[raygun]

Your #2 fact is sticking in my craw.

The 'new people' - due to population growth - are not IN the job market. They are seeking to get in.

For thr unemployment statistics to increase, existing workers had to become unemployed.

I'll acquiesce to your position that its a wash. That is the new number of undocumented new workers as yet not in the workforce and seeking to get in, those that were in and are now canned, and those who just plain gave up....

Its a wash.

P.S. I hope you believe - as do I - we're on the same page; you one one, I on the other side.

[okie01]

The 'new people' - due to population growth - are not IN the job market. They are seeking to get in.

For thr unemployment statistics to increase, existing workers had to become unemployed.

I was seeking to reinforce your observation. Since the new 100,000 weren't accounted for in the unemployment statistics, things were even worse than the numbers made them seem.

I believe we're in agreement -- just approaching the problem from two different aspects.