Why Aren't More Americans Working?

[Peter1469]

Why Aren't More Americans Working? (http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2016-03-04/why-aren-t-more-americans-working)

We have good U-3 unemployment numbers. But why are so many able Americans not working? And why does the media hype the U-3 numbers when there are clear problems?


According to today's employment report (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_03042016.htm), 59.8 percent of Americans ages 16 and older had jobs in February. That's the highest employment-to-population ratio in years, and the rate of increase is clearly on the rise (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/05/upshot/americans-are-joining-the-work-force-at-the-fastest-rate-in-16-years.html).


Let this be another lesson (http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2016-02-26/stuff-keeps-getting-cheaper) in how the presentation of information shapes our understanding of it.The second chart paints a gloomy picture -- the picture that Donald Trump may be referring to when he says the true unemployment rate is 40 percent (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jul/16/donald-trump-unemployment-rate-might-very-well-be-/) or higher (http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/sep/30/donald-trump/donald-trump-says-unemployment-rate-may-be-42-perc/). A 59.8 percent employment-to-population ratio means that 40.2 percent of American civilians 16 and over don't have jobs. That percentage includes high-school students, 100-year-olds and lots of other people who don't want or need jobs, so the true unemployment rate clearlyisn't 40 percent. Still, in April 2000 the employment-to-population ratio (http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS12300000) peaked at 64.7 percent. Now it's significantly lower. What's going on?


The answer that I keep gravitating to is that despite the 4.9 percent unemployment rate, the job market is still pretty weak, and probably malfunctioning in some way. This isn't the only possible answer. In 2014, for example, two economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York divided people responding to the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey (from which the unemployment rate and the charts in this article are derived) into 280 cohorts defined by "birth, sex, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment." They determined that (http://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2014/02/a-mis-leading-labor-market-indicator.html#.VtnmuvkrIUF) most of the decline in the employment-to-population ratio since 2000 could be explained by the changing makeup of the population.


But demographics aren't destiny. The employment-to-population ratios by age group, for example, have changed a lot since 1990. First, the women:

Read more at the link.

[PNW]

Easy, baby boomers are retiring in huge numbers and it's only going to get worse.
Anyone with 3 IQ points could see this coming 20 years ago.

If, god forbid, a republican wins the election we will never hear another word about it.

[Peter1469]

Easy, baby boomers are retiring in huge numbers and it's only going to get worse.
Anyone with 3 IQ points could see this coming 20 years ago.

If, god forbid, a republican wins the election we will never hear another word about it.

Good attempt but incorrect. The older cohorts are working longer. The people dropping out of the labor force are the younger generations. And that is a problem for the future. Here is an article (http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2014/01/15/u-s-unemployment-retirees-are-not-the-labor-exodus-problem/#41e1091acb61)from Forbes that explains this.

If the left refuses to address the problem they will be blindsided by the consequences.

We essentially have younger generations making zero progress for future retirement. What will happen to them? Currently, we don't have the money to hand out for their keeping. I don't see the debt going away, so they likely have very little options when they think that they are old enough to retire.

[MisterVeritis]

Good attempt but incorrect. The older cohorts are working longer. The people dropping out of the labor force are the younger generations. And that is a problem for the future. Here is an article (http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2014/01/15/u-s-unemployment-retirees-are-not-the-labor-exodus-problem/#41e1091acb61)from Forbes that explains this.

If the left refuses to address the problem they will be blindsided by the consequences.

We essentially have younger generations making zero progress for future retirement. What will happen to them? Currently, we don't have the money to hand out for their keeping. I don't see the debt going away, so they likely have very little options when they think that they are old enough to retire.
The economy will collapse. You and I will survive, and for the same reason.

Some will sit, bewildered, and wonder if they can find a Republican to blame.

[TrueBlue]

And there's absolutely no doubt that many people in this country are indeed actively and aggressively looking for work but the jobs they are qualified for may just not be there for everyone due to a limited number of positions in a particular field. And then there are companies that are wanting to let their employees go through attrition or other means including offering them nice retirement packages, etc. as a cost-savings deal to the company for older employees they consider to be no longer service-worthy.

The scariest fact I have run across in speaking to people who have been looking for work because they need to work is that they tell me that they went to apply at different places but since they looked over 40 they were never called back for an interview and that really made them feel bad and almost hopeless in that they are more than likely going to encounter that same scenario time and time and again. I feel for them since it is not their fault. And hey, 40 is not "old" by any means but many want someone who is 20 or 30 to work for them instead. At 40 they feel people are over the hill and will only bring them problems in asking for frequent time off from work due to illness, etc. which is a very unfair way to look at it.

