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.

[easonc52]

Thank you for your efforts.

If anyone hasn't seen the link at the bottom of Peach's personal page 'The Blood of Heroes', it's worth going to if you have a few minutes (grab a tissue first).

[CedarDave]

Go here for links to most all ...

(Grrr...)

[BluSky]

Spot on - such a great letter, Peach!

[tinamina]

I'd like to see statistics on where all the illegal immigrants who entered the country since 2000 are working, how many on welfare, how many have displaced jobs Americans used to hold, like that.

[cyncooper]

My letter to the editor was in a local newspaper today.

Bravo!

In the most-read Sunday edition, no less. You did GREAT!

[auboy]

You're a real "Peach". Hopefully, facts will conquer propaganda. Thanks for your efforts!

[OldFriend]

BRAVO!!!!!!!!

You make us so proud!

[roylene]

I found this link on the internet. It should help you get that brilliant letter out. It is my hope that all the links are current but if not maybe enough to help.
Looking forward to your next brilliance.
http://www.newspaperlinks.com

[RandallFlagg]

It's FReepers like Peach...

Who make creepers like this:


..........VERY nervous

Nicely done, Peach. Thanks for sharing!

[Peach]

I've looked in one file for the source on that and cannot find it, Maceman. Will keep looking.

I can only assure you at this point it was not a made up fact. As I type this, I think I remember where I saw it and will look later in the day. (If I don't get some work done around the house, I 'll be in trouble with my husband:-)

Business Investors Daily has a web site that has lots of good information on this matter. You need to log in and it's not the easist site to navigate, but they have a great arhive site. Anyway, will look around later...

[Peach]

How I wish I could be with you all!

I am so geographically challenged that when I first read of this gathering through Freepmail, I thought "oh, good - they are meeting in Florence and that's close enough to attend."

I had the wrong STATE even. Sheesh.

[Peach]

Thanks both and thanks for that link, CedarDave.

Will spend some time on this matter in the next day or two. I've spent waaaay too much time on FR today:-)

[Peach]

That's an awesome and still difficult web site to visit, isn't it? Thanks for warning people.

[Peach]

There are many good argument to be made about immigration on both sides of the issue and I understand your concerns regarding the matter.

However, to visit a thread that has some GOOD economic news and make a statement about immigration without facts and numbers to back it up does us little good.

I would like to see Freepers who are concerned about immigration, legitimate concerns surely, write letters to both the administration and to their newspapers. So far this immigration plan of the president's is merely a plan - it's not set in stone YET. Facts and numbers can change minds, even at the highest level of our government.

[Peach]

Your praise has made my day. Thank you kindly.

[Peach]

Thank you for the links. I'll try it.

OldFriend - you are too kind. I started a thread about Kerry's Cuba flip flop and thanked you for directing me to the article on another forum.

[Peach]

You are so funny! Loved those pictures. The internet and Freepers have the power to make those guys nervous and it's high time we started putting them under pressure.

[Peach]

You are more than welcome and thank you for your kind words.

[OldFriend]

You are a bright shining light here on FR. Thoughtful and always dignified in your comments.

[Peach]

You make me cry, lovely lady. Truly you do.