‘9 percent’ unemployed is very misleading

We keep hearing that the unemployment rate number is a little over 9 percent. This is based on a method of data collection that the Obama administration did not invent, but is only too happy to keep using, because it understates the problem significantly.

First, if one has become so discouraged that he or she has given up looking, that person is not included in the

9 percent. Then there are those who would love to work a full 40-hour week, but all they can find is part time. An honest method would count two part timers to actually be one job. Then, consider seriously underemployed, such as an experienced engineer working at Walmart. They should not be counted as having a full-time job.

An honest method would show the true unemployment number to be around 17 percent. Let's hear it for honesty.

Gary Sargent

Cedar Rapids