What, imho, we therefore need is Stronger Federal Legislation, That Will Be Fully Supported By the States, to compel any and all businesses and employers to hire those of a more mature age when they otherwise fit the bill. They can literally get away now with not hiring someone they see as being older and that is wrong. That should no longer stand. We however already have such legislation, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, but it doesn't seem to be working well therefore, something has to replace it with stronger language and more punitive measures to those who would refuse an otherwise qualified person a job.

[Boris The Animal]

And there's absolutely no doubt that many people in this country are indeed actively and aggressively looking for work but the jobs they are qualified for may just not be there for everyone due to a limited number of positions in a particular field. And then there are companies that are wanting to let their employees go through attrition or other means including offering them nice retirement packages, etc. as a cost-savings deal to the company for older employees they consider to be no longer service-worthy.

The scariest fact I have run across in speaking to people who have been looking for work because they need to work is that they tell me that they went to apply at different places but since they looked over 40 they were never called back for an interview and that really made them feel bad and almost hopeless in that they are more than likely going to encounter that same scenario time and time and again. I feel for them since it is not their fault. And hey, 40 is not "old" by any means but many want someone who is 20 or 30 to work for them instead. At 40 they feel people are over the hill and will only bring them problems in asking for frequent time off from work due to illness, etc. which is a very unfair way to look at it.

What, imho, we therefore need is Stronger Federal Legislation, That Will Be Fully Supported By the States, to compel any and all businesses and employers to hire those of a more mature age when they otherwise fit the bill. They can literally get away now with not hiring someone they see as being older and that is wrong. That should no longer stand. We however already have such legislation, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, but it doesn't seem to be working well therefore, something has to replace it with stronger language and more punitive measures to those who would refuse an otherwise qualified person a job.And you are wrong, as usual. But being a brain dead Liberal doesn't stop you.

[Dr. Who]

And you are wrong, as usual. But being a brain dead Liberal doesn't stop you.
Do you know for a fact that ageism is not being practiced by employers?

[Boris The Animal]

Do you know for a fact that ageism is not being practiced by employers?I do.

[Dr. Who]

I do.
Care to elaborate?

[Peter1469]

There are pretty strong laws regarding age discrimination in employment. It is much harder to prove from the hiring end. Easier when companies force older workers out to hire younger and cheaper replacements. I am not sure how the government could make the law more effective in the hiring process. It is too easy to get around if the employer doesn't say the wrong things.


And there's absolutely no doubt that many people in this country are indeed actively and aggressively looking for work but the jobs they are qualified for may just not be there for everyone due to a limited number of positions in a particular field. And then there are companies that are wanting to let their employees go through attrition or other means including offering them nice retirement packages, etc. as a cost-savings deal to the company for older employees they consider to be no longer service-worthy.

The scariest fact I have run across in speaking to people who have been looking for work because they need to work is that they tell me that they went to apply at different places but since they looked over 40 they were never called back for an interview and that really made them feel bad and almost hopeless in that they are more than likely going to encounter that same scenario time and time and again. I feel for them since it is not their fault. And hey, 40 is not "old" by any means but many want someone who is 20 or 30 to work for them instead. At 40 they feel people are over the hill and will only bring them problems in asking for frequent time off from work due to illness, etc. which is a very unfair way to look at it.

What, imho, we therefore need is Stronger Federal Legislation, That Will Be Fully Supported By the States, to compel any and all businesses and employers to hire those of a more mature age when they otherwise fit the bill. They can literally get away now with not hiring someone they see as being older and that is wrong. That should no longer stand. We however already have such legislation, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, but it doesn't seem to be working well therefore, something has to replace it with stronger language and more punitive measures to those who would refuse an otherwise qualified person a job.

[TrueBlue]

There are pretty strong laws regarding age discrimination in employment. It is much harder to prove from the hiring end. Easier when companies force older workers out to hire younger and cheaper replacements. I am not sure how the government could make the law more effective in the hiring process. It is too easy to get around if the employer doesn't say the wrong things.
The law certainly exists but the will to follow it by many employers does not.

You are correct in that when older workers are given the boot in favor of younger ones a good case can be made then. But another problem is that some workers are not even aware that they can appeal their firing or they feel that it will take an inordinate amount of money to fight their case and reinstate them. Therefore, some just give up.

