Unemployment rate could drop by election-time next year.

What are your thoughts on this?

Me, hoping BIG TIME it happens before, but will be happy if it does happen at all.

My thoughts are statistics can be manipulated to suit those in power getting re-elected.

If they stop counting those who have quit looking for work and whose unemployment has expired, or those who lost their jobs and can't qualify for unemployment, the numbers would probably be staggering.

My brother-in-law was a contractor in Oregon. He and everybody who used to work for him have been out of work for about 3 years, picking up odd jobs here and there. He never qualified for unemployment in the first place. My sister lost her job and she was self-employed (she lost her one and only large client) and she never qualified for unemployment either.

Hi HealthyMom62:

I so AGREE with you regarding those famous numbers!!!!

It is like, has anyone actually gone out and SEEN what is really going on out there?

Part of me says that they are paying some "overpriced" computer wiz kid to come up with those figures while sitting in front of an "overpriced" piece of equipment(lol).

The unemployment benefits rules still irk me although I finished up my 2 years (2008-2010) - was my 3rd time being on them.

Bottom line, they ship out help to folks in other countries but continue to IGNORE the "increasing" families (kids in tow) that are ending up in the streets after paying their mortgages/rent for years. I cannot get mad with the landlord or bank as they have to pay their bills.

Whom am I angry with?

Myself for starters as like some other folks, before getting laid off for the 3rd time in 2008 in my 50's - I was very "comfortable" and did not care about what was going on outside my office walls.

LOL, God has certainly taught me to "pay attention" and create "multiple" income sources.

Glad to share today - yesterday, got more freelance work, another book to review and 2 online ones to do. Now to figure out how to get all this done on time - but hey, not complaining.

Feels SO GOOD to return to being active and feeling fulfilled. Things that money cannot buy... It is all about my PASSION for life and the things that I have been doing for FREE - now paying off with being paid. Yes folks, offering to help folks for FREE does come back your way. And yesterday showed me this!!!!

Talk soon...

November revealed more state unemployment figures decreasing than in any single month for the last 8 years. Forty-three states reported a decrease and that includes Michigan. This may be a sign of growth if it has the met the same rate of jobless percentage. We should avoid the mistakes of the past and we need to focus on getting unemployed back to work.

Hi Marissa:

WELCOME to our Bella Family, I see you joined 12/26/11.

Do you have any suggestions to help get the unemployed back to work?

Me, working on some ideas and doing a lot of local research in my area (Columbus, Georgia) to see what solutions are there. So many times we sit around and not do anything in our own "small" ways - everyone can help.

Thanks SO MUCH for sharing with us!

As of now, if I'm not mistaken, unemployment rate drop on its highest percent last year. But for individuals younger than 35 who are jobless and nothing to be paid on buying their houses, nothing changed with them this year. They hit hardly by our economy and some would assume as a solution to ask for help with their parents. In short, the grownup kids of baby boomers are, typically, using parental support longer into life. For one out of every five baby boomers, this has meant helping their adult kids purchase their first home.

Personally, I don't put much faith in those numbers because people stop looking for jobs out of frustration so they no longer get counted. It also doesn't help people get jobs nor is it an indicator of whether or not someone will be successful.

I have watched a friend sit on a couch not looking for a job because of the unemployment figures, really? How is that preventing you from networking and looking for a job? People give up, I get that - but I disagree with any excuse for not looking and sitting on the couch all day.

My suggestion was to get up and volunteer - plenty of organizations need help, you need to keep up on job skills AND volunteers sometimes have the upper hand when paid positions open up.

Stop looking at the numbers and start looking at what you can do. Realistically, the next president, no matter who it is, will not magically create jobs overnight. So personally I don't care if the numbers go up or down in November, what I do care is trying to help people in need.

I agree, volunteer, find something productive to do, expand on your skill set etc. Learn something new that could help you get the next job or get certified in something you do know.

Yep, volunteering can help you get your foot into someone's door. It also is a "win-win" set up for both the company and the job hunter. Why? Both can see if it is a "fit"... So many times we interview for a job only to find out it is not for us. Either because of the culture or other issues.

Welcome back Angela, good to see you in the forums again. Hope all is going well.

Excellent points all!