Measuring unemployment is an art that can result in widely
varied rates. Not surprisingly, the U.S. Government uses a method that
excludes millions of Americans seeking employment. This lower rate is used to
prove that America’s
economic system is superior to those in Europe.
Their higher unemployment rates are blamed on unions and socialism, which
guarantee workers health care and paid vacations. The implication is that while
many American workers lack such benefits, at least they have jobs. This
argument is faulty since unemployment is measured differently.
In the USA,
35% of healthy Americans ages 16-64 are unemployed, but what does that word
mean? Millions of women are unemployed as they choose to stay home to raise
families. Nevertheless, 25% of healthy American men ages 16-64 are unemployed,
yet the U.S.
Government reports an unemployment rate of just 8.1%.[1]