ARGHHH! I forgot the statistic...

[bleedingedge]

that debunks the other statistic!

I got engaged in a minor debate today with a Bush-backer and one of his arguments was that unemployment was the lowest it's been in X number (12?) years? I know there's a hidden reason why i.e. number of people who simply stopped looking for work, but botched it.

What's the statistic I'm looking for here?

Thanks for help!

[Sirveri]

1. People who are no longer collecting unemployment are no longer counted.

Those people are either homeless or living off of their family and loved ones at moment. Like me.

[wryter2000]

2. But that isn't right, either

Even given the people who've given up, unemployment is still higher than it was under Clinton.

http://data.bls.gov/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet?data_tool=latest_numbers&series_id=LNS14000000

[Sirveri]

5. That is because more people keep losing their jobs!

[htuttle]

3. Ask them for their source on that

Bush is the first president since Hoover to see a net LOSS of jobs under his administration.

I think that this other person's 'statistic' is more accurately called a 'lie'.


"La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-Liar!"

[On the Road]

4. Unemployment is the Lowest

since the beginning of the recession in 2001. That's true.

It does not, however, tell the ful story, as some of the other posters have pointed out.

[comsymp]

6. You're also looking for the number of EMPLOYED... that's higher, ergo

unemployment must be lower, right?

Wrong.


Capitol Grilling has a really informative thread on the whole subject:
http://www.capitolgrilling.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/1/11700.html