How Can There Be a Jobless Recovery??

Brian Rusche will be featured on AM950 Wednesdays at 5:20pm, check here for a preview of discussion topics and tune in!

While in DC this summer I spent some time at the FDR Memorial. A large portion of the space is devoted to this nation's efforts to put its people back to work and to honor the dignity of labor and the social justice imperative of a living wage. The spirit of that place is with me still as I watch news reports and campaign messages fumble with the issue of unemployment.

The malingering recession that continues to devastate families, punish the unemployed, and haunt the underemployed has yet to create a media crescendo and I'll be talking about that today on AM950 on JRLC's regular Wednesday afternoon segment, which airs at 5:20pm.

One of the reasons why the recession hasn't galvanized public opinion is the term "jobless recovery." This phrase has been tossed about as if a recession is essentially over if the Dow and housing prices would just stabilize. It gives the impression that employment is just lagging behind the other shaky, but positive indicators. The idea of a "jobless recovery" anesthetizes us from the reality that the only economic indicator that fuels recovery is employment! A jobless recovery is, of course, oxymoronic. Or, as Jim Hightower says, it's just moronic!

I'm looking for candidates for Governor and Congress to tell us voters what they see as a sensible, proven plan it to spur employment. The lines we see today at foodshelves and shelters are no different than what we saw during FDR's time.

(Photo Credit - Brian Rusche)

Brian Rusche
Executive Director