Employment rate

[CARLHAYDEN]

The official unemployment rate provided by the government to the media has a couple of problems with it.  First, the 'seasonal adjustments' have some problems (the government assumes new businesses/jobs twice a year with no evidence) and the government dumps people for the labor pool to reduce the unemployment rate.

A more stable method is to look at the number and percentage (unadjusted) of person employed relative to the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years and over for a particular month relative to the same month in previous years.

Here's one comparison:

Month   Year   Civilian noninstitutional population 16 years and over   Employed   
            
August   2000                                212,915,000   137,308,000   64.50%
August   2010                                238,099,000   139,919,000   58.80%
Change                                            25,184,000       2,611,000   10.40%
 

[Frink]

The official unemployment rate provided by the government to the media has a couple of problems with it.  First, the 'seasonal adjustments' have some problems (the government assumes new businesses/jobs twice a year with no evidence) and the government dumps people for the labor pool to reduce the unemployment rate.

A more stable method is to look at the number and percentage (unadjusted) of person employed relative to the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years and over for a particular month relative to the same month in previous years.

Here's one comparison:

Month   Year   Civilian noninstitutional population 16 years and over   Employed   
            
August   2000                                212,915,000   137,308,000   64.50%
August   2010                                238,099,000   139,919,000   58.80%
Change                                            25,184,000       2,611,000   10.40%
 

They provide a much less strict Unemployment rating (U6 as it is known) as well you know. If they were truly conspiring as you charge here I doubt they would do as such.

[opebo]

Yes, we're aware the government has failed to employ people, Carl Hayden.  But you don't seem to back the idea of the government employing people.