The next contributor, in my very humble opinion, was more on the mark. "Weak Demand is the Problem" by Laura Tyson. There is no magic wand to wave. I make most of my living by selling equipment mainly to the construction industry, noone wants to see a return to 2006 more than me, but it ain't happening. At least not for the next 5 years or so. I like many others had to find other sources of income and different customers. Not easy of course, and I'm still working much harder to earn less than I have in the years 1998 -2006. Obama, Cuomo, Bernanke, Boehner and all the rest aren't going to help much. I don't expect them to, I just want them to stay out of the way. The American people are ingenious and persistent, we will get through this, it's going to be a while though.
If you are a young adult, education is the key, From the article:
"An increasing number of jobs require a college education, but both college completion rates and the supply of male college graduates have stagnated. That’s one reason why the unemployment rate of those with just a high-school education is more than twice the unemployment rate of those with a college education or higher. Another is that the unemployment problem caused by the recession has been especially severe for younger workers for whom there are few entry-level jobs and career training systems."
College continues to be ridiculously expensive, I have been helping all 3 of my children with their educations, even while my income has been dropping. It's worth it, they'll need it. Do what you have to do, it's a hard cold world out there and it's not getting any easier. Company paid training is going to continue to go away, you need to train yourselves. You're still going to have to work hard to have a good life, but without an education, you will be severely screwed.
This is a horribly complex question.
First you have to understand unemployment.
Wikipedia's article is good if you have 1-3 hours to read.....available to actually understand some economics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclical_unemployment
Generally more govt intervention = more unemployment
The government needs to provide education to reduce (structural) unemployment that results from a lack of education. This comes from tax breaks/financial aid for continuing education. CONTINUING YOUR EDUCATION IS THE NUMBER ONE WAY TO STAY EMPLOYED, next to moving to South East Asia. Education increases the number of jobs you qualify for, from Community College, to getting a masters, to taking bartenders classes on the weekends.
Macro economic policies must be in line with providing firms with the incentives to hire (less unions, [unfortunately] less regulation/standards, tariffs/taxes). The more govt assistance programs the worse off, they all make each person recieving them at least a tiny bit complacent. (See Scandanavian social welfare examples where there is no incentive to work because they make more unemployed permanently) http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/business/global/14frugal.html?_r=1
It is extremely important to remember that just because a company has the ability to hire more, does not make them obligated to hire more. Say I were a 21 year physically fit man and my driveway was snowed in. Yeah of course I could hire some child to do it, but I am perfectly capable of doing so myself. It comes down to the value placed on the task being performed, and the higher educated you are the more (hopefully if you actually learned/participated) the more complex tasks you can perform.
The short answer is unemployment is controlled by all those factors listed above.
Oh by the way, Im about to graduate with a degree in International Economics/Business and I NEED A JOB. I can do anything you can do, better (if you teach me).
James, you make the following two statements to which I agree:
"Generally more govt intervention = more unemployment"
"The more govt assistance programs the worse off"
Then your solution is "The government needs to provide education...from tax breaks/financial aid for continuing education"
First, that is more gov't intervention. Second, why is it the job of gov't to provide education?
I've read several different articles about Baby Boomers about to retire in mass, and not enough people (Gen X) to fill them.
As of Jan 1, 2011 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day....for 19 years! There are 76 million Baby Boomers and about 46 million Gen Xers to take their place. That's 30 million jobs difference!
I remember a (baby boomer) friend of mine, who is a nurse, telling me YEARS ago:
Julie, we NEED nurses!!! When my generation retires YOURS will have no one to take care of you! Scary.....
Also, a lot of people lost thier jobs in the past 10 years or so to automation! COMPUTERS took their jobs! (Sara Conner was right!)
For the economy to recover, we need to quit taxing business to death, and the gov't needs to stop meddling in everything!
I'm remembering a post by Chris Barons asking if any of us who whine about taxes all the time were going to invest anything in 14020. Chris, my answer is YES! Believe it or not.
Why?
Because I'm not fearful of some HUGE and unfair tax increase from the Feds anymore (Bush tax cuts extended!)
