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Gallup CEO: "America's 5.6% Unempoyment Is One Big Lie"
The biggest threat to a corrupt regime is when truth moves away from the "conspiracy theory" fringes and into the mainstream. Which is why we thank Jim Clifton, Chairman and CEO of Gallup, for daring to tell the truth to those who care to listen.
Posted first on LinkedIn
The Big Lie: 5.6% Unemployment
Here’s something that many Americans -- including some of the smartest and most educated among us -- don’t know: The official unemployment rate, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, is extremely misleading.
Right now, we’re hearing much celebrating from the media, the White House and Wall Street about how unemployment is “down” to 5.6%. The cheerleading for this number is deafening. The media loves a comeback story, the White House wants to score political points and Wall Street would like you to stay in the market.
None of them will tell you this: If you, a family member or anyone is unemployed and has subsequently given up on finding a job -- if you are so hopelessly out of work that you’ve stopped looking over the past four weeks -- the Department of Labor doesn’t count you as unemployed. That’s right. While you are as unemployed as one can possibly be, and tragically may never find work again, you are not counted in the figure we see relentlessly in the news -- currently 5.6%. Right now, as many as 30 million Americans are either out of work or severely underemployed. Trust me, the vast majority of them aren’t throwing parties to toast “falling” unemployment.
There’s another reason why the official rate is misleading. Say you’re an out-of-work engineer or healthcare worker or construction worker or retail manager: If you perform a minimum of one hour of work in a week and are paid at least $20 -- maybe someone pays you to mow their lawn -- you’re not officially counted as unemployed in the much-reported 5.6%. Few Americans know this.
Yet another figure of importance that doesn’t get much press: those working part time but wanting full-time work. If you have a degree in chemistry or math and are working 10 hours part time because it is all you can find -- in other words, you are severely underemployed -- the government doesn’t count you in the 5.6%. Few Americans know this.
There’s no other way to say this. The official unemployment rate, which cruelly overlooks the suffering of the long-term and often permanently unemployed as well as the depressingly underemployed, amounts to a Big Lie.
And it’s a lie that has consequences, because the great American dream is to have a good job, and in recent years, America has failed to deliver that dream more than it has at any time in recent memory. A good job is an individual’s primary identity, their very self-worth, their dignity -- it establishes the relationship they have with their friends, community and country. When we fail to deliver a good job that fits a citizen’s talents, training and experience, we are failing the great American dream.
Gallup defines a good job as 30+ hours per week for an organization that provides a regular paycheck. Right now, the U.S. is delivering at a staggeringly low rate of 44%, which is the number of full-time jobs as a percent of the adult population, 18 years and older. We need that to be 50% and a bare minimum of 10 million new, good jobs to replenish America’s middle class.
I hear all the time that “unemployment is greatly reduced, but the people aren’t feeling it.” When the media, talking heads, the White House and Wall Street start reporting the truth -- the percent of Americans in good jobs; jobs that are full time and real -- then we will quit wondering why Americans aren’t “feeling” something that doesn’t remotely reflect the reality in their lives. And we will also quit wondering what hollowed out the middle class.
***
And since we never tired of showing the "job recovery", here is what Clifton is talking about visually.
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This should not be news to anyone that reads Zerohedge.
As long as stocks keep going up it's all that matters to the DC and Wall Street crowd.
What does reality matter when you don't have to deal with it?
Just got offered a job at Kroger in their Meat Dept. as a part time employee at 7.30 per hour 'cause I don't have the relevant experience; I might not even get the position unless I can find my SS# card? Huh?
How much is my time worth?
"You're young 'n you gotchur health; what ju want with a job?" ~ Raising Arizona
The great republican legacy.... But let's all blame Obama, this is ZH! Also, Obama can spell, which obviously indicates he's not American.
O can spell the names of all 57 states.
Can you do such states like Canada, UK and Ukraine...?
I really do feel sorry for you. Regardless of your age, you have learned little of life and cling to you petty "we good, they bad" beliefs. You have never lived under the yoke of the Democratic Party Controlled Machine for 40+ of your life.
You have never experienced great American companies competing for American Labor in the marketplace, hiring three shifts in order to meet with product demand. You have never experienced going on campus and competing to hire the best engineers and science workers recent graduates. You have never experienced corporations working within their communities and local collages to devise training programs for skilled trades people.
But you go ahead, play your mindless intellectual political games.
