts? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 3 #5 June 11, 2011 QuoteI'm still confused, Bush told us when the rich got the tax breaks back in 2001, that with all the money they saved, they would be hiring tons of people. How could the unemployment rate be higher when he left office 7 years after the tax cuts? The people that got hired were in other countries.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #6 June 11, 2011 QuoteSince I graduated in 2002 I can't think of a time where the unemployment has dropped significantly lower than say %7. All this reminds me of the year I worked in Europe where on average the unemployment or under employment was in or around the %10 mark. Thus my question is this, for the US is this our new "normal" state of existence with respect to our labor situation? And as such is it sustainable? This is normal for the USA.... unlike that socialist European idea of taking care of their citizens with viable jobs and retirements and health care. That is why those who champion all that FREEDOM.. in the other thread would hate living there even more than they hate living here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #7 June 11, 2011 QuoteThis is normal for the USA.... unlike that socialist European idea of taking care of their citizens with viable jobs and retirements and health care. You need to pay closer attention to what is going on in Europe these days. Spain and Portugal have just rejected their incumbent socialist governments. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #8 June 11, 2011 QuoteQuoteThis is normal for the USA.... unlike that socialist European idea of taking care of their citizens with viable jobs and retirements and health care. You need to pay closer attention to what is going on in Europe these days. Spain and Portugal have just rejected their incumbent socialist governments. WHOOOOSH I will bet they did not lose the benefits they have acquired though... Medical benefits that work for the majority of people... jobs for the majority of people.... retirements at a decent age without living in poverty... you know... like you have up there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #9 June 11, 2011 Newsflash for you. The unemployment rate is Spain is much worse than the unemployment rate in the USA. When Spain and Portugal both reject socialism, you know something is up. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #10 June 11, 2011 QuoteNewsflash for you. The unemployment rate is Spain is much worse than the unemployment rate in the USA. When Spain and Portugal both reject socialism, you know something is up. Would you rather be unemployed there.. or here in the USA??? Face it.. their system works for their people... and they are no where near your wet dream of serfdom capatalism as this country is progressing to with a very few haves... and a very large group of have nothing. I think when that happens.. the Have Nothings are going to exercise some of those Sharon Angle 2nd Amendment options to remove the oligarchs once and for all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deltron80 0 #11 June 11, 2011 QuoteSince I graduated in 2002 I can't think of a time where the unemployment has dropped significantly lower than say %7. All this reminds me of the year I worked in Europe where on average the unemployment or under employment was in or around the %10 mark. Thus my question is this, for the US is this our new "normal" state of existence with respect to our labor situation? And as such is it sustainable? Keep in mind the statistics are quite different as well. In Europe they include their prison population in their "unemployed" numbers. We do not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
devildog 0 #12 June 12, 2011 QuoteSince I graduated in 2002 I can't think of a time where the unemployment has dropped significantly lower than say %7. All this reminds me of the year I worked in Europe where on average the unemployment or under employment was in or around the %10 mark. Thus my question is this, for the US is this our new "normal" state of existence with respect to our labor situation? And as such is it sustainable? http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000 2006 4.7 4.8 4.7 4.7 4.6 4.6 4.7 4.7 4.5 4.4 4.5 4.4 2007 4.6 4.5 4.4 4.5 4.4 4.6 4.7 4.6 4.7 4.7 4.7 5.0 There's 2 years mainly in the 4% range 2002-2005 ranged from 6.3 - 4.9%You stop breathing for a few minutes and everyone jumps to conclusions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 3 #13 June 12, 2011 I recall an economics class a million years ago where the prof said a true unemployment rate of about 5% would be ideal. It would be enough to give business a slight edge so they didn't have to hire just anyone who walked in off the street, but still low enough so there would be enough consumers to buy products. The "unemployment" numbers that currently get flung around are woefully out of whack with reality and there aren't enough consumers to support a lot of "optional" industries.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #14 June 12, 2011 Quote The "unemployment" numbers that currently get flung around are woefully out of whack with reality and there aren't enough consumers to support a lot of "optional" industries. out of whack FOR sure...If the 10 % number is accurate... then that would mean that every 9 people out of 10, ARE Employed..... and That simply is NOT the case...the Unemployment Numbers are so skewed, it is hard to believe.. If we were to take a survey of EVERYONE between the ages of 18 and say, 60..... and asked them a simple question, for which the answer is either Yes or No.....we'd be shocked at the answers... The question??? " Do you NOW, have a full time ( at least 32 hrs a week) J O B ....??? ..i'd wager that there are more people NOT working... than there are Working.... i see it every day while driving though my city... CROWDS of people accomplishing mostly nothing, loitering on sidewalks and front porches, contributing little , to the well being of their very communitites, ignoring the Tons and TONS of litter and debris that foul their neighborhoods, and each of them wondering.. "where can i go, to arrange for MY monthy support check" ?..There are folks in their 30 and 40's who have NEVER had a job...Many of those are financially crippled. But there are also the "affluent unemployed" those who are spouses