The difficulty with an improving economy
Every once in a while, I run across a comment on a blog or news story that reads something like this: “If you’ve been unemployed for more than a year, you’re not looking hard enough.”
It’s mean, but I’m sure the writer believes what he says. They probably have a job and run across “Help Wanted” signs every once in a while, and can’t reconcile that with the fact that more than 6 million people have been out of work for more than 26 weeks.
But now the jobless face another problem. If you do have a job right now, you have more job security than at any time in the last decade.
On Friday, the Labor Department released its monthly report on the number of openings, hirings, and firings that employers posted in January. It’s a little different than the regular unemployment report that comes out at the beginning of the month. That one tells you how unemployment overall moved in the previous month. Whereas this one tells you how much hiring and how much firing added up to the overall unemployment figure.
The last few months of reports have been mostly the same. Firings have basically stopped. In fact, they’re at their lowest point since the government started tracking them in 2000. But hirings haven’t picked up at all, which leads to this worrisome conclusion (as stated by an analyst): “Generally speaking, all the data seem to suggest that if you already have a job, the labor market probably doesn’t seem so bad, but if you’re looking for a job, there’s been almost no job market improvement over the last few years.”
In other words, if you have a job, this economy doesn’t feel so frightening anymore. If you don’t, it’s still scary as hell.
When long-term unemployment becomes a fact of life
America’s traditionally been a country with rapid layoffs but rapid hiring. You’d be much more likely to lose your job at any given moment, relative to a country like France. But unlike the French, an unemployed American could get his job back quickly.
In fact, unemployment in countries like France, Greece, and Spain has been at 8% or so or higher for years. And at any given time, most of those people tend to have been out of work for more than six months.
Yet, you don’t get the sense of urgency in fixing the problem that you get here. At one point, unemployment stopped getting worse in those countries, and the governments and populace settled into complacency. Maybe 8% unemployment was as good as they could do.
We don’t yet know when and if the job-creation machine will revive in the U.S. But we’re already starting to see congressmen and some economists declare that the government can’t continue extending help to the long-term unemployed in the name of fiscal austerity.
It’s going to be much easier for them to focus on the debt if the average man on the street no longer fears that he’ll lose his job.
Unemployment is moving from “our” problem to “their” problem.
I have a job. And that BLS report I referenced tells me that job’s safer than it has been in 11 years. So now, unemployment isn’t so much an imminent threat that I want government to urgently address, but the problem of an ambiguous group of people who I only know through friends of friends or family.
Pretty soon, simply telling people that the unemployment rate is 9% isn’t going to make people bat an eyelash, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some politicians or jobseeker services start taking a lesson from foreign NGOs.
Are you more heartbroken by the estimated 925 million people who lived in hunger in 2010, or by this?
I
It’s no accident that the narrator said the name “Michelle” six times. No accident either that once you start giving, you’ll get a picture of the child and updates on his or her progress.
Economist George Loewenstein and Deborah Small ran an experiment where they presented potential donors a letter that requested money for a house being built for a family by Habitat for Humanity. In one version of the letter, which described the families, they were told that the family “will be selected” for the home. In the other version, they were told that the family “has been selected” and was just waiting for the donation.
Donations to the home for the family that “has been selected” were significantly greater. The reason? The economists think that making the beneficiary concrete and identifiable was all it took to pump up the giving.
I hope it doesn’t reach the point that we need to run commercials with panicked jobseekers in order to keep them in the public consciousness. But as time goes on, let’s not forget that one in 10 of the people we pass on the street every day are probably out of work.
{ 338 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
I have been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i?m glad to exhibit that I’ve a very just right uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I so much indisputably will make sure to do not forget this site and provides it a look on a relentless basis.
Great post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I am inspired! Extremely useful info specially the last part
I deal with such info much. I used to be seeking this particular information for a long time. Thanks and good luck.
Thanks for your publication. I would also like to say this that the first thing you will need to conduct is check if you really need repairing credit. To do that you will need to get your hands on a replica of your credit rating. That should not be difficult, ever since the government makes it necessary that you are allowed to obtain one no cost copy of your actual credit report annually. You just have to consult the right men and women. You can either browse the website for that Federal Trade Commission or contact one of the leading credit agencies straight.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I?ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I?ll certainly return.
Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Este site é estável.
