Jobless Claims Decline Sharply Last Week

AP ^ | 10/07/04 | Jeannine Aversa

[Pikamax]

Associated Press Jobless Claims Decline Sharply Last Week Thursday October 7, 2:20 pm ET By Jeannine Aversa, Associated Press Writer Jobless Claims Drop Sharply, Offering Sign That Job Market Recovery May Be Gaining Steam

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of new applications filed last week for unemployment benefits fell sharply, offering a hopeful sign that the recovery in the job market may be gaining some steam. The Labor Department reported Thursday that the number of new people signing up for unemployment insurance benefits dropped by a seasonally adjusted 37,000 to 335,000, the lowest level since the beginning of September. In the prior three weeks, claims had gone up.

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The latest snapshot of the layoffs climate was better than economists were expecting. They were expecting claims to decline to around 355,000.

Claims had risen recently in part because of the impact of hurricanes that pummeled Florida and elsewhere, wreaking damage and disrupting commerce.

The more stable, four-week moving average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week fluctuations, rose by 4,250 last week to 348,500. That compares with 394,250 a year ago -- showing improvement has been seen over the past year.

The number of people continuing to draw unemployment benefits declined by 1,000 to 2.86 million for the week ending Sept. 25, the most recent period for which that information is available. A year ago, the number stood at 3.57 million.

The Federal Reserve, citing some improvements in the economy, boosted short-term interest rates for a third time this year in September. Many analysts expect the Fed will increase rates again at its next meeting in November. A few, however, believe the Fed might take a pass in November and raise rates in December, the last meeting of the year.

Sandra Pianalto, president and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and a member of the Federal Open Market Committee -- the group that sets interest rate policy in the United States -- in remarks Thursday said it is still not clear when the labor market will get back to full throttle.

"As the unemployment data arrives over the next several months, we may very well see the job numbers snap back if confidence in our economy is restored, economies around the world strengthen and energy prices stabilize," Pianalto said. "But it may turn out that the process of job expansion will take more time to gain momentum."

President Bush and his Democratic opponent, John Kerry, paint very different pictures about how the economy and the labor market are faring as they try to woo voters with Election Day just a few weeks away.

Many economists are forecasting a net gain of around 150,000 jobs for September, which would mark a bit of an improvement over the 144,000 jobs added in August. The nation's unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 5.4 percent.

Even though payrolls have grown by 1.7 million in the last 12 months, the economy is still down by a net 913,000 jobs since Bush took office.

The government releases the employment report for September on Friday. The jobs report, the last to be issued before the Nov. 2 elections, will be closely watched by the presidential campaigns, economists and Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan and his Fed colleagues.

[Good.V.Evil]

Yes I said liar.
It's seems funny that someone in your so called position(Every single democrat talking point, plight of humanity) and take the time to browse conservative websites to complain about. Youd think you would be out looking for a job...but I suspect you already have one. Get lost.

[dalebert]

I think there is something like 3 million more workers in this country since Bush took office. I don't see how they can say Bush is donw 913,000 jobs when the number of workers increased so much. Add the 2 million self-employed and the Bush administration has done a good job. OOPS! I forgot we are not supposed to count the self-employed. Dems don't like it.

[eureka!]

Wait until you hear Kerry's numbers tomorrow night. ;^)

[dahvid]

"Beats a cry baby whiner that obviously thinks it's someone elses responsibility to care for you."

Please point out to us where I have ever said that it is someone else's responsibility to care for me. I have simply never said that. You are shadow boxing with yourself.

"And that type of person, in my opinion, have a special place in Hades."

Are you a christian who believes in the god of love and mercy?

[Fledermaus]

Easy...you posted "what is Bush doing" about jobs. This obviously lets intelligent people infer you think it's his responsibility to create a job for you since you lost one. It's not. The president cannot create or lose jobs. Period.

And no, I'm not a Christian. I'm an agnostic. But the concept of a hell makes sense.

[paulsy]

Me too. Actually, after being laid off, my wife and I started a company, and it more than pays our bills but was really a lot of work to set up. We wouldn't have shown up on an employment report. NOW, I also have a regular job, plus we have the business, so we're even better off that we were before the '00 / '01 recession.

[Good.V.Evil]

Hey dahvid isn't ther any good anti american, propagana programs on the BBC you could be listening to?

[dahvid]

"Yes I said liar.
It's seems funny that someone in your so called position(Every single democrat talking point, plight of humanity) and take the time to browse conservative websites to complain about. Youd think you would be out looking for a job...but I suspect you already have one. Get lost."

FYI, I am a registered Republican. If you think that every point that I make is Democratic, then you are lying to yourself, and actually appear quite ignorant. Furthermore, you do not represent all Republicans. It is not you place to speak for all republicans.

I am going back to school training for a new career and making a few bucks fixing computers when possible. Why are you so threatened by me? I haven't said any of the things that you imagine I did.

