Those numbers are based on Census bureau data looking at the number of adults over the age of 16 and then the number of adults that are working.
What it fails to take into account is that many in that 94 Million are out of the workforce for good reason: Going to School, Over 65 and retired. The real number is more like 22 or 23 million which is still a lot but it isn’t near as large as the 94 million they claim.
@Bruce – I’m not suggesting the economy is doing well. I just think it is disingenuous to suggest that we have as many welfare recipients as some European countries.
I’ll even concede there are people in college who have no hope of completing their degree or getting a job in their chosen field when they get out because they are hiding from the job market for a few years.
Please don’t assume that I’m using these numbers to prop up Obama – I do think he’s playing games with the numbers (but this cartoon does too).
23 Million unemployed to figured out how to get SSDI, Welfare, or state aid is still a lot. Many of that 25 Million are, theoretically in Prison (2.3 Million or 10%).
Hey, Mike, what is the definition of ‘civilian’ work force? Someone not in uniform? Or someone not working for the federal government. Makes a difference, doesn’t it? Also, please explain what the heck difference the population of Italy is? Why don’t you just put the state of Texas up there as well? Or New York? Not quite as big, but perhaps even more emotional. Since that is what you’re aiming for, isn’t it? Emotion? Rather than proper analysis of data and fact. You got people on here thinking that one out of four people (see jack75287, above) are out of work and being supported by the rest of us. What a load of crap.
So, let’s drop the minimum wage to $ .50 and force all those lazy old people to go back to work. They could shine shoes on the corner, wash windshields, scavenge bottles for refunds. The wealthy could use a few more cheap servants. I’m sure everyone here would hire some.
@Jim – I’m not sure where you are getting your numbers but there definitely are not 94 Million people looking for work. I’m not wrong. I’m following their calculations and showing you where I think the error lies.
@Jack – I agree that 16 is the age when they start looking for work but they are not considered employed by the BLS (Bureau of Labor statistics) They are treated as a student. Same with College students.
@Kaffekup – Your sarcasm aside (I’m guessing here) you aren’t too far off from a good proposal.
I don’t think we need to lower the minimum wage to 50 cents an hour but if we were to lower the minimum wage to get the real unemployment rate ([Number of people who need to earn a living – Number of people who are earning a living]/Number of people who need to earn a living) down to less then 5% $4 an hour or $5 an hour and then link any government services to employment you could destroy a lot of social ills.
I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that I would much rather help the guy or gal who is working then those that sit on the couch or porch and complain about how life isn’t fair to them.
People who are holding down a 40 hour a week job find it much harder to spend time planning crime and causing problems in the neighborhood. Plus you build self esteem in the working generation as well as the next generation.
Paying people to sit on the couch only perpetuates a sense of resentment against a society that doesn’t seem to value you as much as you do.
Ramirez is not telling the truth on two fronts, the total number of Americans not working are not all looking for jobs because they are doing other things, and then to equate total numbers as a comparison to countries that have a smaller total population than the US is misleading and disingenuous. The only gauge would be percentage as the US population is far greater than Great Briton, France, or Italy. I rarely agree with Ramirez but he has lost all my respect. His cartoon is over the top with misinformation. From Politifact.com: Are 90 million Americans not working or not looking for work? ”However, the 90 million number is padded, since this number includes a lot of Americans who wouldn’t be expected to be working. Specifically:• People age 16 to 17, who likely are in high school: 9 million• People who are enrolled in either two- or four-year colleges: 21 million• People age 65 and older, who have reached retirement age: 40 million peopleThat means 20 million people are of normal working age, not in college and not working. That’s less than one-quarter the amount repeatedly cited in the blogosphere.” http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2013/jul/30/blog-posting/are-90-million-americans-not-working-or-looking-wo/
The statisticians use a very precise definition of unemployment. First, one must count the number of people who are of working age but not working, and that excludes anyone who did not apply for a job, and anyone who found even an hour of work during the reporting period. Then one must count the total number of working age people who are not in the military or otherwise excluded from the working population (e.g., all students). Then one calculates the percentage..When the reported percentage is 4% or less, it usually means there is a job for everyone, and that 4% are just out looking for the best job they can find, knowing there are many vacancies and they would be silly not to check many to find the best one. When the reported percentage is more than 5%, there are probably NOT enough jobs for everyone, but we don’t count those who can’t find any place to apply and so don’t bother applying (nor those who got an hour or two of work in the month where we’re getting the statistic), so there are many people who want a full-time job and don’t have one, but who don’t qualify as technically ‘unemployed’.. Mr Ramirez is almost certainly right in his statistic.