Admiring the hard work you put into your blog and in depth information you present. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed information. Excellent read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Thanks for sharing your ideas. I’d also like to express that video games have been ever evolving. Modern tools and innovative developments have made it simpler to create realistic and active games. These types of entertainment video games were not really sensible when the actual concept was first of all being tried out. Just like other designs of technological innovation, video games also have had to grow by means of many years. This itself is testimony towards the fast development of video games.
It?s arduous to search out knowledgeable folks on this topic, however you sound like you recognize what you?re talking about! Thanks
Excellent items from you, man. I have be mindful your stuff prior to and you are just extremely fantastic. I really like what you have bought here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which during which you say it. You are making it entertaining and you continue to care for to keep it wise. I cant wait to learn much more from you. This is really a wonderful web site.
I’ve noticed that repairing credit activity has to be conducted with tactics. If not, you are going to find yourself destroying your position. In order to grow into success fixing your credit ranking you have to ensure that from this moment you pay your complete monthly dues promptly before their appointed date. It’s really significant because by not accomplishing this, all other moves that you will decide to try to improve your credit positioning will not be helpful. Thanks for revealing your suggestions.
naturally like your web-site but you have to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I will definitely come back again.
Great blog right here! Additionally your website lots up fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your affiliate link in your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.
Hey there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any methods to stop hackers?
magnificent points altogether, you simply won a emblem new reader. What could you recommend in regards to your submit that you simply made some days ago? Any certain?
This article is a breath of fresh air! The author’s unique perspective and perceptive analysis have made this a truly fascinating read. I’m grateful for the effort she has put into producing such an informative and thought-provoking piece. Thank you, author, for providing your knowledge and sparking meaningful discussions through your outstanding writing!
Hey there, You have done a great job. I?ll certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this site.
Hi! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the superb work!
Nice blog here! Also your website loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
One thing is the fact one of the most popular incentives for utilizing your cards is a cash-back or even rebate offer. Generally, you’ll have access to 1-5 back for various expenditures. Depending on the credit cards, you may get 1 returning on most expenditures, and 5 back on acquisitions made from convenience stores, filling stations, grocery stores in addition to ‘member merchants’.
Hello, i think that i noticed you visited my weblog thus i got here to ?return the favor?.I am trying to find things to improve my web site!I assume its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Kudos!
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really know what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my site =). We could have a link exchange contract between us!
Good post. I learn something more difficult on different blogs everyday. It’ll at all times be stimulating to learn content from other writers and practice somewhat something from their store. I?d choose to make use of some with the content material on my blog whether or not you don?t mind. Natually I?ll offer you a hyperlink in your net blog. Thanks for sharing.
Based on my research, after a property foreclosure home is marketed at a bidding, it is common with the borrower in order to still have a remaining balance on the personal loan. There are many loan companies who make an effort to have all expenses and liens repaid by the up coming buyer. Having said that, depending on particular programs, rules, and state legal guidelines there may be a number of loans that aren’t easily resolved through the exchange of loans. Therefore, the responsibility still rests on the debtor that has obtained his or her property foreclosed on. Thank you for sharing your opinions on this blog site.
I feel this is among the most vital info for me. And i’m satisfied reading your article. However want to remark on few basic things, The site style is ideal, the articles is in reality great : D. Excellent task, cheers
Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossips and net and this is actually irritating. A good site with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for keeping this site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it.
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable information to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our entire community will be thankful to you.
This actually answered my problem, thank you!
That is really interesting, You’re a very professional blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to in the hunt for extra of your fantastic post. Additionally, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
Oh my goodness! an incredible article dude. Thank you Nevertheless I’m experiencing situation with ur rss . Don?t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting equivalent rss downside? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know any techniques to help prevent content from being ripped off? I’d truly appreciate it.
I?ll immediately grab your rss feed as I can not find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
excellent post.Never knew this, regards for letting me know.
You really make it seem so easy together with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be actually one thing which I feel I might by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex and extremely wide for me. I am taking a look forward in your next post, I¦ll attempt to get the hang of it!
you’ve gotten an amazing weblog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
Just desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your submit is just excellent and that i can suppose you are an expert in this subject. Fine along with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with approaching post. Thank you one million and please continue the rewarding work.
← Previous Comments
{ 1 trackback }