Hindrocket talks about the announced increase in jobs last month, and offers some insight into where those numbers come from. Fair enough.
I find it very strange, however, that people don’t react to hard numbers, but relative ones. How many times have we heard of an increase in profits by some company, or a decrease in dividends paid, or an increase in unemployment, and then heard, “Less than analysts expected,” or, “More than anticipated.” And this difference between what was predicted and what actually came to pass was hailed as a success or failure.
If, in this case, the number of payroll jobs increased, is that not a good thing? Why is it bad because some clairvoyants got their prediction wrong? If profits are down, but they are down less than anticipated, aren’t they still down?
Sounds to me we should be chastising those who predicted incorrectly rather than patting them on the back then talking about how terrible things are because something didn’t perform as predicted.
What an odd society we’ve become.
Everything is relative. Hard numbers, without perspective, mean little when veiwed in a larger context. I am young and these numbers are very worrisome to me:
And that was back in March.
So, 32,000 jobs were added in July and roughly 137,000 people were added to the pool of working people. On top of that inflation adjusted wages are falling. Not so good.
I am rfidtag and I approve this message.
Comment by rfidtag — August 6, 2004 @ 5:21 pm
Relating the number of jobs added to the increase or decrease of the size of the workforce makes sense. Comparing it to predictions doesn’t.
Based on your numbers, I’d say we need to close the borders. All those jobs illegals take that “Americans won’t do” might just open up a few positions.
Comment by Bunker — August 6, 2004 @ 5:37 pm
Good idea, but are you willing to pay for that? I, for one, endevor to buy Union products made in the USA. It ends up costing me more in the short term, but I figure I am putting my money where my mouth is. But most are willing to forego that for a product a per dollars cheaper at Walmart.
Do you like the current direction of: “We need to exceed Wall Streets expectations every quarter by x percent?” I think that is the real pipe dream.
Sometimes I think companies would be better off as private entities. For a case in point watch Google’s IPO. Not blue collar, but it does have a fairly large, stable workforce…It will be intersting to see how they cope with the added pressure.
Comment by rfidtag — August 6, 2004 @ 6:54 pm
Bill Gates did that and had people after him because he was successful. At one time there were over 300 millionaires working at Microsoft.
I’m willing to pay more to close the borders. I get tired of hearing that Americans won’t do those jobs. They once did. But now, they won’t do them for the amount of pay offered. I don’t like unions, and never have. Their time has passed. They simply protect the incompetent now. Any company wanting to survive does all it can to take care of employees. They’ve learned that’s better than going through the pain of dealing with a union.
A new shop opened next door to my barber. A young couple own it. He does AC work, and they sell all kinds of air filters in the shop. I will buy mine there rather than at Home Depot because I want to see small businesses grow. It may cost me an extra buck, but it’s one I’m willing to spend. I never set foot in Wal-Mart, although I did when the kids were small as a convenience. I prefer small, specialty shops where I know I can get what I’m looking for.
And that’s where the new jobs are created.
Comment by Bunker — August 7, 2004 @ 1:47 pm