[Califreak]

I believe the real unemployment figures are far far higher than reported.

I wonder sometimes if there hasn’t been a healthy increase in under the table and barter among those of us who are truly disgusted at a government that hasn’t represented us in decades.

Not saying theres a correlation though.

[Zakeet]

I consider the U6 unemployment figure to be a more accurate measure of unemployment than the U1-U5.

I believe the real unemployment figures are far far higher than reported.

For years, John Williams at Shadowstats.com has been applying current economic data to the government's historical definitions of various economic indicators (they change their algorithms as politics mandate). The above shows the current result of his exercise.

[Buckeye McFrog]

I believe the real unemployment figures are far far higher than reported.

Like my unemployed neighbor.

He is a skilled union craftsman with very valuable skills. Yet he managed to weasel his way onto some kind of disability program. Now he spends his days at home, drinking beer and watching porn.

And he seems to be not at all unhappy with the arrangement.