I would take issue with your self appointment as the administrator of this website. It is in fact you who are damaging the Republican party with your arrogant attitude.

[misterrob]

Your language reeks of "poor me" and self pity. Sure, the market it tough and starting over is not easy. But, when you start referencing terms like outsourcing and questioning whether or not Bush cares about you and being critical of the fact that he is more well off than you, these are all democrat/liberal type statements.

The role of the President is rather lengthy but subjectively speaking, they should foster a pro-business and sensible tax policy environment. This guy cut taxes which puts money back in working people's pockets. Some complain that the rich get most of the breaks but let's face it, they pay the largest share to begin with.

I don't believe that we "deserve" job protections just like my employer doesn't deserve the right to infringe upon my right to earn a living or seek to better my circumstances. We enjoy the highest standard of living in the world because of a "freer" market society.

[dahvid]

"Easy...you posted "what is Bush doing" about jobs. This obviously lets intelligent people infer you think it's his responsibility to create a job for you since you lost one. It's not. The president cannot create or lose jobs. Period.

And no, I'm not a Christian. I'm an agnostic. But the concept of a hell makes sense."

Please point out where I said "what Bush is doing about jobs". You are making an inference and projecting a false accusation upon me. This is how a lynch mob works. Intelligent people are the most easily hypnotized. Just because an intelligent draws wrong conclusions from misunderstood statements does not make them correct. I have never said what you imagine or accuse me of. Never said it, so stop accusing me. Period.

So you are an "agnostic" whatever the hell that means. Please enlighten us as to what your "agnostic" beliefs are and why you feel compelled to damn people to hades.

[dahvid]

good one evil. obviously you are ill equipped for an intelligent argument. if you have anything intelligent to say, we'd all like to hear.

[dahvid]

"Your language reeks of "poor me" and self pity. Sure, the market it tough and starting over is not easy. But, when you start referencing terms like outsourcing and questioning whether or not Bush cares about you and being critical of the fact that he is more well off than you, these are all democrat/liberal type statements."

Finally a spark of reasonable argument. I understand your critism about self-pity. I also understand your disregard for my plight, after all you are not my keeper and I'm not yours either. But isn't this a forum where people discuss things? I should be able to discuss my opinion and situation without being personally attacked? My feelings about Bush's insensitivity to people losing their jobs is not democrat/liberal. It is Republican, it is American. It is a real and valid complaint that you can blindly deny, but it is very real just the same. Actually, you sound kind of like "poor little 'ole me" here. You are whining about how my views, as a retgistered Republican, differ with your views. Stop whining and accept that others are entitled to their opinions also! My concern that as a rich person the president might not truly comprehend the hardships of Americans seems to be a valid concern. Recall Marie Antionette who said "Let them eat cake!"


"The role of the President is rather lengthy but subjectively speaking, they should foster a pro-business and sensible tax policy environment. This guy cut taxes which puts money back in working people's pockets. Some complain that the rich get most of the breaks but let's face it, they pay the largest share to begin with."

Here you are inferring an argument that I never made. You are shadow boxing with yourself. I never said anything about taxes, I challenge you to prove me wrong.

"I don't believe that we "deserve" job protections just like my employer doesn't deserve the right to infringe upon my right to earn a living or seek to better my circumstances. We enjoy the highest standard of living in the world because of a "freer" market society."

Brave words for sure. Whatever you do could be done by a foreigner for less. You could be put out of business quickly without protection. If your livelihood were threatened you would be the first to howl. What is your business? I propose a research project to examine all of the economic factors and laws that affect your business, and if by changing laws or certain factors you would be twisting in the wind like so many other fellow Americans that you have no regard for.

Finally I would say that I am being very defensive here, but I'm not bashing Bush or anybody here. I can like Bush and still disagree with some of his points. If you read over this post, notice that I am just defending my position, mostly against very angry unreasonable and crude people.

Anyway thanks for the reply.

[groanup]

Dahvid:

Life is tough. Life is tougher when you're stupid. (John Wayne) Stupid is resenting George Bush for being well fed and blaming him for your obvious lack of job skills. If you want the president to take care of you I suggest you cheat on your taxes and get caught. The president and the rest of the Federal Government will house you and feed you.

[dahvid]

thank you groanup, you have amply demonstrated your level of intelligence and maturity.

[groanup]

"thank you groanup, you have amply demonstrated your level of intelligence and maturity."

You're quite welcome. If you need anything else please let me know.

[dahvid]

"I suggest you cheat on your taxes ..."

groanup,

Cheating on taxes is a felony. You are conspiring to commit a felony. ATTENTION! Administrator of this website: this person, "groanup", has solicited to commit a felony on your website. You are obligated by law to report criminal behavior on your website. Please be advised.

