A thought about the unemployment rate

[Michael Jackson]

As an engineer, when I hear the Pundits say that the rate of unemployment claims is slowing down and that is a good thing, it reminds me of a simple example. Think of a large container that is full of water (full employment, jobs for all) then at the bottom of the container, we punch a hole (economic crisis). The water starts running out at a fast pace. But as the amount in the container decreases (economic slowdown) the water coming out slows down (unemployment rate slows down). Thus a slow down in the unemployment rate does not mean things are getting better, it means there is no more water in the container.

[Individualist]

Michael

I like your analogy. The only thing I would add to make it a more realistic metaphor for the OBama administration's ecomomic policy is instead of one hole, imagine someone thrusts it on a bed of nails and makes several holes at once.

But I guess that is just me being a glass half empty kind of guy!