I have (had) a math background, but find interpreting economic statistics quite confusing, to say the least… Given your interpretation of the data & trends, from direct experience we’re not at some “happy place” at this point, which is always the undercurrent Media theme whenever these announcements come out.
Thankfully, I was close enough to retirement after recent dismissal from a position of 30+ years to qualify for SSD, and after over a year post-graduate school my daughter is finally getting feelers RE her chosen profession — for one thing, to help in defraying the artificially high tuition loans in place. I suppose every family has their own horror stories related to the current economy, to one extent or another.
We aren’t in a “happy place” - things are pretty good. By no means great.
- Still significant slack in the labor markets... but record high number of private payrolls
- Yes claims are historically low... but job openings are at a record high because skilled labor is difficult to find
- Participation rate has declined... rate for 65+ is climbing to a new high while 18-24 is lower...
We have a long way to go and things could definitely be a lot better if Obama would just get out of the way. But he won’t. He’s the most anti-business president in history.
Yes all, or most, have similar stories. Very sorry for yours. We have had similar.