So, YES, I am starting another business.....in Batavia. Taking another risk... And I hope to create some JOBS for folks in town in the future, and maybe even get to contribute some ad revenue to The Batavian :) (that's the plan anyway)
I NEVER would have given this a thought if the Tax Cuts were allowed to expire. I am sure there are other business folks in town who feel the same way, they just don't like to rant ;)
Chris, I'm not ragging on you at ALL...I'm just putting my $ where my mouth is.
I meant more along the lines of single mothers, younger people, those financially unable but can prove they have the drive/will/ability to suceed in education.
Definitions and Basics
Public Goods and Externalities, from the Concise Encyclopedia of Economics
Most economic arguments for government intervention are based on the idea that the marketplace cannot provide public goods or handle externalities. Public health and welfare programs, education, roads, research and development, national and domestic security, and a clean environment all have been labeled public goods.
Public goods have two distinct aspects—"nonexcludability" and "nonrivalrous consumption." Nonexcludability means that nonpayers cannot be excluded from the benefits of the good or service. If an entrepreneur stages a fireworks show, for example, people can watch the show from their windows or backyards. Because the entrepreneur cannot charge a fee for consumption, the fireworks show may go unproduced, even if demand for the show is strong....
While i proscribe to this definition of public goods I <b>do not</b> think that we in the USA do it right, and I think there is no place on Earth that is currently "in the right" on public services. Welfare and healthcare are my main problems with the world governments
Go for it, Julie. My only observation, you were off mark paraphrasing my comment. The subject I was commenting on was tax breaks for top earners. It was suggested that the richest Americans were holding back on investing in business development until the Bush era tax breaks were continued. I queried, when would the benefits hit Batavia since the tax break was a done deal?
Just sayin'... ( There. I did it. I used the just sayin' line. )
Chris, I am starting a new business (without asking for any hand outs) in Batavia. I would NOT have started a new business if the Bush tax cuts were left to expire.
Therefore, the Bush tax cut benefit is hitting Batavia!
I am also sure that there are other folks around who are now more willing to try a new business because of the same reason.....
It is the "Rich Americans" who take the risks so that YOU may have a job.
If the Gov't taxes the crap out of them, they are just going to live off of dividends and let the working people starve. That is just the way it is.
I have never been offered a job from someone who has no money.
Deal with the tax issue, and the private sector will come up with the jobs...
Well, I'm glad your taxes went down. ...Guess I'll have to find a way into your bracket.
On a related note... The Cuomo Medicaid Redesign Team will be in Rochester on Thursday from 1:30 to 4:30 PM at the Strong Museum (employed persons' ideas aren't being sought, judging from the hours). Michael Dowling (team co-chair) explained that Medicaid's growth rate is unsustainable, and the team is seeking feedback to redesign the program.
Don't you realize that there are a lots of average Joe's out there who have investments in the markets? The gov't (Obama's people)wanted to raise the dividend tax to 20%. That includes EVERYONE, including YOU, me and Howard. The capital gains rate was going to go up to almost 40%. That is unacceptable. Thankfully, some people with some sense (and experience) got Obama up to speed.
Newsflash: Lots of everyday people buy and sell stocks. Not just "rich people"
That was interesting, James thanks for sharing. I guess my point was, getting a college education is not a guarantee of a decent-paying job. There are plenty of graduates who could tell you that. It is flat out expensive and you will have loans to pay off. That sucks, I know. But if one doesn't educate themselves and make themselves someone a company will want to hire, or become an entrepreneur, the options are poor, bad and worse. If you're waiting for the government to entice a company to build a factory near your home so you can go get a job pushing buttons like people could do in the 60's, you will be disappointed. The good old days are not coming back. Take matters into your own hands, like James apparently did and make your own future. No one is going to do it for you.
The next contributor, in my
The next contributor, in my very humble opinion, was more on the mark. "Weak Demand is the Problem" by Laura Tyson. There is no magic wand to wave. I make most of my living by selling equipment mainly to the construction industry, noone wants to see a return to 2006 more than me, but it ain't happening. At least not for the next 5 years or so. I like many others had to find other sources of income and different customers. Not easy of course, and I'm still working much harder to earn less than I have in the years 1998 -2006. Obama, Cuomo, Bernanke, Boehner and all the rest aren't going to help much. I don't expect them to, I just want them to stay out of the way. The American people are ingenious and persistent, we will get through this, it's going to be a while though.