of a well to do worker, or family members of someone who is in the UPPER echelon of income recipients...and who therefore don't HAVE to work... They are technically Unemployed.. but NEVER are factored into the statistics.... The unemployment "statistics" do NOT include any of those who have never had a job, or who have been chronically unemployed for years and years, But rather only count those who are actively collecting unemployment benefits.... when those benefits have run their course... those people are No Longer included, as "unemployed" I'd say out current rate of unemploymnet is Waaaay above 50 %....maybe above 60 % "Everybody wants a JOB, but NOT everybody wants to Work" quote by jmy tavino jt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #15 June 12, 2011 It's amazing every year since I have graduated I have made more money and thus feel rather fortunate. Yet I can't help but wonder what is going on and why I personally feel very little confidence in the economy. Yes the unemployment numbers are higher than average and much higher recently but things should not be that bad on paper. Perhaps it's the sinking housing market, the unstable energy market or perhaps it simply the deadly stagnant economy but boy do things feel a bit bad. And perhaps this feeling of stagnation is the new normalLife through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,435 #16 June 12, 2011 >but boy do things feel a bit bad. I think they just feel bad because the late 90's Internet boom and the mid-2000's housing bubbles were so big. Compared to the stagflation of the 1970's we're doing pretty well overall, and unemployment was worse in the 1982-1983 time frame. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #17 June 12, 2011 Quote Keep in mind the statistics are quite different as well. In Europe they include their prison population in their "unemployed" numbers. We do not. You do realise that Europe is a continent not a country - right? So, are you saying that All countries over here count the prison population in the unemployment figures - If not, your statement is incorrect and thus invalid. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #18 June 12, 2011 Quote>but boy do things feel a bit bad. I think they just feel bad because the late 90's Internet boom and the mid-2000's housing bubbles were so big. Compared to the stagflation of the 1970's we're doing pretty well overall, and unemployment was worse in the 1982-1983 time frame. That could be it. Thus is this our new normal rate of growth? Or shall I call it steady state of blah.....where we grow just enough to keep ourselves out of the poor house mean while cooperation are being pushed by pensions to continually spit out double digit returns?Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,435 #19 June 12, 2011 >Thus is this our new normal rate of growth? I don't think there is any "normal" rate of growth. There are bubbles and drawbacks, boom times and recessions. I can't think of any economy that has simply steadily grown for centuries without pause or reversal. Indeed, relying on steady growth in anything is not a realistic expectation IMO; every other system we've ever run into hits eventual limits to continued expansion. I think we'd be wiser to work on how to continue to provide a relatively high standard of living, rather than trying to continue to grow without limit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfzombie 3 #20 June 13, 2011 one thing the unemployment rate doesn't take into acount is actual unemployment. the numbers are people filing claims, not people who don't have jobs. i know at least a couple of people who've ran out of benefits, and at least one ineligible. a lot of people i know only qulify for less than $150 a week so they don't bother to file.http://kitswv.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #21 June 14, 2011 When I was living and working in Europe, I recall the unemployment being higher than it was in the US but the peole never feard that they would loose their homes nor go hungry due to the support of the state.Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #22 June 14, 2011 QuoteWhen I was living and working in Europe, I recall the unemployment being higher than it was in the US but the peole never feard that they would loose their homes nor go hungry due to the support of the state. Oh those evil socialists.... how dare they wish to have a better life for their people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #23 June 14, 2011 QuoteQuoteWhen I was living and working in Europe, I recall the unemployment being higher than it was in the US but the peole never feard that they would loose their homes nor go hungry due to the support of the state. Oh those evil socialists.... how dare they wish to have a better life for their people. Well.....it's also a very smart way to help their economy recover. You see when you are not worried to death of going hungry or loosing your house odds are you will continue to spend money to keep the economy going. Funny thing, my taxes there were 40% my taxes here in the US? Are about the same. So go figure? Such is life i guess.Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #24 June 14, 2011 QuoteQuoteQuoteWhen I was living and working in Europe, I recall the unemployment being higher than it was in the US but the peole never feard that they would loose their homes nor go hungry due to the support of the state. Oh those evil socialists.... how dare they wish to have a better life for their people. Well.....it's also a very smart way to help their economy recover. You see when you are not worried to death of going hungry or loosing your house odds are you will continue to spend money to keep the economy going. Funny thing, my taxes there were 40% my taxes here in the US? Are about the same. So go figure? Such is life i guess. Seee there ya go... At least there you get something for your 40% Most of the rubes herre have not figured out they are not getting value for all the money they are paying for taxes so they wish to pay less.. until you tell them its going to cut into THEIR favorite way to get money.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #25 June 14, 2011 Yes well....but the education level in the EU is much much MUCh higher than it is here in the US. I don't know if it would ever work here.Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
