"Another indicator that may have received less attention is the 15-Week unemployment rate—the percent of the labor force that has been unemployed for 15 weeks or longer and is still looking for employment. In December, 2007 this statistic stood at only 1.6%. In February, 2010, it was 363% higher at 5.8%."

"The federal government can stimulate the economy in the short term not by increased spending and borrowing but rather by improving incentives and the general economic environment. Businesses invest not when they are manipulated by Washington, but when they are confident enough to take risks in pursuit of opportunity. Individuals and businesses across the nation see tremendous opportunities for starting new businesses, investment, hiring new workers, expanding into new markets. Understandably, many are holding back due to concerns about the economy. However, many others are holding back due to concerns about the threatening policies from Washington while others are holding back because existing tax and regulatory burdens are already excessive. For private sector job creation to “jumpstart” in the President’s words, the first step is to fire Washington’s job destruction machine. The President and his allies need not repudiate their ideology, as helpful as that would be, but they do need to hit the pause button on their anti-growth policies."

"Minimum Wage, Maximum Teenage Joblessness ."

"As American workers struggle with near double-digit unemployment, unskilled factory workers here in China’s industrial heartland are being offered signing bonuses."

"....translating to close to 30 million Americans who are working less than their desired capacity. Those who were underemployed reported spending 36% less than those who were employed, $48 per day versus $75 per day."

"Based on this data , I am thinking that the good life starts the day one gets a job as an employee of your local Labor Union and in fact those overpaid financial sector people might want to change jobs!"