Irrespective of what we presently hear from mainstream media and most politicians... we really don't turn the corner until meaningful reductions take place in the ranks of the long term unemployed.
- Only 66.8% of American men had a job last year. That was the lowest level that has ever been recorded in all of U.S. history.
- According to the Wall Street Journal, there are 5.5 million Americans that are currently unemployed and yet are not receiving unemployment benefits.
- The number of "low income jobs" in the U.S. has risen steadily over the past 30 years and they now account for 41 percent of all jobs in the United States.
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of about 5 million Americans were being hired every single month during 2006. Today, an average of about 3.5 million Americans are being hired every single month.
- When 2007 began, there were about 26 million Americans on food stamps. Today, there are over 44 million on food stamps, and one out of every four American children is on food stamps.
- 59 percent of all Americans now receive money from the federal government in one form or another.
I just recently came across 'The Layoff List' blog-site. Started to highlight the employment picture and to list layoff announcements, but evolved to include personal stories of the unemployed, government employment data and economic commentary.
It's designed to be informative about the plight of the unemployed, especially the long-term unemployed... and for 2.5 years it has been dedicated to those who have suffered the most during this Great Recession.
You can subscribe and receive updates, and all support will help it continue its work for the jobless and disadvantaged.
99ers and the Long-term Unemployed - Elephants in the Economic Recovery Room
