I’m a bit late to the blogging party this morning.  I’ve had some flight confusion, and my computer needed a couple reboots and a solid whack to get in the right frame of mind. Anyway, I caught this via Hot Air, and the AP.  The economy see…

Just when I thought this woman couldn’t possibly say anything dumber, she does it:PELOSI:  Think of an economy where people could be an artist or a photographer or, eh, a writer without worrying about keeping their day job in order……

MarkTheGreat on March 16, 2010 at 1:55 PM

After one has used up ones original 26 weeks. People beyond that are put into another category. Some of those still show up in the U6 number on table 15 of the BLS report, but one gets dropped off that at some point after the first extension. At that point one is classified a discouraged worker.

They keep changing how the U6 is calculated as well. Last year up until November it included everyone collecting past the 26 weeks. Thats how they are able to lower the unemployment number despite the fact that the hard count of people who like actually do not have a job keeps INCREASING.

They also don’t count people who take part time jobs because unemployment doesn’t pay enough for them to live on.

WH: Don’t expect employment growth in 2010

Voters to Dhims: Don’t expect to be the majority party in either house after November 2

QUAGMIRE. How will the MSM explain that Obama & Democrat majority have FAILED to stop the job loss? How can they pretend not to notice Obama promised to pivot to JOBS in JANUARY?

I don’t want the ones who made the mess do all the talking, grab a mop….

leadership by democrats

chronically-unemployed wait until the last couple weeks of their unemployment run to try and find work, they won’t count as “unemployed” until the end of the year. Moreover, since they’re dependent on the government, they’re more likely to vote for the ‘Rats.

steveegg on March 16, 2010 at 1:22 PM

To receive unemployment you have to be actively seeking work, so those on unemployment are automatically counted. It is when they fall off of unemployment that they stop being counted in the “official” figures.

The term “work force”, in this case, is a bit misleading. It includes both those employed and those who, within the prior 4 weeks, either had a job or were actively seeking work.

steveegg on March 16, 2010 at 1:19 PM

Traditionally, workforce meant all those available to do work, not just all those currently working.

If the White House predicts that level as an average for 2010, then we’ll definitely head back into double digits, especially as the modest job creation encourages those discouraged workers back into the job pool.

That is why extending unemployment benefits through the end of 2010 is vital for the ‘Rats. Since the chronically-laz…er, chronically-unemployed wait until the last couple weeks of their unemployment run to try and find work, they won’t count as “unemployed” until the end of the year. Moreover, since they’re dependent on the government, they’re more likely to vote for the ‘Rats.

Unemployment goes up as workers return to the work force?

Daggett on March 16, 2010 at 11:05 AM

The term “work force”, in this case, is a bit misleading. It includes both those employed and those who, within the prior 4 weeks, either had a job or were actively seeking work.

It is growth in the last part of that number, those seeking work within the prior 4 weeks, that drives up unemployment at the same time the “work force” grows.

This. Is. Planned.

“Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours. Recovery is when Barack Obama loses his.”

I didn’t think so.

PatriotRider on March 16, 2010 at 11:02 AM

I sent in an article about that very thing. Seems states have used up the stimulus money they got to temporarily plug some budgets, but no that money is expended and they are starting to lay people off too.

The temporary census workers will also get laid off in april and may, and we have over two million new college grads coming into the job market.

meanwhile the government keeps dropping people off the end of the count of those who are actually you know unemployed.

Thats how they make the “official” unemployment number go down.

I’ve a doctor friend who recently had to let some of his staff go. It seems Obamacare is having an effect already. Because of Obamacare, the “Doctor Fix” was not fixed by Congress this year. If the “Doctor Fix” was not fixed, Medicare payments to the doctors plunge. When Medicare payments drop, staff gets cut. Therefore, more Obamcare, less jobs.

Fred 2 on March 16, 2010 at 11:46 AM

Don’t worry. Barry explained all this in a speech yesterday. Went something like this: Anyone who tells you that the HC legislation is going to hurt Medicare is misleading you. The HC legislation is going to solve Medicare’s solvency problems. And all Medicare patients are going to get better care once this legislation is passed.

Unfortunately, Barry didn’t provide any details about how cutting $500 billion from Medicare is going to make Medicare more solvent, or convince Medicare doctors to provide better care for lower payments. But I’m sure that was just an oversight. Barry undoubtedly has a brilliant secret plan to make all these impossible things happen (and reduce our HC insurance premiums by 3000% in the process) — we just have to trust him! After all, he is so much smarter and better than the rest of us.

“time was when the Left actually was in favor of indvidual freedom”

When was that? Did I miss something?
They are still in favor of irresponsible license. Sex drugs and rock n roll, dude.
But individual freedom? As defined as an adult, not by some teenager who wants to get phat and stupid?
Leftism is inherently anti-freedom.
NoDonkey on March 16, 2010 at 11:56 AM

Okay, maybe I’m stretching the definition a bit – I just wanted to make a point to the Leftist out there about how far they’ve gone – from at least ‘Pretending’ to support Liberty – hence the term “Liberal” to the freedom suffocating ‘Utopia’ of Statism.

The press has talked about “the new normal”…this is all shorthand for Europe. High unemployment, low growth is the name of the game. Certainly with “protections” for those at the bottom end, say universal healthcare and long term unemployment compensation.

It is all going to plan IMHO.

They are doing it slowly on purpose.

Johnnyreb on March 16, 2010 at 12:12 PM

They don’t want to start a panic. However once the value of that debt starts to fall, especially if there is concern that the US may start defaulting on some of it’s debt, there will be sudden rush to unload as fast as possible.

I hate to break it to you, dude, but the Chinese stopped buying long-term bonds the day Obama got elected. Since then, the fed has been “buying” debt from itself.

logis on March 16, 2010 at 12:03 PM

The Fed has been pretty much just shuffling papers around on desks as you say. China is also slowly selling off it’s US long term debt. They are doing it slowly on purpose. Japan has once again surpassed China as the largest holder of US debt.

Since then, the fed has been “buying” debt from itself. Short-term bonds aren’t supporting anything; that’s just a juggling act before the hyperinflation hits.

I keep trying to explain to people: the crash has already happened.

logis on March 16, 2010 at 12:03 PM

Yep. All true. Nobody wants to hear it, though.

“time was when the Left actually was in favor of indvidual freedom” When was that? Did I miss something? They are still in favor of irresponsible license. Sex drugs and rock n roll, dude. But individual freedom? As defined as an adult, not by some teenager who wants to get phat and stupid? Leftism is inherently anti-freedom.
NoDonkey on March 16, 2010 at 11:56 AM

None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license.

– John Milton, 1649

The sheeple are still asleep…and I’m not sure what will wake them up.

PatriotRider on March 16, 2010 at 11:16 AM

Them losing their jobs would be a start.