Reality Check -- The Economy

There’s a video segment on BBC World News America that I think everyone should see. It’s about the economy but it’s a human interest story.

US jobless rate at 26-year high

US employers cut 216,000 jobs in August, pushing the unemployment rate up to 9.7%, a 26-year high, official figures show.

Adam Brookes reports from Bend in Oregon, a town with one of the worst unemployment rates in the US.

When you hear these stories, it’s a good idea to keep in mind the numbers we are talking about.



This is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

”In August, the number of unemployed persons increased by 466,000 to 14.9 million, and the unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percentage point to 9.7 percent. “

14.9 MILLION

Take whatever percentage you would like to guess and come up with a number for how many Dan Hardts and Randy Worrells there are in America now. People that were in the middle class that now know firsthand how tough it is to be unemployed in America. You lose everything.

The next time some radio or political demagogue sneers the word “unemployed” -- how do you think these people will react to it ? The next time someone screams “welfare state” with all the hate they can muster -- what do you think will go through their minds ? I wonder what they think about health care reform ? I’m betting if their kid gets sick, they won’t care whether someone calls them a socialist or not. They will only care if someone helps them -- or not. They will care if their government helps.

Think about it. Think about it long and hard. See if the phrase “there but for the grace of God go I” doesn’t come to mind.

If you want to know how we got in this mess, there is a lengthy article in The New York Times Magazine by, none other than, Paul Krugman. I’m getting sheepish about calling him brilliant. But he’s brilliant. It will make for excellent weekend reading.

Add it all up and see what you think of the current sound and fury coming from the Republican Party.

Don Brown
September 4, 2009