WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits rose more than expected last week, but the trend remained consistent with sustained strength in the labor market.
Initial claims for state unemployment aid increased by 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 298,000 for the week ended Dec. 27, the Labor Department said on Wednesday, after four straight weeks of declines.
U.S. jobless claims rise but labor market still firming - Yahoo News
We are still in a recession.
The Feds won't admit that.
Our jobs have been going to foreign labor markets since the early 60's. In addition, we off-shore out-source jobs, import labor, and have millions of illegal immigrants living and working in this country. Since the early 60's we've lost all or part of the textile, steel, electronics, appliance, tool, toy, farm equipment, furniture, and automotive parts industries. We've closed our plants and factories in favor of strengthening foreign labor markets. We've sacrifices our economic well-being in favor of supporting foreign economies. We no longer have an adequate number of living wage jobs that cover all education and skill levels. Instead, our work force is living off of government assistance programs and unemployment checks.
Due to unfair, unjust, and one-sided foreign trade agreements and policies, we've created a poor and dependent society. America no longer produces what America uses and consumes. We've become import dependent. In addition, labor unions have priced American made goods almost out of reach of the majority of American consumers. We can not compete with $5.00 a day wages, and child labor working 18 hours a day in sweat shops. Our standard of living does not allow us to fairly compete in the global market place. We had rather close our plants and factories and place our work force in long unemployment lines, than to demand fair, equal, and balanced foreign trade with our many trading partners. We have a rapidly growing population, and not near enough living wage jobs to meet the demand. The jobs that once provided living wage opportunities that covered all education and skill levels, are now on foreign soil.
Also, we have college grads flipp'in burgers and living with their parents. We have workers underemployed, working part-time jobs, and many have given up looking for work. We have workers of retirement age forced to remain working. Our job market can not support the demand for jobs.
Yes, we're still in a recession/depression, we never got out of it. It's government debt that keeps our economy afloat, and makes it appear to be improving and doing well. Companies are producing more with less employees, and innovation, technology, and automation have replaced some workers, in addition to companies offering less company paid benefits. The net results are fewer jobs, less pay, and more "real" unemployment. Americans have become consumers and not producers. Most of what we use and consume is imported. Store shelves have far more imported goods on them than American made goods. And, with the gap between real wages and the cost of living, most Americans can not afford American made goods. Americans have to make their dollars stretch as far as possible in order to survive.
Jobs are created through the demand for goods and services, and through R&D. Employers do not hire just to be hiring. Employers are not going to hire people to just sit in their break rooms all day. Employers hire in order to satisfy the needs of their customers. With less spendable income in the pockets of consumers, there's less demand for goods and services. And, as far as I know, there's absolutely nothing in the works to turn things around in the near future. But, there is one possibility that would put millions back to work. That is to repair and upgrade our infrastructure. I fail to see why this hasn't been done already. In summary, the jobs market doesn't look rosy and bright from where I'm standing.
