Central Library
Long-Time Unemployed Go Invisible, Skewing Numbers
RECEIVED Mon., Nov. 24, 2003
As usual, I enjoyed (most of) this week's Chronicle reporting, and I thank you and your staff for offering the city of Austin a stark contrast to the daily newspaper.
I felt compelled today to add one comment to an article by Michael King, "Riding Out the Bush Boom" ["Capitol Chronicle," Nov. 21], especially in regards to the self-congratulations of the elites in Washington and Austin over the recent "economic upturn" in the statistical numbers game.
We must remember that as people's unemployment benefits expire, they no longer exist in the unemployment statistics – whether they've found a job or not. Recently graduated students and folks returning to the work force after an absence are also not included. When reading these numbers bandied about by pundits and statisticians, you might want to consider all the people who are not included, since they are not entitled to, or receive, any benefits at all. This includes those people ineligible for welfare, food stamps, or Medicaid – no matter what our IRS returns show at the end of the year, our numbers are not counted in any poverty statistics, anywhere, because we do not receive government assistance.
We are "the invisible" – those who don't show up in any government economic report, but whose families live well below the poverty line, with no access to any assistance whatsoever – except the kindness of families and friends.
When seeing these numbers in the media, try to remember to add at least half as many people to the number that is cited – or more.
Thanks again, for all you do.
I felt compelled today to add one comment to an article by Michael King, "Riding Out the Bush Boom" ["Capitol Chronicle," Nov. 21], especially in regards to the self-congratulations of the elites in Washington and Austin over the recent "economic upturn" in the statistical numbers game.
We must remember that as people's unemployment benefits expire, they no longer exist in the unemployment statistics – whether they've found a job or not. Recently graduated students and folks returning to the work force after an absence are also not included. When reading these numbers bandied about by pundits and statisticians, you might want to consider all the people who are not included, since they are not entitled to, or receive, any benefits at all. This includes those people ineligible for welfare, food stamps, or Medicaid – no matter what our IRS returns show at the end of the year, our numbers are not counted in any poverty statistics, anywhere, because we do not receive government assistance.
We are "the invisible" – those who don't show up in any government economic report, but whose families live well below the poverty line, with no access to any assistance whatsoever – except the kindness of families and friends.
When seeing these numbers in the media, try to remember to add at least half as many people to the number that is cited – or more.
Thanks again, for all you do.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Whittaker
Jennifer Whittaker
