The Ebb of Employment

Ebb - 1. noun, the reflux of the tide toward the sea 
          2. noun, a point or condition of decline

Since the start of the 2012 Presidential race, statistics of the country's unemployment have been carelessly thrown around like plastic red cups on Spring Break in Miami. The Democrats say that Mr. Obama has brought down unemployment more than anticipated and that there is much more progress to come. The Republicans blast back saying that the numbers of so-called improvement are menial and that it's not enough to get the country going again. So who's right?

It's a trick question. They both are.

U.S. Unemployment from 1960-2013

When President Barack Obama took office in January 2009, the country was at an uneasy 7.8% unemployment, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. So out of every 100 Americans in the workforce, 8 of them did not have jobs. That's not a great way to start off a presidency, especially one where economic growth and job creation were such hot button issues. Unemployment showed no signs of going down as new policies to encourage job growth were made. When President Obama's Jobs Plan went into effect in June of that year, unemployment was at a scarily high 10%.

Given that and in all fairness, Mr. Obama inherited the effects of the country in two wars, the two branches of the "War on Terror", and on a steady economic decline due to outrageous debt. Currently, the unemployment rate sits at 7.7% as of February 2013, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since the President's policies have been enacted in 2009, the country has a net loss of 2.3% unemployment. This is good. Sort of.

A sad scary reality for many college grads

The other side of the table is that the United States still has 7.7% unemployment and is 19th on the list of strong economies worldwide. And it's not solving itself. Newly graduated college students are finding it harder than ever to get work, especially in their field of study. The Center for College Affordability and Productivity concluded in a recent study that just about half of the country's college graduates are working jobs that don't even require a degree, at times even a high school degree. Why?

The nation is downsizing. Employers are figuring out ways to get just as much done without hiring more people, allowing them to keep their overhead costs down. Less employees, less cost to the employer. So now the problem is no longer "I need a college degree to make money!" Now it's "Hot damn, I have no way to pay back these student loans!" This only worsens the economic climate and the downward spiral continues, affecting jobs, education and the overall attitude of the country's citizens when it comes to having faith they'll find a job, that good ol' Uncle Sam will in fact provide for them as promised.

So here we all sit as a country, in this ebb that no one really knows where it will go. (Like how I threw in that word you just learned from up top?) This is one instance out of the many where the two political parties, Democrats and Republicans, should be coming together to address this poisonous issue and work on a real plan to improve it. Until these two parties stop with the sandbox fights and step into a realm where it's not about their side winning but the United States as a country winning, I'm afraid we're going to see unemployment at uncomfortable levels and more graduates with business degrees greeting you at your favorite retail clothing store.

Into the Maelstrom

Maelstrom - 1. noun, a dangerous area of water that moves very fast in a circle : whirlpool
                     2. adj, a situation in which there are a lot of confused activities, emotions, etc.

Some of you might have known what a maelstrom was. But for those who don't, here it is spelled out for you. And for those that did know that it was some kind of storm on the water, now you know it can be used to describe a dire or chaotic situation, much like how the everyday events of our United States Political System might seem to you right now. 

When I first became aware of our political climate a few years ago and actually understood what was going on in our country because I took the time to learn and comprehend, two things popped into my mind. First was "Wait.... are you freakin' kidding me?" Some of the actions of our leaders and representatives, or lack thereof, drove my mind crazy. Why would they do this? And why is everyone just letting them?! I was quickly reminded why I stayed far from politics in high school and early college. 

But political thoughts swirled around in my head like a song you can't stop playing over and over. Why are some so against tax increases that would help us significantly to begin paying off our debt? When will there be real economic progress in employment, healthcare and the stock market? Why are the representative political bodies so recently stagnant in law-making and competence?

Then almost immediately after that series of thought, I asked "Who can I talk to about this?" Luckily enough, I had a few very political friends who were more than happy to indulge my new fascination. However, the ones who I really wanted to talk about these things with, my close peers and friends, really knew nothing about what was going on in the U.S. politically. They had either backed from it completely saying they didn't want to know or expressed some menial concern, would throw out the most recent political-ish event for context and moved along with the conversation. I wanted to change this.

I know politics can be intimidating with a lot of information and lingo you may not know and will sometimes be infuriating when those in power do not see or make the best choice for the country, but our power here comes in knowledge. Knowing, as they say, is half the battle. You can't act if you don't have the facts. And sometimes those facts can be hard to grasp or understand, much like when some humble yet copious writer randomly uses the word "maelstrom." But like that instance, I'm here to break it down and give you a detailed definition of all its tenses. Heck, I'll even use it in a sentence for you.

That is the aim of this blog; to take seemingly complex political events, thoughts and actions, look at them through various angles and aspects and to present it in a way that's easy to read and even easier to understand. Being political doesn't mean walking around high and mighty with a stick up your ass throwing out random facts about Roe v. Wade or the late Arab Spring. It's about sparking conversation, spreading legitimate and truthful information and, just perhaps, inciting change.

This is your country. Take an interest.