And of course it is easy for the employer to get around the law and that is why a clause in a new or amended Federal employment law should include a provision that since the law is the law and employers are bound by that law, employers will pledge to fully support that law under severe penalties if caught trying to go around it and practicing age discrimination. Basically, each business, to my understanding, is required to post a document in their business in a prominent place recognizing the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Therefore, each business that has that document should also be made to sign the pledge and mail it back to the Federal agency that oversees ageism discrimination whether it be the EEOC or some other agency. It would be the same as having to pay IRS taxes in that no one can get away with not doing that. That way, if there is any perception that the employer tried to skirt the law, the employee has something to fight back with, as well as the Federal government and even the state.

If the state for some reason would not want to go along with that because some red states are firm believers in "No Government Intervention", then it would be known that by not participating they are, in effect, contributing to the unemployment factor and would be fined as well, perhaps in the form of no Federal government subsidies or help in their time of need until such a time as they relented and fully accepted their responsibility to actually help in job creation and not in the decimation of it. And one must remember that where there is a will there's a way. That is the only way we can begin to make the needed changes that have been allowed to go South for so long of a time that hurts the employee workforce and that now seriously needs to be corrected.

[MisterVeritis]

The law certainly exists but the will to follow it by many employers does not.

You are correct in that when older workers are given the boot in favor of younger ones a good case can be made then. But another problem is that some workers are not even aware that they can appeal their firing or they feel that it will take an inordinate amount of money to fight their case and reinstate them. Therefore, some just give up.

Andof course it is easy for the employer to get around the law and that is why a clause in a new or amended Federal employment law should include a provision that since the law is the law and employers are bound by that law, employers will pledge to fully support that law under severe penalties if caught trying to go around it and practicing age discrimination. Basically, each business, to my understanding, is required to post a document in their business in a prominent place recognizing the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Therefore, each business that has that document should also be made to sign the pledge and mail it back to the Federal agency that oversees ageism discrimination whether it be the EEOC or some other agency. It would be the same as having to pay IRS taxes in that no one can get away with not doing that. That way, if there is any perception that the employer tried to skirt the law, the employee has something to fight back with, as well as the Federal government and even the state.

If the state for some reason would not want to go along with that because some red states are firm believers in "No Government Intervention", then it would be known that by not participating they are, in effect, contributing to the unemployment factor and would be fined as well, perhaps in the form of no Federal government subsidies or help in their time of need until such a time as they relented and fully accepted their responsibility to actually help in job creation and not in the decimation of it. And one must remember that where there is a will there's a way. That is the only way we can begin to make the needed changes that have been allowed to go South for so long of a time that hurts the employee workforce and that now seriously needs to be corrected.
Nothing warms the fascist's heart more than good, old-fashioned, iron-fisted government intrusion into business.

[TrueBlue]

Nothing warms the fascist's heart more than good, old-fashioned, iron-fisted government intrusion into business.
Yet isn't it mainly Republicans that keep wanting and pushing for people to work over merely obtaining free government hand-outs? You can't have it both ways. If Republicans are truly serious about that then they are going to have to give in to what can work and is feasible in order to maintain a good workforce, without prejudice, in America.

[MisterVeritis]

Yet isn't it mainly Republicans that keep wanting and pushing for people to work over merely obtaining free government hand-outs? You can't have it both ways. If Republicans are truly serious about that then they are going to have to give in to what can work and is feasible in order to maintain a good workforce, without prejudice, in America.

In my opinion, the biggest problem that you and all like-minded radical leftists have is your enormous love for government and coercion. You prefer to harass people rather than get out of their way. You damage the economy and then blame businesses. Then your solution is every greater government control and coercion.

The solution is not to give governments more police powers. It is to deregulate and decontrol so the economy can grow and the people can remain free. All of you wannabe Mussolinis and Hitlers need to leave the rest of us alone. Then you can be better off too.

[Peter1469]

Right. Hitler and Mussolini were not Tea Party types advocating for less government control over the lives of their citizens.

[Tahuyaman]

Why Aren't More Americans Working?
Because there aren't enough jobs, that's why.

[Peter1469]

Our government policies are holding the economy down.

[Mac-7]

Why Aren't More Americans Working?


Because there aren't enough jobs, that's why.

There are too many immigrants and illegal aliens.

[Tahuyaman]

There are too many immigrants and illegal aliens.
They aren't taking the jobs people want.

[Mac-7]

They aren't taking the jobs people want.

The Disney employees in Florida who were replaced by foreign workers might disagree with you about that

[Tahuyaman]

The Disney employees in Florida who were replaced by foreign workers might disagree with you about that

Once again for those who are slow to catch on. Illegal aliens are not taking the jobs Americans are looking for.

