The unemployment rate increased in 23 states in September, with 43 reporting job losses for the month (though not at an accelerating rate). This does signal that we're (hopefully) in the early stages of an economic recovery ... though this can also mean that some job seekers have just given up (and are no longer counted).

Layoffs have slowed down a bit, but companies aren't crazy about taking on new bodies. So far, 600,000 people have dropped out of the hunt. Unemployment now sits at 9.8%.

Continue reading Unemployment up in 23 states, 15 set records

Unemployment up in 23 states, 15 set records originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In the April 23, Wall Street Journal, Senator Sherrod Brown, (D) Ohio, made a realistic assessment of current government trade policy and how it is diluting the strength of our country. I think that Senator Brown was just a bit gentle with his words, and understandably so when given his position. Suffice it to say that I agree with him for the most part, but he should have just cut to the chase. The American working class has been sold out. He also failed to make one critical point about NAFTA. It was his party and the guidance of Bill Clinton that navigated that document into law.

Partisan politics aside, I believe that current American trade standards are something we need to be ashamed of. As a free market capitalist, I have nothing against the survival of the fittest in the worlds of manufacturing and business. However, we're beholden to good sense to provide a level playing field and to maintain benchmark standards. In that regard, American workers have been shorted. Our trade deficit is a testament to the decline of the American Dream. It's a dream, while not referred to by that name, that resides in the hearts of workers the world over. Every parent wants their children to have a greater degree of opportunity and safety than they had.

Continue reading An Ohio senator opines on free trade

An Ohio senator opines on free trade originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading U.S. economy adds 94K jobs in November, above estimate

U.S. economy adds 94K jobs in November, above estimate originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.