N.C. unemployment decreases, but many people gave up

The News Observer [Raliegh, NC] ^ | Mar. 6, 2004 | Amy Martinez

[jackbill]

I believe that these are people, such as myself, who are no longer counted as unemployed because they've exhausted their benefits.

These are not people who have exhausted their benefits. The are supposedly people who have given up looking for work.

Have you given up looking for work? How do you survive? How do you pay rent or a mortgage? How do you eat?

[cynicom]

This is acounting 101 with dems in charge...Cooking the books is their favorite pastime.

When pubs in office, the homeless problem is in the millions, public disgrace. When dems in office, homeless are gone, never hear bout them.

[jackbill]

There are the people whose jobs are gone and not comming back. Victoms of free trade and out sourcing. The people most here on FR don't give a damn about. But they vote, and I'll bet those that didn't will in then next election.

You're dodging the question. Who gives up looking for work? How do they eat? Do they live on the streets? Who are these people?

[speekinout]

I believe that these are people, such as myself, who are no longer counted as unemployed because they've exhausted their benefits.

OK, if you're one of these unfortunate people, please explain how you are managing to survive. You have an Internet connection, so I assume that you also have food and shelter. Who pays for that?

[jpsb]

They move in with friends, take odds jobs that pay cash, sell drugs, turn to crime, whatever it takes to stay alive.

[fabriclady]

I am a resident of Stokes County in North Carolina. We do all our shopping and business in Winston Salem. I just do not believe this article. If people want work here, I am believe they can find it. Our malls and strip centers are packed with shoppers. New homes are being built in record numbers. Some people want to spread bad news.

[GeronL]

The unemployment rate is not the number of people getting benefits

[Howlin]

You are so damn predictable with your boring hatred of all things Elizabeth Dole.

[goodnesswins]

"GIVE UP?"...HAHAHAHAH....YEAH....when the BENEFITS run out, they "give up."

[WhatWouldReaganDo]

I'm actively looking for work. Fortunately, my wife has a decent job.
We don't have any debt outside of the mortgage and had set aside some cash reserves for a rainy day. Unfortunately, we weren't expecting a flood.

[KSCITYBOY]

They only give up looking for work when there is a republican in the Whitehouse - and all democratic presidents are brilliant ,,,yada yada yada same old media tripe.

[GeronL]

Remember the Unemployment rate is actually a POLL!!!

They POLL 60,000 households every month (ever got that call?? not me or anyone I know) and come up with the unemployment rate.

[solo gringo]

I gave up looking for work when i retired.So am i part of the unemployed i don't think so.

[TonyM]

Somewhere along the line these people should have realized that holding out for a CEO position may not be a good idea. I keep hearing that illegal aliens are needed to fill the jobs Americans just won’t do. That means there are jobs out there, maybe not what you want, but when you need a job you take what you can get while continuing to look for a better opportunity. Just giving up makes no sense. These people must not want to work in the first place.

[GeronL]

I am amazed at how the media and politicians act like these numbers are real.

[TonyM]

Look, I've been there twice. You may think what ever you want, it's still a free country. And you can show yourself for what you are by resorting to namecalling. But the truth is there is work out there if you are willing to do it. Sure you may have to give up the new car, I did, and you may have to start at the bottom, I did. So you save your namecalling for Bush.