I’m one of those “Non Participating” Americans.I retired about one year Earlier than I had Planned because my last Job got shipped to India.I was replaced by 4 people who, All Together, cost less than I did.Of course, they also weren’t very Good at the job, either.I know that from seeing their Work before I left the building..
Is this the Ramirez spin? How many of the 94 million Americans are retired or do not need to work because they don’t have to or don’t want to? Remember, baby boomers are retiring right now. If you are going to use facts, use them responsibly.
Lets not forget that it was “W” and the Repos who put them all out of work and who opposed the second stimulus saying that the private sector would do the job! What hypocrisy to blame the Dems! So far after 35 years trickle down has not worked!I never will work. More for the rich just gives them more control of our government which allows them to keep stealing from us!
Pabst48 almost 9 years ago
Glad the population size isn’t a factor nor the fact that the US corporations do not necessarily have major manufacturing in the US.
Mephistopheles almost 9 years ago
Those numbers are based on Census bureau data looking at the number of adults over the age of 16 and then the number of adults that are working.
What it fails to take into account is that many in that 94 Million are out of the workforce for good reason: Going to School, Over 65 and retired. The real number is more like 22 or 23 million which is still a lot but it isn’t near as large as the 94 million they claim.
PerkandCindy Premium Member almost 9 years ago
So we need to send more more jobs overseas ?
ratflinger Premium Member almost 9 years ago
So are you saying that the pres is a lying sack of ….
Mephistopheles almost 9 years ago
@Bruce – I’m not suggesting the economy is doing well. I just think it is disingenuous to suggest that we have as many welfare recipients as some European countries.
I’ll even concede there are people in college who have no hope of completing their degree or getting a job in their chosen field when they get out because they are hiding from the job market for a few years.
Please don’t assume that I’m using these numbers to prop up Obama – I do think he’s playing games with the numbers (but this cartoon does too).
23 Million unemployed to figured out how to get SSDI, Welfare, or state aid is still a lot. Many of that 25 Million are, theoretically in Prison (2.3 Million or 10%).
Durak Premium Member almost 9 years ago
Hey, Mike, what is the definition of ‘civilian’ work force? Someone not in uniform? Or someone not working for the federal government. Makes a difference, doesn’t it? Also, please explain what the heck difference the population of Italy is? Why don’t you just put the state of Texas up there as well? Or New York? Not quite as big, but perhaps even more emotional. Since that is what you’re aiming for, isn’t it? Emotion? Rather than proper analysis of data and fact. You got people on here thinking that one out of four people (see jack75287, above) are out of work and being supported by the rest of us. What a load of crap.
kaffekup almost 9 years ago
So, let’s drop the minimum wage to $ .50 and force all those lazy old people to go back to work. They could shine shoes on the corner, wash windshields, scavenge bottles for refunds. The wealthy could use a few more cheap servants. I’m sure everyone here would hire some.
Mephistopheles almost 9 years ago
@Jim – I’m not sure where you are getting your numbers but there definitely are not 94 Million people looking for work. I’m not wrong. I’m following their calculations and showing you where I think the error lies.
@Jack – I agree that 16 is the age when they start looking for work but they are not considered employed by the BLS (Bureau of Labor statistics) They are treated as a student. Same with College students.
Mephistopheles almost 9 years ago
@Kaffekup – Your sarcasm aside (I’m guessing here) you aren’t too far off from a good proposal.