If you are a young adult, education is the key, From the article:
"An increasing number of jobs require a college education, but both college completion rates and the supply of male college graduates have stagnated. That’s one reason why the unemployment rate of those with just a high-school education is more than twice the unemployment rate of those with a college education or higher. Another is that the unemployment problem caused by the recession has been especially severe for younger workers for whom there are few entry-level jobs and career training systems."
College continues to be ridiculously expensive, I have been helping all 3 of my children with their educations, even while my income has been dropping. It's worth it, they'll need it. Do what you have to do, it's a hard cold world out there and it's not getting any easier. Company paid training is going to continue to go away, you need to train yourselves. You're still going to have to work hard to have a good life, but without an education, you will be severely screwed.
My two cents worth.
This is a horribly complex
This is a horribly complex question.
First you have to understand unemployment.
Wikipedia's article is good if you have 1-3 hours to read.....available to actually understand some economics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclical_unemployment
Generally more govt intervention = more unemployment
The government needs to provide education to reduce (structural) unemployment that results from a lack of education. This comes from tax breaks/financial aid for continuing education. CONTINUING YOUR EDUCATION IS THE NUMBER ONE WAY TO STAY EMPLOYED, next to moving to South East Asia. Education increases the number of jobs you qualify for, from Community College, to getting a masters, to taking bartenders classes on the weekends.
Macro economic policies must be in line with providing firms with the incentives to hire (less unions, [unfortunately] less regulation/standards, tariffs/taxes). The more govt assistance programs the worse off, they all make each person recieving them at least a tiny bit complacent. (See Scandanavian social welfare examples where there is no incentive to work because they make more unemployed permanently)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/business/global/14frugal.html?_r=1
It is extremely important to remember that just because a company has the ability to hire more, does not make them obligated to hire more. Say I were a 21 year physically fit man and my driveway was snowed in. Yeah of course I could hire some child to do it, but I am perfectly capable of doing so myself. It comes down to the value placed on the task being performed, and the higher educated you are the more (hopefully if you actually learned/participated) the more complex tasks you can perform.
The short answer is unemployment is controlled by all those factors listed above.
Oh by the way, Im about to
Oh by the way, Im about to graduate with a degree in International Economics/Business and I NEED A JOB. I can do anything you can do, better (if you teach me).
James, you make the following
James, you make the following two statements to which I agree:
"Generally more govt intervention = more unemployment"
"The more govt assistance programs the worse off"
Then your solution is "The government needs to provide education...from tax breaks/financial aid for continuing education"
First, that is more gov't intervention. Second, why is it the job of gov't to provide education?
I've read several different
I've read several different articles about Baby Boomers about to retire in mass, and not enough people (Gen X) to fill them.
As of Jan 1, 2011 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day....for 19 years! There are 76 million Baby Boomers and about 46 million Gen Xers to take their place. That's 30 million jobs difference!
http://www.myarticlearchive.com/articles/8/121.htm (this is just one piece on this issue)
I remember a (baby boomer) friend of mine, who is a nurse, telling me YEARS ago:
Julie, we NEED nurses!!! When my generation retires YOURS will have no one to take care of you! Scary.....
Also, a lot of people lost thier jobs in the past 10 years or so to automation! COMPUTERS took their jobs! (Sara Conner was right!)
For the economy to recover, we need to quit taxing business to death, and the gov't needs to stop meddling in everything!
I'm remembering a post by Chris Barons asking if any of us who whine about taxes all the time were going to invest anything in 14020. Chris, my answer is YES! Believe it or not.
Why?
Because I'm not fearful of some HUGE and unfair tax increase from the Feds anymore (Bush tax cuts extended!)
So, YES, I am starting another business.....in Batavia. Taking another risk... And I hope to create some JOBS for folks in town in the future, and maybe even get to contribute some ad revenue to The Batavian :) (that's the plan anyway)
I NEVER would have given this a thought if the Tax Cuts were allowed to expire. I am sure there are other business folks in town who feel the same way, they just don't like to rant ;)
Chris, I'm not ragging on you at ALL...I'm just putting my $ where my mouth is.
