Ave. length of unemployment grew to 20.3 weeks in Feb. - longest in 20 yrs

[papau]

Ave. length of unemployment grew to 20.3 weeks in Feb. - longest in 20 yrs


Greenspan Endorses Extending Unemployment Benefits

By Nell Henderson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, March 11, 2004; 5:29 PM


Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan today endorsed extending unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted them, but also predicted that job growth should pick up "more quickly" as the economy keeps expanding.

Congress has acted three times since the 2001 recession to provide jobless workers with an extra 13 weeks of benefits beyond the 26 weeks provided by the states. But lawmakers let the last extension expire in December amid partisan rancor....

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The average length of unemployment grew to 20.3 weeks in February -- the highest in more than 20 years -- from 19.8 weeks the month before, the Labor Department reported Friday. Nationally, job growth essentially stalled over the last three months.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49427-2004Mar11.html

[alcuno]

1. I'll don't know if they'll do it.

To do so would be admitting that there is a problem.

[Crachet2004]

2. Yeah, that has been the problem.

The official unemployment rate would increase if some of the unemployed started drawing again, who are'nt counted now...cynical of Bush, huh?

But...Greenspan packs a lot of clout on money issues. And it's an election year. If Congress puts a bill in front of Bush, it will be really, really really hard for him not to sign. The money does'nt come out of the general fund, and so would not add to the deficit.

But, he is an a**hole, he might veto.

[Langis]

3. He doesn't know how to veto

[stevedeshazer]

4. 65 weeks and counting

I can't even find a job that pays 40% of what I earned in 2002.

My benefits are gone, so I'm not counted anymore. If my wife didn't have a good job, we'd really be screwed. But, they're working on that, too. Ask any public employee in Oregon...the Radical Right is going after public employee retirement benefits, too.

[teryang]

5. There is something insulting

...about that stupid "reality" show with Donald Trump. Does anyone enjoy hearing him say "your fired!" with such obvious relish?

It makes me think that I live in a sick country.

[Skittles]

6. there are a lot of sick people

who find entertainment in watching people humiliate themselves for money. It is appalling.

[teryang]

7. Every time I see the promos

...it pisses me off. Don't they know there are millions of unemployed people who's backs and families are up against the wall.

I don't find it amusing. It strikes me as somewhat sadistic. The Donald really gets off on it.