News Journal of January 18, 2012: What Is A Good Report?

How often in recent times you heard that joblessness statistically fallen in numbers? Or you may had got word that fewer people are applying for unemployment benefits. Before accepting such reports as favorable news toward the future, it may be practical to consider a fuller picture. Employment figures might constitute various, working circumstances including vocational and part-time jobs. We can re-examine one sort of situation, a 38-year old single father just got a position grilling and flipping burgers at a fast-food restaurant.
He was a former, public servant who was laid off due to the county budget cuts. So now he is earning a little more than half the income previously to maintain  his mortgage debt, contribute to his ill son's health costs, other bills and daily necessities. People might say he should be delighted, be thankful to have a job, but are the feelings suitable in his day-to-day struggles and uncertain future? Somehow, for reasons insensitive such a man would be listed as gainfully employed in the latest, economic good news statistics.
The unemployment rate in the United Kingdom according to Business News increased to 8.6 percent, the highest since 1996. There are other, economic trouble spots in the world including Greece. In Washington D.C. Congressional leaders are in the process of reviewing the payroll tax cut which was recently extended into February, 2012. The payroll tax cut might be a government objective to stimulate the US economy. It is a measure, if I am correct here, to lessen the tax burden on roughly 160 million employees on their wages and self-employment income.
In agreement late last year with President Obama the US Congress had also extended unemployment benefits and averted deep cuts in Medicare benefits. The US President had been engaging as one of his major priorities-job creation. Obama had push for a 447 billion job creation bill. Congress voted against it last fall season, 2011. And no surprise pending, there would be confrontations between political parties on how the economy should be fixed. If those un-progressive disagreements in Washington D.C. develop we might be sure whatever good reports issued forth would not meet the needs of each citizen.
Today's Long Island Newsday on page four features a highlight of the 2012 Long Island Index Poll. According to it there is a noticeable percentage of Long Islanders facing challenges paying their rent or mortgage on time. From 35% to 61% of LI residents found these living expenses "somewhat difficult" to "very difficult". For many on Long Island being able to make ends meet is tough going. Is this same-like in your local area, among your family and associates? I look forward to future days when all peoples will not have financial worries and fear of losing their homes. Thank you for visiting, I look forward to returning here with more, news commentary.

Note: As for the single father stated before, he avoided working extensive overtime in order to spend more, quality time with his son. He soon let go of his house on a short sale, settling for a studio apartment. Two months later he switched occupations training first to be a home health aide, and then as a CNA, certified nursing aide. In the CNA class he met a single mother and later married her.
With their combined incomes the newlyweds transferred from their smaller, rented dwellings to share a larger apartment. They are raising their new family together with cautious consideration of purchasing a new home. The couple often examines their practical goals with their children in improving their lives, enhancing their contentment. You may wish them well.

cartoon by curtis w. jackson