[Mac-7]

Once again for those who are slow to catch on. Illegal aliens are not taking the jobs Americans are looking for.

The American Disney workers were tired of those jobs and more than happy to give them up?

Who told you that?

[PNW]

Our government policies are holding the economy down.

Bullsh!t.

[Tahuyaman]

Bullsh!t.

that is absolutely correct. The combination of punitive taxation and burdensome regulations are causing all the problem with our economy.

[Tahuyaman]

The American Disney workers were tired of those jobs and more than happy to give them up?

Who told you that?.

Illegals didn't take those jobs. Illegals take the jobs no one will do, or wants to do.

[Tahuyaman]

Trump has caused people to lose their mind.

[Cigar]

Why Aren't More Americans Working? (http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2016-03-04/why-aren-t-more-americans-working)

We have good U-3 unemployment numbers. But why are so many able Americans not working? And why does the media hype the U-3 numbers when there are clear problems?





Read more at the link.


America gleefully stopped investing in it's own citizens and stopped placing education as a priority. Manufacturing jobs has been evolving to more technology focus for decades and now the chickens have come home to roost. The more it becomes only the wealthy can get an good education, the less Americans will have to pull from their own knowledge base. While other countries are investing in themselves, they're sitting back and watching American spend more on Wars and Human Treasure, than educating its own people and investing in the only Jobs remaining in America that can't be outsourced ... it's own Failing Infrastructure. We have places in this country that can't even pipe clean and safe drinking water to it's own citizens.

The four most valuable Infrastructure Projects America needs help ... Railroad, Highway, Power Grid and Airports. Those 4 where always supported by both Republicans and Democrats. Their return on investment has been 100x what America put into it. But we're too stupid to fix the obvious.

Americans did it to themselves, while watching politicians to brag about it and cash in on it.

[Tahuyaman]

Yet isn't it mainly Republicans that keep wanting and pushing for people to work over merely obtaining free government hand-outs?


Is there something wrong with working instead of living on government dependence programs?

[Cigar]

Trump has caused people to lose their mind.

Nope, he just exposed and manipulated people who where already stupid.

[donttread]

Once again for those who are slow to catch on. Illegal aliens are not taking the jobs Americans are looking for.

Illegal aliens do drive the labor market down, there is no way they can't. However a bigger problem is chasing manufacturing off shore with the mental masturbation of corporate income tax

[Tahuyaman]

Illegal aliens do drive the labor market down, there is no way they can't. However a bigger problem is chasing manufacturing off shore with the mental masturbation of corporate income taxthey are taking the jobs no one else wants. You can't blame illegals for our economic struggles.

[MisterVeritis]

America gleefully stopped investing in it's own citizens and stopped placing education as a priority. Manufacturing jobs has been evolving to more technology focus for decades and now the chickens have come home to roost. The more it becomes only the wealthy can get an good education, the less Americans will have to pull from their own knowledge base. While other countries are investing in themselves, they're sitting back and watching American spend more on Wars and Human Treasure, than educating its own people and investing in the only Jobs remaining in America that can't be outsourced ... it's own Failing Infrastructure. We have places in this country that can't even pipe clean and safe drinking water to it's own citizens.

The four most valuable Infrastructure Projects America needs help ... Railroad, Highway, Power Grid and Airports. Those 4 where always supported by both Republicans and Democrats. Their return on investment has been 100x what America put into it. But we're too stupid to fix the obvious.

Americans did it to themselves, while watching politicians to brag about it and cash in on it.
Unmatched Ignorance.

How can one get so much wrong in three short paragraphs? My guess is the poison of liberalism.

[Mac-7]

.

Illegals didn't take those jobs. Illegals take the jobs no one will do, or wants to do.

When we have 20 million hungry and shoeless illegals in the country begging for work or free food or free healthcare or free education ...

and millions of lazy American drug abusers and just general all around welfare bums who claim they cant find jobs...

And Mister T assuring us they are indeed too lazy to accept jobs it creates a chicken or egg question.

who came first?

Lazy obama voters refusing to work or hungry mexicans who took the jobs away from the Americans?

Because there is no job in this country that Americans did not used to do.

[Mac-7]

Illegal aliens do drive the labor market down, there is no way they can't. However a bigger problem is chasing manufacturing off shore with the mental masturbation of corporate income tax

It isnt just high taxes.

Tree huggers hate manufacturing and industrial production and empose as many regulations as possible to force companies out of business.

[Mac-7]

.

Illegals didn't take those jobs. Illegals take the jobs no one will do, or wants to do.

