Economic Reality

[Conan71]

OUCH!

"Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (8.9 percent),
adult women (8.0 percent), teenagers (24.2 percent), whites (8.0 percent), blacks
(16.2 percent), and Hispanics (11.9 percent) showed little or no change in May. The
jobless rate for Asians was 7.0 percent, not seasonally adjusted. (See tables A-1,
A-2, and A-3.)

In May, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over)
increased by 361,000 to 6.2 million; their share of unemployment increased to 45.1
percent. (See table A-12.)"

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

I was watching CBS news earlier this evening, I cannot recall the city, but black unemployment is over 30%.  At some point one has to think black Americans, who were very convinced their lives would improve under President Obama, are beginning to realize he's not one of them.  I mean sure, same skin color and he purports to know their culture, but let's look at his life.  He was raised in a white family going to private schools and the best universities.  What does he really understand about the economic realities of poor black family?  How much does he really have in common with a 50 year old under-skilled black male laborer who cannot find a job or a laid off union machinist for that matter?

[guido911]

I was watching CBS news earlier this evening, I cannot recall the city, but black unemployment is over 30%.  At some point one has to think black Americans, who were very convinced their lives would improve under President Obama, are beginning to realize he's not one of them.  I mean sure, same skin color and he purports to know their culture, but let's look at his life.  He was raised in a white family going to private schools and the best universities.  What does he really understand about the economic realities of poor black family?  How much does he really have in common with a 50 year old under-skilled black male laborer who cannot find a job or a laid off union machinist for that matter?

Am I going to have to bust out the R word here? I mean, the fact that blacks will vote for someone based solely on skin color. Oh wait, now I'm being racist. Guido:



This racism stuff can be so confusing sometimes. Seriously, though (for Townsend's sake), those stats are quite astonishing.

[RecycleMichael]

What does he really understand about the economic realities of poor black family?  

Probably as much or more than any of the 43 Presidents before him.

If that is a duty of the job, every President in history fails.

[nathanm]

I was watching CBS news earlier this evening, I cannot recall the city, but black unemployment is over 30%.  At some point one has to think black Americans, who were very convinced their lives would improve under President Obama, are beginning to realize he's not one of them.  I mean sure, same skin color and he purports to know their culture, but let's look at his life.  He was raised in a white family going to private schools and the best universities.  What does he really understand about the economic realities of poor black family?  How much does he really have in common with a 50 year old under-skilled black male laborer who cannot find a job or a laid off union machinist for that matter?

Yeah, the employment situation for black people sucks even more than that of white people. Why? Because black people are disproportionately likely to be poor and less educated, both of which have a strong correlation with unemployment. Also, the age demos are quite different for black people relative to white people, which again works against them as a group (Median age is about 7 years less than white people).

Basically, a given black person is more likely to be poor, uneducated, and young. Since unemployment is highest among people falling into those categories, it would be..suspicious..if the unemployment rate among black people weren't significantly higher than that of white people.

[Townsend]

This racism stuff can be so confusing sometimes. Seriously, though (for Townsend's sake), those stats are quite astonishing.

Aw, you just keep trying.  Not much of an attempt though.  Let's see how you do on the next one.

[Teatownclown]

Congrats and kudos to Guido for calling Conan a spade!

Conan, I read between your lines and they say "POTUS OBAMA FAIL" (but the country knows the republicans placed us here).

[Gaspar]

Congrats and kudos to Guido for calling Conan a spade!

Conan, I read between your lines and they say "POTUS OBAMA FAIL" (but the country knows the republicans placed us here).

So let me see if I understand. . .it was the Republican's fault that President Obama was elected.

I can agree with that.

[dbacks fan]

OUCH!

"Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (8.9 percent),
adult women (8.0 percent), teenagers (24.2 percent), whites (8.0 percent), blacks
(16.2 percent), and Hispanics (11.9 percent) showed little or no change in May. The
jobless rate for Asians was 7.0 percent, not seasonally adjusted. (See tables A-1,
A-2, and A-3.)

In May, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over)
increased by 361,000 to 6.2 million; their share of unemployment increased to 45.1
percent. (See table A-12.)"

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

I was watching CBS news earlier this evening, I cannot recall the city, but black unemployment is over 30%.  At some point one has to think black Americans, who were very convinced their lives would improve under President Obama, are beginning to realize he's not one of them.  I mean sure, same skin color and he purports to know their culture, but let's look at his life.  He was raised in a white family going to private schools and the best universities.  What does he really understand about the economic realities of poor black family?  How much does he really have in common with a 50 year old under-skilled black male laborer who cannot find a job or a laid off union machinist for that matter?

It was Milwaukee WI. Most of them had lost good paying jobs in the mfg sector, where the norm used to be you could graduate highschool and go to work  making good money.

Smith is part of a staggering problem. The city of Milwaukee lost 56,000 jobs in the recession, many in manufacturing, which used to provide entry-level employment.


Just 40 years ago, 8 out of 10 black men were employed. Most found jobs in manufacturing, where a kid coming out of high school used to be able to earn a decent wage and support a family, but not anymore.


