On 02/08/10 06:43 pm, HeyBub wrote:

Many of those unemployed folks have flocked to the states where the
economy is in fairly decent shape, Texas in particular. The apparent
unemployment rate in TX is lower than most states, even though it
appears higher than it really is due to all the unemployed folks
flocking here to find work.

Correct. The report I read said the umemployment rate was up to 8.3%
(from 8.0) but 62,000 jobs had been added. The only way that can
happen is more folks moving in than jobs created.

It's government math. The those capable of working but who have given up
looking for work are not counted amongst the "unemployed."

I'm sure the statistics were much more accurate in UK and Australia when
the unemployed had to register with the govt-run employment agency to
get their unemployment benefits, keep reporting back every so often, and
show evidence of having applied for the jobs that appeared to be a good
fit. Of course the unemployed were encouraged to look for work through
other channels as well.

If there is a period after which person can no longer collect
unemployment benefits, how does anybody know that that person is still
unemployed?

Perce