[groanup]

"Cheating on taxes is a felony"

You're right. You and the rest of the ninth grade have a good night.

[dahvid]

"Dahvid:

Life is tough. Life is tougher when you're stupid. (John Wayne)"

Ok, granted you are the authority on stupid, your authentic grasp of stupidity is beyond compare.

"Stupid is resenting George Bush for being well fed and blaming him for your obvious lack of job skills."

Stupid is not being able to read a post. Although you are the meister of stupid, I challenge you to show where I said that Bush is responsible for my job skills. Not understanding the basic human emotions shared by most people, is for sociopaths, who are without normal feelings for others, as you appear to be.

The Greeks loved their theater about fate, where even the highest and mightiest are not immune to ignoble fate. Someday, you won't be so haughty and proud, full of taunts and jest. Obviously you are well taken care of, hence the snot nose childish attitude, but cruel fate is unpredictable. You will know how it feels to be treated as you treat others, when you are really down and out, that is if you believe in karma. Go ahead snicker all you want, but in your heart you know that someday you will too, and may you get what you give.

"If you want the president to take care of you I suggest you cheat on your taxes and get caught. The president and the rest of the Federal Government will house you and feed you."

You must be a libertarian because you are openly advocating cheating on taxes. You are a tax cheating Libertarian criminal sociopathic troll. You give Republicans a bad name. Get lost.

[LowCountryJoe]

...I'd really like to know because my computer job is gone for ever. I am SOL up the creek wo a paddle and Bush don't give a damn. He's well fed and will never have to worry about feeding his funny face. I do...

Come on, you really expect this kind of commentary to get a free pass? I read your tag-line dahvid, there wasn't anything left for my pipe after you bogarded it all.

[dahvid]

Bush actively supports the outsourcing of American jobs and this has cost many Americans dearly. It is only natural to resent a rich president that never has to worry, to stand behind this policy that has really hurt many Americans in a way that the president will never have to know. I understand that if I'd left the "funny face" remark out, the lynch mob might not have been so vicious.

The reactions that I received, were so way out of character with my comment and revealed the character of many people that responded. I am afraid that while winning some tactical battles, we republicans will eventually loose the war by disenfranchising our friends. For example, while we win tactical victories in Iraq (thank you Bush!), we will never prevail without the cooperation of friends. If you treat people the way I've been treated here, someday it will come back to haunt. I am saying this in a constructive helpful sense.
I liked this site because the republicans seemed to be such reasonable people with whom I agreed on many issues. Only I find zero tolerance for any opposing views, not a friendly group, only if you agree with every single thing they say. There is no sense of humor here, only dry brittle angry people that will stoop to the lowest level immature insults at a drop of the hat.

What's in the pipe, is what was in the founding fathers of this nation's pipe. It is what the original American flag is made of, what the constitution was written on. It is what was used as raw material during WWI, what has been used by royalty and common people for countless milena. It a medicine that helps relieve terrible suffering of cancer patients (but is denied them). It is a valuable commercial crop that could serve as a source of paper products, food, textiles, oil, medicine, it is incredibly versatile and extremely useful. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and the rest would have never stood for this being made illegal, nay, vilified, which is the real crime. It is regularly in the news where a new lifesaving property is discovered. In fact, the Surgeon General of the USA has called for it's legalization.

Naturally the freepers will attack me and call me a druggie or something similar and my reply would be they are an alcoholic. The insults that will refer to my drugged state and reveal the simple and immature minds of the senders, for they are high on their own egos. In fact I don't personally smoke the stuff. If I were to call for prohibition of alchohol, no doubt the freeper lynch mob posse would round me up. Alcohol is a dangerous substance that kills and maims thousands annually. I have argued for pot's legalization on this site before but the minds just slam shut. If put to a vote, it would be legalized. Indeed many states have done so but the federal government has threatened doctors that prescribe! Imagine that, threatening doctors who prescribe medicine! Note that the past two presidents have admitted to smoking it, and how many others have and do? So let's just sit back and watch now as I am attacked with hate, insults, slurs, just for quietly speaking the truth. The nature of the crass responses will only prove that they have nothing of value to say, and that I am correct after all. I am reasonable and will consider reasonable discussion without hate, obscenity, etc.

The sad part is that many people who are against it might someday really benefit from it, and when they need it in their hour of dark need, it will be by their own hand that they suffer. Perhaps it would have been able to cure their disease if only the ignorance preventing it's acceptance were removed.

I maintain that pot is as American as apple pie. It was only made illegal relatively recently, and it is a wonder plant that can cure disease and provide numerous products and utilities. The sale could be taxed just like alcohol, less money spent on jailing people, the police would not waste their time or risk their safety about it. I speak for the majority of Americans and if you disagree I challenge you to a national vote. In the American tradition of the founders of our great republic, lets end this unfair restriction on the freedoms of Americans. Let freedom ring!