NAFTA, CAFTA, Most favoured Nation for China, Countless other Trade agreements, Banking Deregulation under Slick Willie, FED Fiat Banker to the world and a perpetual payoff for bankers and the low skilled never to be employed millions sitting in major Democratic Controlled inner cities. Keep blaming Republicans in the smugness of your closed mind.
"I really do feel sorry for you. Regardless of your age, you have learned little of life and cling to you petty "we good, they bad" beliefs. You have never lived under the yoke of the Democratic Party Controlled Machine for 40+ of your life."
You feel sorry for me because I have never lived under the democratic yolk for 40+ of your life? You must be a Republican as you have assumed something without knowing the facts and presented an illogical argument.
Btw, I have been to The Bolivian altiplano, the tip of South America Ushuaia, the Himalyas in India, Washington DC, the killing fields of Cambodia to name but a few and am from Europe.
I had great hope in Obama having read his book, Dreams of my father But have since been saddened to see the continuation of drone attacks in the middle east and the resultant child deaths. In saying that, 120,000 civilians have died since George Bush launched his illegal war in Iraq based on non-existent weapons of mass destruction.
The Republicans seem to be far more bloodthirsty than democracts. It just surprises me how down on Obama US citizens are even though he is far less of a killer than the Bush's and seems to be making the US better.
However, even Obama is finding it difficult to save the US, I worked in San Diego in 2000, but every time I visit now,it he US seems more and more style-less and backward. Even the statue of liberty seems run down. The US now seems to lead the way in inequality, 10 days holidays versus 20 days+ in Europe, 6weeks maternity leave versus 6 months + in Europe. I'm always amazed how much Americans talk about money, it used to be an inspiring country full of radicals, hippies, etc but now it is corporate to the extreme.
Anyway, I hope things improve in the US but I certainly don't think Republicans will turn the US back into a dynamic, creative country.
Both parties are rotten at the head and too beholden to their respective interests. When you boil it down, it is the $1T plus and counting the US is spending militarily to maintain its global empire and investing a majority of its resources on it least productive members (elderly). Neither party is serious about addressing either issue and America will likely continue to drift downwards slowly unless it gets sucked into a big military conflict and loses. That and there is an economic crash and the US military assumes control.
People think that is a 'crazy scenario' but it is the one and only institution in both the private/public sector that enjoys incredibly strong & broad public support, is well-funded, has the cover necessary to do it initially as a 'volunteer army' and has an infrastructure and appartus in quickly put in functional control if necessary. Contrary to the idiots on here who think the American citizens will oppose this they will ASK for it and strongly support it initially.
it's strange to contrast the opposition to war in the 60s to the almost universal support it seems to have now in the US.
The pioneering spirit seems to be leaving America to be replaced by excessive rules can regulations. Oh well....
Still argue most Americans don't care about the endless warmongering because it really hasn't affected. So few Americans serve as % of the population and as a percentage of upper-class whites is even more minimal. Additionally, they haven't had to face a draft, rationing, large-scale inflation, or sharply raised taxes to pay and fund the war.
Your right about excessive rules though - GOP opposes them outright generally because they are just simply the paid whores for the US Chamber of Commerce and they oppose any regulation that takes a nickel out of management's pockets and the Democrats waffle and can't figure out what they want instead drafting overly-complex and half-a$$sed pieces of poorly written legislation. Part of it is because of how Democrats are perceived by a decent portion of the white working class (giving shit to the minoirties and not me) and another part is having to be careful to not piss off their corporate donors too much since private organized labor ceased to be a viable and formidable entity in the Democratic politics since NAFTA.
Another key part of this is because big businesses are much better to position themselves to make the actual drafting of the regulations favorable to them or influence the actual bills themselves to correct the massive fuckups of the private sector (Frank Dodd, Sarbanne Oxley) which started out as a means to address perceived gaps in regulatory oversight and ended up being Frankenstein-like bills instead.
You speak as if this was not happening in Europe. They have had an unelected union forced down their thoats, by globalist who owe their allegiance to the consept of the EU, rather than their home country. All possible the endless money spigot of the FED pouring into EU banks and sovereigns.
If you want dialogue, next time write something thought provoking as in your post above. Dont start with a two line red meat entry expecting openess.
You have said much, some I agree with, but you still cling to the notion that Obama can save the US. He cannot, there is probably no one regardless of party who can short of street action.