Now, Milwaukee has begun a new program which matches high school drop-outs, low-skilled workers, even some ex-felons, with businesses willing to train them. For six months, men like Darius Smith are paid to learn carpentry or electrical installation skills.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/20/eveningnews/main20072738.shtml?tag=mncol;lst;2

[Conan71]

Probably as much or more than any of the 43 Presidents before him.

If that is a duty of the job, every President in history fails.

And that's been an issue within black communities prior to Candidate Obama.  He was their Messiah.  He was going to make sure they all had jobs, they wouldn't have to worry about how they were going to buy gas or make their house payment (roll tape Guido), or health care.  He was going to take care of his people cradle-to-the grave.

I think they are slowly figuring out he's got far more in common with the white oligarchy in the country than he does with the average black person.

I'd go so far as to say Presidents Clinton and Carter knew far more what it was to come from a disadvantaged or humble home than President Obama.

[Teatownclown]

  He was their Messiah.  He was going to make sure they all had jobs, they wouldn't have to worry about how they were going to buy gas or make their house payment (roll tape Guido), or health care.  He was going to take care of his people cradle-to-the grave.

Man, you like deep holes.....

[Gaspar]

And that's been an issue within black communities prior to Candidate Obama.  He was their Messiah.  He was going to make sure they all had jobs, they wouldn't have to worry about how they were going to buy gas or make their house payment (roll tape Guido), or health care.  He was going to take care of his people cradle-to-the grave.

I think they are slowly figuring out he's got far more in common with the white oligarchy in the country than he does with the average black person.

I'd go so far as to say Presidents Clinton and Carter knew far more what it was to come from a disadvantaged or humble home than President Obama.

According to NPR, "He's not their boyfriend anymore"

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/17/137238072/liberal-bloggers-obama-not-our-boyfriend-anymore?ft=1&f=1001

My favorite part of that:

"I honest to God thought I was voting for these guys and that it was going to be the first time in my lifetime that I'm finally in a position of power, where I could be working with the White House on a regular basis, saying, 'OK what could we do this year on gay stuff?' Wouldn't it be cool, oh, 'Don't ask, don't tell,' this is great.' "

[Conan71]

Man, you like deep holes.....

Really?  Tell me which part I missed on that.  Do you disagree President Obama has far more in common with white Elitists than working class blacks?

He's certainly associated far more with the white elitists his entire life.

[Cats Cats Cats]

And that's been an issue within black communities prior to Candidate Obama.  He was their Messiah.  He was going to make sure they all had jobs, they wouldn't have to worry about how they were going to buy gas or make their house payment (roll tape Guido), or health care.  He was going to take care of his people cradle-to-the grave.

I think they are slowly figuring out he's got far more in common with the white oligarchy in the country than he does with the average black person.

I'd go so far as to say Presidents Clinton and Carter knew far more what it was to come from a disadvantaged or humble home than President Obama.

"they all had jobs, they wouldn't have to worry about how they were going to buy gas or make their house payment "

Way to stereotype an entire race based on a youtube video of one or two people.  

[Conan71]

"they all had jobs, they wouldn't have to worry about how they were going to buy gas or make their house payment "

Way to stereotype an entire race based on a youtube video of one or two people.  

No, that was the message of "hope" and "change".  The message he took to those neighborhoods was one that he was going to make sure their needs and issues were taken care of and addressed.  How's that worked out so far? 

[we vs us]

This part is the hole:

"And that's been an issue within black communities prior to Candidate Obama.  He was their Messiah.  He was going to make sure they all had jobs, they wouldn't have to worry about how they were going to buy gas or make their house payment (roll tape Guido), or health care.  He was going to take care of his people cradle-to-the grave."

That's a little heavy handed, don't you think?  Name anyone besides that one Youtube street chick #1 who was expecting anything resembling a free ride.  Did Al Sharpton say anything in that vein? Or Jesse Jackson? How about Jim Clyburn, or Harold Ford or Jesse Jackson Jr.?  Anyone on the Congressional Black Caucus, or in the Rainbow Coalition, or the NAACP, or any other prominent politically active orgs?  Anyone say anything remotely like that besides random street chick #1? How about even Maxine Waters?  She's TOTALLY whacked, and yet she hasn't said anything about free housing and free healthcare and free food and free free free.

If you look at the African American power structure, they have all been cautiously optimistic about Obama's presidency -- hell, his candidacy! -- from day one. There's never been a sense that anything will get easier.  Maybe rightwing radio is saying stuff like this but if you actually listen to African American leaders speak, you'll hear that hesitancy.

Like I said before, the left IS pissed at Obama -- and the NPR article is legit -- because he's left a lot of things on the table and compromised when he didn't have to.  He gave away a lot and got nothing in return, which hasn't endeared him to his base.  On the other hand -- and I say this as a disgruntled Dem -- there's nowhere else to go.  There's no way anyone on the GOP side is going to offer anything close to adult supervision. And honestly, even if a moderate like Huntsman or Romney gets elected, they'll be so beholden to the whackadoos that even if they have moderate impulses, they'll be pushed farther right every time.

So I -- much like the gayfolk, the African Americans, the Hispanics, the environmentalists, the anti-capitalists, the euro-socialists, the anti-torture, anti-security state, anti-surveillance, anti-war, anti-banking, anti plutocratic-order activists -- will vote enthusiastically for someone I'm lukewarm about because to vote the alternative is madness.