I don’t think we need to lower the minimum wage to 50 cents an hour but if we were to lower the minimum wage to get the real unemployment rate ([Number of people who need to earn a living – Number of people who are earning a living]/Number of people who need to earn a living) down to less then 5% $4 an hour or $5 an hour and then link any government services to employment you could destroy a lot of social ills.
I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that I would much rather help the guy or gal who is working then those that sit on the couch or porch and complain about how life isn’t fair to them.
People who are holding down a 40 hour a week job find it much harder to spend time planning crime and causing problems in the neighborhood. Plus you build self esteem in the working generation as well as the next generation.
Paying people to sit on the couch only perpetuates a sense of resentment against a society that doesn’t seem to value you as much as you do.
braindead Premium Member almost 9 years ago
O, if only Obama would stop vetoing all those jobs bills that the Republican Congress keeps passing.
Republicans have a laser-like focus on Jobs!, Jobs!, Jobs!, you know.
PainterArt Premium Member almost 9 years ago
Ramirez is not telling the truth on two fronts, the total number of Americans not working are not all looking for jobs because they are doing other things, and then to equate total numbers as a comparison to countries that have a smaller total population than the US is misleading and disingenuous. The only gauge would be percentage as the US population is far greater than Great Briton, France, or Italy. I rarely agree with Ramirez but he has lost all my respect. His cartoon is over the top with misinformation. From Politifact.com: Are 90 million Americans not working or not looking for work? ”However, the 90 million number is padded, since this number includes a lot of Americans who wouldn’t be expected to be working. Specifically:• People age 16 to 17, who likely are in high school: 9 million• People who are enrolled in either two- or four-year colleges: 21 million• People age 65 and older, who have reached retirement age: 40 million peopleThat means 20 million people are of normal working age, not in college and not working. That’s less than one-quarter the amount repeatedly cited in the blogosphere.” http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2013/jul/30/blog-posting/are-90-million-americans-not-working-or-looking-wo/
Mickey and Delia almost 9 years ago
The statisticians use a very precise definition of unemployment. First, one must count the number of people who are of working age but not working, and that excludes anyone who did not apply for a job, and anyone who found even an hour of work during the reporting period. Then one must count the total number of working age people who are not in the military or otherwise excluded from the working population (e.g., all students). Then one calculates the percentage..When the reported percentage is 4% or less, it usually means there is a job for everyone, and that 4% are just out looking for the best job they can find, knowing there are many vacancies and they would be silly not to check many to find the best one. When the reported percentage is more than 5%, there are probably NOT enough jobs for everyone, but we don’t count those who can’t find any place to apply and so don’t bother applying (nor those who got an hour or two of work in the month where we’re getting the statistic), so there are many people who want a full-time job and don’t have one, but who don’t qualify as technically ‘unemployed’.. Mr Ramirez is almost certainly right in his statistic.
Tarredandfeathered almost 9 years ago
I’m one of those “Non Participating” Americans.I retired about one year Earlier than I had Planned because my last Job got shipped to India.I was replaced by 4 people who, All Together, cost less than I did.Of course, they also weren’t very Good at the job, either.I know that from seeing their Work before I left the building..
d_legendary1 almost 9 years ago
You don’t suppose those free trade agreements we’ve signed have anything to do with unemployment rate, huh?
alex Coke Premium Member almost 9 years ago
Wow! France is almost as big as Texas.How many Italy’s can you fit into California?How many out off work Italians?
wolfhoundblues1 almost 9 years ago
Using the same standards as the Great Depression that makes the unemployment rate 37%. It was about 20% in the 30’s.
Lamberger almost 9 years ago
It doesn’t even count the number of engineers working as fry cooks….
Larry Bush almost 9 years ago
Is this the Ramirez spin? How many of the 94 million Americans are retired or do not need to work because they don’t have to or don’t want to? Remember, baby boomers are retiring right now. If you are going to use facts, use them responsibly.
wyneaux almost 9 years ago
Lets not forget that it was “W” and the Repos who put them all out of work and who opposed the second stimulus saying that the private sector would do the job! What hypocrisy to blame the Dems! So far after 35 years trickle down has not worked!I never will work. More for the rich just gives them more control of our government which allows them to keep stealing from us!