You are not the only ex European on this board. Despite your travels you seem to have learned little. The world after WW2 has has been particularly blood thirsty for any ideology. Blaming Americans and Republicans is a fools game. Whether you like it or not, the end of WW2 ushered in the era of money, oil, control and the comfort of friends and the discomfort of enemies.
The EU exists today due to American sacrifices. It can have all its socialist graces precisely, because the US was ans still is there with endless bags of money and infinite computer money digits. You enjoy your vacations and other benefits, because the US has poured Billions over 70 years to resurrect European economies and benevolent family values. It is a symbiotic relationship that was forged with European and American Bankers, enforced for over 70 years by the US Military for the benefit of American and European Bankers.
You may yet get your wish one day when America is no longer there to help anyone, much less itself. Look to the the example of European History as your guide. From the fall of Western Rome, to the fall of Byzantium, to the reign of the Ottoman Empire Islam has been a European nightmare. Lets see how well Europe does if ever the US is no longer there to stop the next Caliphate.
This is the classic nitwit response you see on here about the people complain about a litany of 'leftist/liberals' points and how it is anti-capitalist and then ironically complain about the same system that seeks the lowest overall cost of production or to be located closer to its fastest growing markets/largest numbers of newest customers.
Only six downvotes, where are all the xenophobic tea party doomers today? The truth may be an offense but it is not a sin...
i have had money and been without. I have made well over a hundred K a year in the corporate grindstone world. Late 50's now and recently been cooking part time at a Senior Care Facility. 11 bucks an hour. I am an executive chef and have run and managed muliti million dollar food businesses in the dark past. All work is honorable. I was not embarassed to "be a line cook." I did not want another management job. My "boss" was my youngest daughter's age. No problem. She asked me for advice. No problem. I was the oldest, whitest guy in the whole place. I loved it and met some great seasoned citizens.
Having said all that, America as we knew it growing up is never coming back. We are not at Hunger Games yet. That is when the EBT cards are turned off. Think that can't happen? Don't hold your breath.
A man earlier said he was offered a job at Kroger for 7.30 an hour in the meat department. Jump on it. I cut meat for them back in the 70s and it was and still is a great company to work for. You will move up quickly if that is your desire. Cutiing meat in a good company can make a good living for you. If you are teachable go the extra mile and let them train you to become a cutter. You no longer will be breaking quarters of beef either any more. That part was a bit of heavy work but even that was all about technique and not necessarily brawn.
to all out there remember, always keep on eye on your bobber.
Grocery stores like Kroger's are in trouble as Wal-Mart and other cheaper alternatives continue to eat into their market share and yeah you could make a good living cutting meat in the 70s because butchers were either independent employees and often unionized if they worked in a supermarket/grocery store or often ran their own shop as a small business owner.
Wal-Mart didn't even sell groceries 25 years ago ago and now they are closing in about 28-30% market share of all US grocery sales. Yeah you save a few nickels but in the process it having the same disaterous effects on the food production and supply chains in the US as WalMart did on manufacturing in the US in the 80s and 90s. US is still a net food exporter and will remain so but you will see in coming years more and more US produce and especially meat sent overseas while the US 'imports' more and more lower-quality equivalents including pork/chicken from Asia.
Now people who cut meat in a grocery store are little more than minimum wage employees with weak/no benefits. Whole Foods will take a ton of crap on here but at least they pay their employees fairly well by comparison. Ditto Wegman's.
Are we supposed to believe the statist that heads as CEO one of the outposts of propaganda for the empire? That he is supposedly going behind the backs of those that provide his lifestyle? Or could it be more Zionist whitewash and division, as he is really promoting his upcoming book, and another statist scheme to have governmnet take more control of the economy:
In The Coming Jobs War, Gallup Chairman Jim Clifton boldly asserts that job creation and successful entrepreneurship are the world’s most pressing issues, outpacing runaway government spending, environmental degradation, and even the threat of global terrorism.
The book is grounded in findings from Gallup’s World Poll, which reveals implications of the jobs war on everything from economics to foreign policy to America’s moral authority in the world. And it offers a prescription for attacking the jobs issue head-on. Clifton says the solution to creating good jobs must be found in cities, not the federal government. Promoting entrepreneurship and job creation must be the sole mission and purpose of cities’ leaders.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Coming-Jobs-War-Clifton/dp/1595620559
Just another tool with another money, power, and division scheme.
The banksters need to repay us.
