*** Jobless Claims at a 49 Year Low, Wages Rising *** (unemployment, Congress, health care)

[DRob4JC]

I know it's all Kavanaugh all of the time, however...

Jobless claims fall to the lowest in nearly 49 years

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, hitting near a 49-year low in a sign the job market remains strong.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell by 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted level of 201,000 for the week ended Sept. 15, the Labor Department said on Thursday. That is the lowest level since November 1969.

...
The labor market is viewed as being near or at full employment. It continues to strengthen, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by 201,000 jobs in August and annual wage growth notching its biggest gain in more than nine years. Job openings hit an all-time high of 6.9 million in July.

This is what Trump and the Congressional Republicans have helped the private sector achieve. Tax cuts, reduction in regulations, trade issues... all are helping us create jobs for others and increasing wages.

[PCALMike]

Fake unemployment numbers. As Trump told us, the real number is closer to 30%. Perhaps 40% unemployed.

I also love how corporate mainstream media never talks about real median wage growth (wage growth for the typical worker in the middle adjusted for inflation). Instead they pull the wool over people's eyes by not excluding inflation while at the same time including Wall Street compensation packages as part of the "strong wages" for the American people.

[DRob4JC]

Originally Posted by PCALMike

Fake unemployment numbers. As Trump told us, the real number is closer to 30%. Perhaps 40% unemployed.

I also love how corporate mainstream media never talks about real median wage growth (wage growth for the typical worker in the middle adjusted for inflation). Instead they pull the wool over people's eyes by not excluding inflation while at the same time including Wall Street compensation packages as part of the "strong wages" for the American people.

I am not crazy about how they do the numbers either... but it's always how they have done the numbers.

If you haven't done it, I will dig into the numbers at some point.

[ChrisC]

Please refrain from mentioning any improvement in anything over the last two years. Doing so makes you responsible for any TDS seizures that may, and likely will, occur. You could be held liable for any institutionalization, medication, or cost related to straitjackets and padded walls.

[craigiri]

Let's be a little more specific and accurate.

I suggest we consider the very people who swung toward Trump and for whom he promised the world....winning everything. The so-called Forgotten man and Woman. Am I right?

OK, jobless claims have nothing to do with them. They have been low...almost full employment (except for those who aren't looking, etc.) for a number of years. The person working two or three jobs for 10-12 dollars an hour frankly could care less whether a figure is 3.75% or 3.95% or 4.1%.

We've already been through the stock market thing over and over. the top 14% own 86% of stocks. So the Forgotten Man and Woman is NOT caring about the Obama stock market rising or the Trump stock market.

Here is what they care about:

1. Wage Growth as compared to basic COL inflation - has gone nowhere for DECADES:
For most Americans, real wages have barely budged for decades | Pew Research Center
It's even worse for the forgotten man and woman....look at the chart! Even the median wages have risen very slowly.
Cost of Living is outpacing wage growth - all together. Even worse for those at the middle and below:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...=.4a9544796d7c

"Cost of living was up 2.9 percent from July 2017 to July 2018, the Labor Department reported Friday, an inflation rate that outstripped a 2.7 percent increase in wages over the same period"

So, the "win" here is .2% LESS that the middle class and below can buy with their wages.

2. Cost of Debt - Interest Rates - well, this is one that can't be disputed. The Fed raised rates again today and said they would do so 4X more in the next year. This will put the middle class and below, who survive ONLY through debt, in an even worse position......

3. Health Care - I won't even detail this, but we all know Trump is throwing people off the rolls of the insured.

Please - without talking about TDS or throwing out BS terms, explain how this translates to a much better life for the middle class and below????

[DRob4JC]

Originally Posted by ChrisC

Please refrain from mentioning any improvement in anything over the last two years. Doing so makes you responsible for any TDS seizures that may, and likely will, occur. You could be held liable for any institutionalization, medication, or cost related to straitjackets and padded walls.

Yeah - I better watch it. If I am ever up for the Supreme Court, this may come back to haunt me.

[Drewjdeg]

It's hard to be optimistic with a corporate debt bubble looming over everything. That's why I'm worried right now.

[banjomike]

Things were looking peachy in 2003, too.

[EastwardBound]

But, none of that matters because I heard Trump doesn't like women and might even but blacks in chains.

[tripleh]

Originally Posted by ChrisC

Please refrain from mentioning any improvement in anything over the last two years. Doing so makes you responsible for any TDS seizures that may, and likely will, occur. You could be held liable for any institutionalization, medication, or cost related to straitjackets and padded walls.

and crayons.