Democrats are skewing federal jobless figures (my letter to the editor - vanity)

March 14, 2004 | Peach

[Peach]

Despite the Democrat’s mantra that the economy is in trouble and that over 2.3 million jobs have disappeared, the truth is considerably different.

There are two primary measures of unemployment. The Department of Labor conducts a monthly Household Survey, which has always generated the official unemployment rate used by the government. This official survey shows 2.4 million jobs have been added to the work force between November ’02 and February ‘04. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) conducts its payroll survey by phoning businesses. It is unprecedented to use the BLS unemployment statistics when discussing America’s unemployment rate and yet this is where the Democrats are getting their 2.3 million lost jobs figure.

For example, had the unofficial BLS survey been used in the mid-90’s, we would have had a 12.8% unemployment rate using the same methodology. Instead, in 1996, the unemployment rate was 5.6%, the exact same rate as we have today.

The government began collecting unemployment data in 1939. Since that time, there has never been positive job growth two years after a recession ended. Never.

Other economic indicators are just as good:

-- The number of working Americans, 138.5 million, is a level never previously attained in our history.

-- The percentage of families living in poverty today averages 9.4%, a decrease of approximately 1.1% from the 90’s.

-- Home ownership is currently 68.6% which is an increase of 1.1% from the 90’s.

-- A manufacturing survey released in February showed US factories boomed at their highest level in 17 years. The Institute for Supply Management reported more and more factories were reporting hiring although it has not yet shown up in government employment statistics. Manufacturing makes up nearly one-fifth of the US economy.

-- The combined net worth of all US households is $44.4 trillion, the highest ever achieved.

-- Consumer prices (inflation) increased just 1.9% last year.

-- The stock market has advanced 45% in the last 12 months.

--The gross domestic product, the total goods and service produced in the US, increased in the 3rd quarter last year at an annual rate of 8.2% after inflation and 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Growth in the 90’s averaged a little better than 3% annually.

-- The wealthiest five percent of our population pays more than half the taxes, while people at the bottom half pay just 4% of all taxes in the country. Economists credit the recovering economy to the Bush tax cuts as opposed to what an increased regressive taxation on the nation’s wealthiest would have had on the economy.

-- The average wage of American workers is currently $15.40 vs. $11.80 during the 90’s.

Despite 9/11 and the over $500 billion it took out of our economy, it appears the economy is booming.

I will leave it to the reader to speculate why the media seems driven to repeat unchallenged the Democrat’s unemployment numbers and constant derision of the US economy.

[Peach]

My letter to the editor was in a local newspaper today. Historically, voters vote with their pocketbook and the leftists have brainwashed voters into believing that the economy and jobless situation is horrible. It is a lie and it's a provable lie.

[Peach]

This is the letter regarding the economy and unemployment I mentioned the other day but couldn't post to FR because it wasn't a published letter yet.

[FrogMom]

GREAT letter, Peach!

[StriperSniper]

Excellent!

(But you should hold out and make them pay you for it as an op/ed ;-)

[Peach]

Thanks both! The Rats are playing a shell game and it's vitally important to the election that we not let them get away with it.

[Southack]

[lysie]

Thanks for doing what you do Peach. Great letter.

[Carolinamom]

Congratulations on a fact-filled and well-written letter. It should prove a good source of facts to send out to other outlets. Good Job!

[Peach]

Thanks, sweetie!

[prairiebreeze]

Bumpity Bump Bump!

Prairie

[SW6906]

WOW!! Awesome letter!! Permission to email to several hundred people?

[Peach]

Thanks so much to my fellow Carolinian.

[Starve The Beast]

Excellent stuff, Peach, please keep up the good work.

[Trillian]

Awesome letter! :)

[SW6906]

Where was this published? Do you have a link?

[Grampa Dave]

This is a great letter!

Thanks!

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

When a person gets laid off from a payroll job, he does one of three things.

Sign up for unemployment, get a new job or take some time off.

My wife was let go from her teaching position last June after 22 years.

The private school hired a replacement for 1/3 what they were paying my wife.

My wife received unemployment insurance, but now that has run out.

She doesn't need to work because my income is more than sufficient for our needs.

Her career was more important for her self esteem.

She is one of those who is counted as "left the looking for a job" statistics.

She will not starve if she never works again.

In fact, she is hoping to teach part time or tutor.

If she tutors, she will not be counted as a new job.

The fact that so many have apparently left the looking for a job category is a positive thing.

It means that they have other means of support.

It doesn't mean that they've lost hope or are in poverty.

[THX 1138]

As I stated on another thread, this is 1992 all over again. Nothing but lies about the economy, with the left-wing media stooges as willing accomplices.

[Normal4me]

That's a peach, Peach. Wouldn't mind if I copied it for my next family encounter would ya? ;-)

[Peach]

Definitely. Get the word out.

Post 9/11, national security will be more important than ever before, but still, most people vote with their pocketbook and have been convinced that we've lost jobs but not created any and that the economy itself is tanked. Not true and demonstrably not true.