16% umemployment rate in Montana

[mark6052]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

Also construction. I have a neighbor who works in the construction industry and works every Spring-Fall so they can earn enough time to get unemployment all winter. Every year. What a racket! I'm sure others do the same thing.

Its not a "racket" its a way of life. Its not possible to work 12months ayear sometimes. Constuction work is seasonal and cyclicle. some years I made great money and stayed steady, others you just get by till things get better. also remember that unemployment rates are based on the last 5 quarters. being unemployed cuts it down. Trust me they would rather work 12 months ayear than have people think there "working" the system.

[nature's cathedral]

People live in poverty so a small cadre of very wealthy people can look at undisturbed forests and mountains. Look at the oil issue in Flathead county where the government is actively seeking to prevent oil development in the shadow of endemic unemployment. Just imagine how much development, prosperity, and jobs we would have in the this country if the only means of Leviathan to feed itself was from such development. Get rid of the evil income tax that makes it significantly harder for people to save and attain wealth while leaving families like the Kennedys completely alone, and replace it with a national severance tax on mineral, oil, and gas development. However, don't forget to take away the beast's credit card.

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by mark6052

Its not a "racket" its a way of life. Its not possible to work 12months ayear sometimes. Constuction work is seasonal and cyclicle. some years I made great money and stayed steady, others you just get by till things get better. also remember that unemployment rates are based on the last 5 quarters. being unemployed cuts it down. Trust me they would rather work 12 months ayear than have people think there "working" the system.

To her, it's a racket. She was working for a concrete outfit that does work all year. She quit and switched to a highway crew. She told me she switched because she doesn't like working all winter. That, is a racket!

[Floridahater]

Originally Posted by Mt-7

We should take into account that there is little industry in that area, mines are shut down, logging (like Oregon) has been enviromented to death. But wow that is a staggering number.

Depressing, indeed! I thought that we were in a recovery cycle (if one were to believe the MSM mantra)!

[Count David]

Originally Posted by mama32

I heard once that unemployment is measured by the # of people receiving unemployment insurance, not counting those who weren't eligible or who have exhausted their benefits. Any truth to that?

Originally Posted by Mt-7

Yep, that is how I understand it.

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

Think about this. How can they count those people that don't or can't apply?

They talley those that are registered and seeking work. Those that are drawing unemployment.

If they did it any other way, they'd be counting stay at home mom's and retired folks.

Originally Posted by DOUBLE H

ElkHunter is right. As far as the statistics (aka computer) are concerned, once your unemployment benefits run out, you either died, moved out of the country, or found a job.

How the Government Measures Unemployment

Some people think that to get these figures on unemployment, the Government uses the number of persons filing claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits under State or Federal Government programs. But some people are still jobless when their benefits run out, and many more are not eligible at all or delay or never apply for benefits. So, quite clearly, UI information cannot be used as a source for complete information on the number of unemployed.

Because unemployment insurance records relate only to persons who have applied for such benefits, and since it is impractical to actually count every unemployed person each month, the Government conducts a monthly sample survey called the Current Population Survey (CPS) to measure the extent of unemployment in the country.

Who is not in the labor force?

Labor force measures are based on the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years old and over. Excluded are persons under 16 years of age, all persons confined to institutions such as nursing homes and prisons, and persons on active duty in the Armed Forces. As mentioned previously, the labor force is made up of the employed and the unemployed. The remainder—those who have no job and are not looking for one—are counted as "not in the labor force." Many who are not in the labor force are going to school or are retired. Family responsibilities keep others out of the labor force.

[Mt-7]

thanks for all that info

[magoomafoo]

The rate is going to jump up if this weather keeps up-

[MontanaGyrl]

Lincoln County is always the worst county in the state for unemployment, no matter what year or decade you're talking about. I've lived there before and it's the pits.

[GLS]

Originally Posted by mark6052

Its not a "racket" its a way of life. Its not possible to work 12months ayear sometimes. Constuction work is seasonal and cyclicle. some years I made great money and stayed steady, others you just get by till things get better. also remember that unemployment rates are based on the last 5 quarters. being unemployed cuts it down. Trust me they would rather work 12 months ayear than have people think there "working" the system.

In the process of being defensive about the term "racket", you have offered the hypothesis that "it is not possible to work 12 months a year". While this might be true if you ONLY agreed to work construction, most people work throughout the year. You may consider other jobs menial or beneath you, but there ARE other jobs outside construction. A skilled construction worker may make a decision not to accept any other employment, but it still is an abuse of the intent of the system.

The intent of the unemployment insurance is to transition a person from one job to another assuming that person is making a sincere effort to find gainful employment.

I have this same discussion (argument) with my friend's son who works "fire season" for the government, then draws unemployment for six months, refusing all job offers in the interim. He actually makes a tremendous salary during fire season, enough to last him for the other six months of the year, but he states, "All my buddies coast off the government for the rest of the year". My response is, "While I value your contribution during fire season, I don't like paying your unemployment while you sit on your butt for six months. Next fire season when you are raking in the big bucks, maybe you should pay me to take a six month vacation".

You might choose to debate the term "racket" vs "its a way of life". However, it should be obvious that a system where some people have to toil year around to pay for others who intentionally "coast" for six months, is neither fair, nor financially sustainable in the long term.

[Threerun]

I knew plenty of construction workers that had to take mandatory furloughs during the harshest months. Some had enough to get by, others split firewood or did other odd jobs to tide them over but they all took advantage of any unemployment benefits available to them.

Unemployment benefits are supposed to be a safety net during non-recurring events such as plant closings, layoffs etc.. Not to be used as a seasonal supplement during slower times. That's what SAVINGS are for. I guess some folks didn't pay attention to the story about the ant and the grasshopper, instead relying on taxpayers larder to get fed.