When we have 20 million hungry and shoeless illegals in the country begging for work or free food or free healthcare or free education ...

and millions of lazy American drug abusers and just general all around welfare bums who claim they cant find jobs...

And Mister T assuring us they are indeed too lazy to accept jobs it creates a chicken or egg question.

why came first?

Lazy obama voters refusing to work or hungry mexicans who took the jobs away from the Americans?

Because there is no job in this country that Americans did not used to do.

[Peter1469]

America gleefully stopped investing in it's own citizens and stopped placing education as a priority. Manufacturing jobs has been evolving to more technology focus for decades and now the chickens have come home to roost. The more it becomes only the wealthy can get an good education, the less Americans will have to pull from their own knowledge base. While other countries are investing in themselves, they're sitting back and watching American spend more on Wars and Human Treasure, than educating its own people and investing in the only Jobs remaining in America that can't be outsourced ... it's own Failing Infrastructure. We have places in this country that can't even pipe clean and safe drinking water to it's own citizens.

The four most valuable Infrastructure Projects America needs help ... Railroad, Highway, Power Grid and Airports. Those 4 where always supported by both Republicans and Democrats. Their return on investment has been 100x what America put into it. But we're too stupid to fix the obvious.

Americans did it to themselves, while watching politicians to brag about it and cash in on it.

The bolded are largely local level projects.

[Cigar]

The bolded are largely local level projects.


I some case yes but mostly no ...

Example:
BNSF switching in Illinois is controlled in Texas
Air-traffic control is networked to be effective

[Cigar]

Unmatched Ignorance.

How can one get so much wrong in three short paragraphs? My guess is the poison of liberalism.

Are you going to participate or whine?

[Peter1469]

I some case yes but mostly no ...

Example:
BNSF switching in Illinois is controlled in Texas
Air-traffic control is networked to be effective

Airports are largely locally funded. Not federally funded.

[Cigar]

When we have 20 million hungry and shoeless illegals in the country begging for work or free food or free healthcare or free education ...

and millions of lazy American drug abusers and just general all around welfare bums who claim they cant find jobs...

And Mister T assuring us they are indeed too lazy to accept jobs it creates a chicken or egg question.

who came first?

Lazy obama voters refusing to work or hungry mexicans who took the jobs away from the Americans?

Because there is no job in this country that Americans did not used to do.

Solution ... if you have one hungry and shoeless illegal knocking on your door, call INS , don't hire him.

[Mac-7]

Solution ... if you have one hungry and shoeless illegal knocking on your door, call INS , don't hire him.

Call ins so that obumer can give him a green card and a welfare check?

[Cigar]

Call ins so that obumer can give him a green card and a welfare check?

Sure Mac ... you really give Conservatives a great name ... :rollseyes:

[Safety]

Sure Mac ... you really give Conservatives a great name ... :rollseyes:

That's why Trump is doing so well, the base speaks for themself.

[MisterVeritis]

Are you going to participate or whine?
I did participate. I observed that (nearly) everything you wrote was wrong.

[Tahuyaman]

Are you going to participate or whine?
There's a good one when you consider the source.

[decedent]

I want young people to work so I can blame them for taking my job.


Right. Hitler and Mussolini were not Tea Party types advocating for less government control over the lives of their citizens.

That's why I like Trump. He'd never advocate for control over the lives of citizens.

[Cigar]

I did participate. I observed that (nearly) everything you wrote was wrong.

I keep forgetting, you guys are experts ... on getting whipped for 8 years ... I bet you can't wait for Wednesday November 9th to brag about your Huge Victory. :grin:

[PNW]

that is absolutely correct. The combination of punitive taxation and burdensome regulations are causing all the problem with our economy.
Thats even more bullsh!t.

[Tahuyaman]

Thats even more bullsh!t.

so, in your mind is under taxation and too little regulation the problem?

[Mac-7]

I keep forgetting, you guys are experts ... on getting whipped for 8 years ... I bet you can't wait for Wednesday November 9th to brag about your Huge Victory. :grin:

We would nor brag or do disgusting endzone dances.

thats your bag.

we have been there before.

[Mac-7]

That's why Trump is doing so well, the base speaks for themself.

Only because we are capable of speaking for ourselves.

Its rather unlike libs who have to consult NPR or huffington post to find out what their opinion should be.

[Safety]

Only because we are capable of speaking for ourselves.

Its rather unlike libs who have to consult NPR or huffington post to find out what their opinion should be.

Then I say, don't slow down, speak more and louder, please.