[sarcasm]

Actually, 6% unemployment is very high for the United States. There have prolonged periods (1951-72) when the average was under 4%.

[BushCountry]

I know that the current unemployment rate is high, but it is lower than almost any other nation. We had terrorist attacks that crippled the airline industry, tourist industry, depressed consumers confidence, etc...

To be honest, I am surprised at how robust our nation is and proud of Americans for making a comeback (albiet right now a weak one, but we survived a lot). What I am trying to say is that I don't think trade barriers will help our ecomony and that if we get to 5% GDP, unemployment would not be a problem. A robust ecomony means full employment.

[Lightnin]

"Actually, 6% unemployment is very high for the United States. There have prolonged periods (1951-72) when the average was under 4%."

That is absolutely incorrect.

Check the World Almanac under "unemployment" and you will see that there has rarely ever been a period in which unemployment averaged under 4%.

You must have gotten your data from the New York Times!