A Dumb ? about job stats.

mr-pirk · 03-20-2004, 07:37 PM

I have noticed when on the news they talk about jobs lost versus jobs created and such. They also give a number for "people who quit looking for jobs". This may sound dumb but I have been wondering just what they mean by certian stats showing X number of job seekers who have quit looking for a job. Does this number mean the number of people whos un-employment benefits have ran out and they drop out of the job tracking system or what? Thanks.
Mr-Pirk

Dave590 · 03-20-2004, 08:07 PM

It quite frankly all depends upon who is compiling the statistics, and what their agenda is.

"First time" applicants is a good guage in determining how many jobs are being lost at any given time. However, first time does not necessarily mean that it is that persons "First time" to collect unemployment insurance, just that it is the first time in a long time.

"Stopped receiving benifits" is a rather vague statement in that it could mean any number of things,,,from running OUT of benifits, to getting a job, to starting a new business.

Statistics,,,REGARDLESS of the source are a hard thing to guage...They are almost ALWAYS skewed towards one objective or another.

However, I think that the department of labor keeps pretty good records, and even if a persons benifits have run out, IF...They are still actively seeking a job, then they are still in the files as "seeking".

So, It would be a good guess to say: either those folks now HAVE work, or they quit asking the department of labor for leads.

PABuck_HNTR · 03-20-2004, 11:11 PM

Can anyone tell me?

If Bill Clinton Created 22,000,000 jobs and his lowest unemployment numbers were at 5.6% (it averaged 5.8% by the way)

How does Bush losing a supposed 3,000,000 jobs and unemployment is at 5.6% work out?

Is there some fuzzy math going on in Democrat spin machine and the press?

CODave · 03-20-2004, 11:17 PM

I know how we could get rid of all this unemployment tomorrow.

Quit paying folks to stay home.

There are plenty of jobs. Maybe, not high paying... but there are jobs. And frankly some industries are being hurt because of the welfare system... because they have a hard time finding workers and there are people getting paid to stay home.

Some people have too much pride to take a lowly position even temporarily.... but not too much pride to take a hand out

Coastie · 03-21-2004, 03:43 AM

As of Friday March 26 at 5 PM, I will lose my job due to a "Force Management Plan" due to my age and years service, I will also retire effective March 27th. I do need a job and will find one shortly, but, since I am retiring will I be considered amongst the un-employed? If I am, and start my own business, will I then be considered as one who has quit looking or will I be considered employed? From many of the articles I have seen written on the subject, I won't be counted among either the employed or the un-employed. I will fall into a statistical black hole and will or may be considered among those that have just given up.
Since I am "Retiring" I cannot claim un-employment benefits, therefore I am not included in the unemployment statistics. If I choose to become a contractor to the industry I am most familiar with, I am not considered employed even though I could potentially earn more than I have as a salaried worker for corporate entity.
Labor department statistics don't tell the whole story and never have.

Rem. 222 · 03-21-2004, 08:03 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: CODave

I know how we could get rid of all this unemployment tomorrow.

Quit paying folks to stay home.

There are plenty of jobs. Maybe, not high paying... but there are jobs. And frankly some industries are being hurt because of the welfare system... because they have a hard time finding workers and there are people getting paid to stay home.

Some people have too much pride to take a lowly position even temporarily.... but not too much pride to take a hand out

Dave,
What industries are being hurt by the welfare system? I suppose you would like to see all unskilled workers paid less than a liveable wage? In these times when a loaf of bread costs over $1.00 a loaf and a gallon of milk $2.50 you expect them to work for $5.25 an hour.
I see you're in the KC area, what's rent on a 2br apartment? I would guess at least $500-$600 a month. You do the math.
Typical conservative rhetoric is to blame all our economic woes on the working class. How shamefull!

Rem. 222

PABuck_HNTR · 03-21-2004, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Quit paying folks to stay home.

Quote:

Typical conservative rhetoric is to blame all our economic woes on the working class. How shamefull

I think he was blaming them for NOT WORKING...Pretty good spin move though, did you play football? You musta been a tailback!

Rem. 222 · 03-21-2004, 08:16 AM

QB & MLB
You wanna play?

BUCK FUSH

PABuck_HNTR · 03-21-2004, 08:22 AM

I guess that explains your head injuries!

Dave590 · 03-21-2004, 08:38 AM

Rem.222, Please explain to me what a "Living wage" is, and where, in ANY document it states that it is up to the government to provide "Jobs".