"They lie even when they're telling the truth."
Statist Clifton's agenda without having to be subjected to, or buying, his book:
http://nsla.nevadaculture.org/statepubs/epubs/384860-2014-01.pdf
Starts on p.15.
My take:
"Fascism," and "socialism/communism" are ideological cover for the same organized system of theft--statism. A socialist/communist apologist always pushes schemes where the thieves of governmnet are seen as "giving," while fascist apologists push schemes where the thieves of governmnet are seen as "creating."
Regardless, the parasites of governmnet are always shown as positioned in between like a sustenance devouring tapeworm in the gut of its victims.
The banksters need to repay us.
They say, and behave as if, "Might makes right,' but I say, "Right makes might."
I'm just glad we're bringing in more beaners. We need another 10 or 20 million beaners. That'll fix things for sure.
We need to step up the H1B visa thing too, we're slacking there. We need to quintuple our efforts with that.
Can we ship some more jobs overseas? I hope so. We'll be just fine.
"I'm just glad we're bringing in more beaners. We need another 10 or 20 million beaners. That'll fix things for sure."
The question is, "Why import more labor to an economy full of un-, and under-, employed Americans?
Answer: Money, power, and division.
Money: The big companies that are allied with the true ruling class, the Zionists, and their neo-con brethren, need cheap slave labor that is exempt from the DC US' so called labor laws.
Power: One can sure control a person, and group, if that person is beholden to you for their job, and future. "Hey Beaner! Do as we say or be deposited back across the border."
Division: While they have us targeting the "imports/Beaners," they'll just continue on devouring us, and our futures. They want us pissed at 17 million interlopers, and not paying attention to them, those that allowed the importation in the first place--They want us killing the slaves, and not taking over the plantation.
More money: Now while the "Beaners" are used as a cheap labor, and division tool, the fascists will then just spend more, and more, effort on enslaving in prisons (The 13th.) the rest of the American country. Can you say FEMA camps?! Sure you can.
The banksters need to repay us.
"Work frees you, AKs keep you free."
Duly noted on your sarcasm. You are correct of couse, but there are too many in Government, Academia, Banking, Politics and in the halls of Corporate America who have chosen to embrace the great lie of unemployment numbers, as well as many other lies.
Self interest, keeping your head down, not making waves has neutered the best and the brightest amongst us. Most have chosen the great lie over truth of what we could be, if we gave a damn.
Three days employment a week for me. Nice job but three hours drive every day. I suppose the data says I'm "fully employed."
At least I receive zero handouts from any government entity.
In my field I often see 30 hours, 32 hours, 3 days a week for jobs that in 2007 were 40 hours. Well long ago they said the 40 hour week was on its way out. Guess they were right but not in the way the projected.
Wow, the last several years of my comments just dissappeared except for two. Do they come back later?
Anyway, If you include the make work jobs, and government jobs along with food stamps and welfare as unemployed in a productivity sense then it includes most of the real world.
You're the CEO of Gallup and you just figured this out? You had no idea the difference between U3 and U6 [the real unemployment rate]? Where the fuck have you been? Maybe between Emperor Goebbels fundraisers and reading his bullshit you finally have "seen the light"? Country is in worse shape than I thought.
www.traderzoo.mobi
Who doesn't know that by now it's not living in US.
Why don't they just ask me, I'll tell you you how many people are looking for work. my phone hasn't stopped ringing for 6 fucking years. I have never been polled once. not one fucking time, who exactly are they contacting? 20% of the population is OUT OF WORK! 20% more are working productively! and 60% are sitting at their desks trying to figure out who's out of work! absolutely pathetic.
Real Eyes . . . .
Realize . . . .
Real Lies . . . .
Progress, I guess.
a big lie?
who would have thought
tic toc
sheeple
So Gallup decides to get truthy huh? The only way this truth is worth a damn is if the media then starts to confront the lying sacks of shit that have been giving you their shit burger to eat.
To regain any credibility the media would then have to start questioning evrything else. They would have to relentlessly ask and re-ask questions to answers that have now turned out to be bullshit.
Hound these motherfuckers everyday till they leave or quit. I would actually pay money to see Barry being peppered by his loyal media about what else he's been lying to them about. What about Benghazi? What about fast and furious? What about those kinds from Central America who've now spread measles, mumps and hooping cough to the US? Obamacare? IRS?
Until any of that happens it's all day and every day a shit show.