RIGHT NOW: President Obama's remarks about economy...just a few minutes

[alp227]

Streaming online at http://www.whitehouse.gov/live

Or turn on CNN or MSNBC if you're near a cable-connected television. I'm not sure if the broadcast networks will broadcast this conference. CNN reports that Obama's following his weekly economic briefing with this conference amid criticism that the administration hasn't really responded to the rising umemployment in America.

[sandnsea]

1. Unemployment is 9.5%

That's exactly what it was last year this time. No need to awfulize.

[griffi94]

2. try this

CNN reports that Obama's following his weekly economic briefing with this conference amid criticism that the administration hasn't really responded to continued high umemployment in America.

[sandnsea]

3. It is high, that's true

Although I disagree that the administration hasn't responded. 3 million jobs isn't exactly no response.

[alp227]

4. 3 million jobs...yeah frickin mainstream media

Apparently emotional appeal like "look at all the jobless people on your block" seems so much easier than real facts.

[sandnsea]

7. Well the facts are the facts

Unemployment isn't rising but it would be if the Administration hadn't responded.

There will always be jobless people on your block so that's really not the best way to measure economic success. Especially since some blocks in this country have no jobless people on them at all.

You can't really be pissed at the administration for not "getting its message out", and then turn around and make shit up and wonder why people have incorrect information.

[MannyGoldstein]

5. There are fewer jobs now than a year ago

But more people of working age.

The misleading unemployment number is only lower because so many workers have become discouraged and thus are not counted anymore - 500,000 in one month alone, if I recall correctly. Using the same method to calculate unemployment as was used prior to Clinton, the real number is close to 20%.

[griffi94]

6. i also believe

the unemployment number doesn't take under employment into account.
someone who was working a full time tch job last year but is now working 20 hours a week as a walmart greeter is still counted as employed

[sandnsea]

8. That figure is always about twice regular unemployment

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/learn-how-to-invest/The-real-unemployment-rate.aspx