What do you say to Republicans

[nevergiveup]

who keep quoting double digit unemployment rates in the 70's as proof that the economy is not as bad off as reported.

[Bad Thoughts]

1. We used to count unemployment differently

Official numbers used to count more people. U3 makes the numbers look smaller. If you want to turn the conversation around, talk about the historic lows in the employment rate.

[dem629]

2. Just say what Bush says: "History will have to be the judge."

That way, you don't have to account for anything!

[rufus dog]

3. How about a riddle for them

Ask them to go check on the jobs created under Carter and then the jobs created under Bush. (Carter created 3x) then ask them ... how did Carter create more jobs but end up with a higher unemployment rate.

Let them take the time to research the first question, then the are invested in the discovery.


p.s. when some come back and tell you that Presidents/Gov't doesn't create jobs, business' do. Tell them it appears that Carter did a hell of a lot better job of staying out of the way then Bush and the Republicans did.


Edit - Bad Thoughts gave the answer in one. A lot of it has to do with how the unemployment rate is counted. (It was changed to only those on unemployment benefits, not those who ran through their benefits) Also we have more of a service economy, so a lot of people are under employed and people like me who are basically independent contractors, won't show up in unemployment figures. I may have a lot less jobs and am not billing full time, but that doesn't count. In the 70's there weren't a many independent IT consultants, now there are hundred of thousands.