Peace
I meant more along the lines
I meant more along the lines of single mothers, younger people, those financially unable but can prove they have the drive/will/ability to suceed in education.
Definitions and Basics
Public Goods and Externalities, from the Concise Encyclopedia of Economics
Most economic arguments for government intervention are based on the idea that the marketplace cannot provide public goods or handle externalities. Public health and welfare programs, education, roads, research and development, national and domestic security, and a clean environment all have been labeled public goods.
Public goods have two distinct aspects—"nonexcludability" and "nonrivalrous consumption." Nonexcludability means that nonpayers cannot be excluded from the benefits of the good or service. If an entrepreneur stages a fireworks show, for example, people can watch the show from their windows or backyards. Because the entrepreneur cannot charge a fee for consumption, the fireworks show may go unproduced, even if demand for the show is strong....
While i proscribe to this definition of public goods I <b>do not</b> think that we in the USA do it right, and I think there is no place on Earth that is currently "in the right" on public services. Welfare and healthcare are my main problems with the world governments
Go for it, Julie. My only
Go for it, Julie. My only observation, you were off mark paraphrasing my comment. The subject I was commenting on was tax breaks for top earners. It was suggested that the richest Americans were holding back on investing in business development until the Bush era tax breaks were continued. I queried, when would the benefits hit Batavia since the tax break was a done deal?
Just sayin'... ( There. I did it. I used the just sayin' line. )
Chris, I am starting a new
Chris, I am starting a new business (without asking for any hand outs) in Batavia. I would NOT have started a new business if the Bush tax cuts were left to expire.
Therefore, the Bush tax cut benefit is hitting Batavia!
I am also sure that there are other folks around who are now more willing to try a new business because of the same reason.....
It is the "Rich Americans" who take the risks so that YOU may have a job.
If the Gov't taxes the crap out of them, they are just going to live off of dividends and let the working people starve. That is just the way it is.
I have never been offered a job from someone who has no money.
Deal with the tax issue, and the private sector will come up with the jobs...
Lower taxes = jobs and prosperity
Well, I'm glad your taxes
Well, I'm glad your taxes went down. ...Guess I'll have to find a way into your bracket.
On a related note... The Cuomo Medicaid Redesign Team will be in Rochester on Thursday from 1:30 to 4:30 PM at the Strong Museum (employed persons' ideas aren't being sought, judging from the hours). Michael Dowling (team co-chair) explained that Medicaid's growth rate is unsustainable, and the team is seeking feedback to redesign the program.
Chris, I am not in that
Chris, I am not in that bracket either, OK.
EVERYONES taxes went down. It's a GOOD thing!
Don't you realize that there are a lots of average Joe's out there who have investments in the markets? The gov't (Obama's people)wanted to raise the dividend tax to 20%. That includes EVERYONE, including YOU, me and Howard. The capital gains rate was going to go up to almost 40%. That is unacceptable. Thankfully, some people with some sense (and experience) got Obama up to speed.
Newsflash: Lots of everyday people buy and sell stocks. Not just "rich people"
just tweeted from Mr. Richard
just tweeted from Mr. Richard Florida, the most interesting author alive:
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/01/is-college-worth-it…
That was interesting, James
That was interesting, James thanks for sharing. I guess my point was, getting a college education is not a guarantee of a decent-paying job. There are plenty of graduates who could tell you that. It is flat out expensive and you will have loans to pay off. That sucks, I know. But if one doesn't educate themselves and make themselves someone a company will want to hire, or become an entrepreneur, the options are poor, bad and worse. If you're waiting for the government to entice a company to build a factory near your home so you can go get a job pushing buttons like people could do in the 60's, you will be disappointed. The good old days are not coming back. Take matters into your own hands, like James apparently did and make your own future. No one is going to do it for you.
Here's a wonderful chance for
Here's a wonderful chance for someone (Julie?) to help the economy: Hire me!
Experienced in successful team building and leadership in business/retail management AND Human Resources.