by justinb
3. December 2009 14:08
The unemployed know better than any propaganda report that the job scene is much worse than actually reported. Take, for example, the fact that the number of employed for six months or longer is actually growing. That is, in addition to the growing national unemployment rate itself, which is the highest in over 25 years. Now lets mix in the $787 Billion Federal Stimulus package which effectively has done little to nothing to spur job growth - now the fog begins to clear so you can see what's really going on in the job market.
Washington apparently realizes that the job scene is a lot worse than actually reported given the fact that a jobs summit is being summoned as we speak. Essentially, big money power brokers are being called to Washington to meet with the President and top officials to find out what needs to happen to jump start job growth. Now how could things be good, if Washington is having a jobs summit meeting to address the jobs growth problem? You know why - because there isn't any job growth. In fact, the media trounces on any nuance of data, spins it - in an attempt to make the unsuspecting job seeker believe the job scene is looking up. Sorry to disappoint, but that just isn't the case.
If you're still a disbeliever take for example the report that initial jobless claims total 457,000 for the week ending November 28. This report is pitched as some glimmer of hope suggesting that the job scene is doing well since the 457,000 initial claims is the lowest in just under a year. First off, since when does nearly half a million people loosing their jobs become good news? Second, what these type of reports fail to mention is that typically speaking, initial claims are usually down during the holiday season as part time and or seasonal employment usually picks up during this period. Also, most employers are usually humane enough to forgo layoffs and downsizing until after the holiday season. So guess what's going to happen for the New Year? You know it - massive layoffs and pink slips will be handed out as a New Year's gift.
The bottom line is that job growth is all but non existent and job seekers demand accountability for the $787 Billion Stimulus debacle. Moreover, some members of Congress are talking about another stimulus package when we can't even get an explanation of where the current stimulus dollars have been spent. Job seekers may be unemployed but not stupid and everybody knows the job scene is a lot worse than actually reported. Moreover, until some real job growth hits the job market scene it will continue to get worse. 
