This number comes from a survey of 150,000 businesses across the nation. The other number we look at is unemployment which is a survey of 60,000 households and is not subject to a revision.
Unemployment is actually 2 numbers and the one everyone looks at is the seasonally adjusted number. Unemployment is a very useful metric if you look at it over time but does not look at reality. Like if you are not actively looking for a job you are not counted because you are not in the labor force.
If you want REAL numbers unemployment is broken in to five other numbers.
2.8% of the population are unemployed AND looking for a job
49.2% of Americans are employed full time
10.9% of Americans are working part-time
2% are unemployed, want a job but are NOT looking
35.1% are unemployed but do not want a job (like me)
That is why many economists say America is nearing full employment. There are just not enough workers to grow the economy that much more. We're there!
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In other news - Columbus Water and Light is beginning to plan out switching all the Milwaukee Harp lights on Ludington with the new lights on James Street.
There have been a couple of complaints about how BRIGHT the new ones are but remember - they are new and not covered with semi exhaust yet and the new trees that will be planted are not yet giving off that dappling effect yet (since they are not planted).
Personally I have gotten rave reviews on the lights. Yea - shocking at first as they are "different" but I like them.
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GUNS!
There have been a good number of polls out about guns! here are some interesting numbers
66% of Americans are in favor of stricter gun control 87% Democrats and 49% Republicans
33% of Americans own a gun and 76% feel we need to raise the minimum age to buy a gun
87% of American feel we need to have stiffer back ground checks in order to buy a gun.
86% of Americans feel we shuld block sales of guns to people with a history of mental illness. (something the GOP got rid of last year)
42% of Americans feel we should arm teachers. 17% democrat's 72% GOP
62% of Americans feel we should ban assault style weapons
67% say we should ban high capacity ammo magazines
10% say we should ban ALL guns
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9 years ago America was at the bottom of the financial crisis. If you put $100 into the market on that day (as Obama suggested when he said "What you're now seeing is profit-and-earnings ratios are starting to get to the point where buying stocks is a potentially good deal if you've got a long-term perspective on it." NAILED IT! ) it would be worth $19,333 now.
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In a large survey want to know what woman say are the worst fashion mistakes men make?
1. Jean shorts! (Jorts)
2 Baggy relaxed fit jeans
3 Fedore's - it's not 1935
4. Fake glasses (people do this? )
5. socks AND sandals
6. Tucking your non-dress shirt into your non-dress pants
7. Pleated khaki pants
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Weather - but first. I changed my furnace filter yesterday. WOW - my old one was more like a solid brick of dry wall dust! It'll be interesting to see how long the furnace takes to reach 70 today (the Nest tracks that).
Weather - we COULD be nearing 60 next Friday. Until then hovering around 41ish until Thursday when we get a small warming trend but NEXT weekend looks like nothing but warmish rain.
Otherwise sun sun sun until NEXT Saturday when it's rain rain
