Making a Dent in the Unemployment Disaster

With news this month that almost 40 percent of Americans belive unemployment is the biggest issue facing the country—a figure that leapt from 29 percent between August and September 2011—it’s clear that folks are beginning to believe that joblessness more than “the economy” as a whole is the nation’s most important problem as well as a primary concern for them as part of a larger pool of citizens just struggling to get by in post-recessionary America. These Gallup polling numbers explain why the Obama Administration’s recent announcement, and submission to Congress, of the American Jobs Act—combining stimulus and tax cuts to spur job growth—is more important than ever to a nation struggling to find a solution to its rampant unemployment and underemployment problems. But a troubling new report from the Associated Press shows that even if Congress takes President Obama's advice to "pass this bill right away" and enacts his jobs and tax plan in its entirety, the unemployment rate would probably still remain high for at least three more years. Why? As the AP puts it, “Because the 1.9 million new jobs the White House says the bill would produce in 2012 falls short of what it's needed to put the economy back on track to return to pre-recession jobless levels of under 6 percent, from today's rate of 9.1 percent. That's how deep the jobs hole is. The persistent weakness of the U.S. economy has left 14 million people unemployed and more than 25 million unable to find full-time work.” In fact, economists and financial experts on all sides of a very partisan job stimulus spectrum seem to agree that no matter how Congress falls on this issue, real job growth is a distant goal. Nevertheless, the President estimates his American Jobs Act would lower unemployment by a single percentage point by next year, to just over 8 percent. This uptick in job creation to the projected tune of nearly two million jobs, and marking the one percent drop in unemployment rates, would likely come at a cost of $447 billion with permanent income tax increases of about $150 billion a year, mostly on wealthy individuals and corporations, in addition to spending cuts. To be sure, the package comes at a stagnant point in the U.S. job market. According to the AP, “Job creation has ground to a virtual standstill. The economy produced a scant 20,000 net new jobs in June, 85,000 in July and none in August. Economic output, as measured by the GDP, has been growing this year at an anemic annual rate below 1 percent. The global economy is showing no signs of strengthening. A divided Federal Reserve is nearly out of ammunition for additional stimulus. And the U.S. is once again facing the possibility of a government shutdown at the end of next week.” Numbers of people applying for unemployment benefits have increased in recent weeks—from California to the Carolinas—accounting for its highest level in three months, a notable sign that layoffs could be increasing even as the economy continues its slow rebound. So what can you do if you count yourself among the many who, for a decade now, as the President put it, are “working harder, making less, with higher expenses?” Well, there’s a financial future outside of federal stimulus through the safe havens of bankruptcy. A personal bankruptcy can provide the very solution to your unemployment and underemployment problems, including a Chapter 7 option which can all but negate unsecured debt like credit cards or medial bills. And even if you’re worried about hanging onto precious assets while living on unemployment benefits, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy can also help, lowering your monthly car payment or mounting mortgage costs. The Law Offices of John T. Orcutt offer a totally FREE debt consultation and there’s no time like the present to take them up on their offer. Just call toll free to +1-833-627-0115, or during the off hours, you can make your own appointment right online at www.billsbills.com. Simply click on the yellow “FREE Consultation Now” button.