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Wednesday, Aug 11, 2010 8:20 PM UTC

Labor Department reports five unemployed workers per job opening

Why extend unemployment or pass more stimulus? Anyone who really wants a job has a 20 percent chance of getting one

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Topics: Unemployment, U.S. Economy, War Room,

Labor Department reports five unemployed workers per job opening

As the Wall Street Journal taught us on Monday, the reason why millions of people in this nation are jobless is because many of them just don’t feel like working. Employers across the nation are desperate for people to take 15 percent pay cuts and move to Dubai. But no one is applying! Have the unemployment benefits made them lazy? Yes, obviously. Because if they really wanted jobs, they could fight four other people to the death to get them.

According to new data from the Labor Department, the number of unemployed workers per job opening has plummeted — plummeted! — to almost five. That’s almost where we were in December of 2008!

There are also fewer job openings than there were a few months ago, which means that this dramatic drop-off is thanks to the brave men and women who have simply given up on finding work, making the numbers look much better for everyone else. Our labor force participation rate is the lowest it’s been since 1984, which, if I remember correctly, was Morning in America.

We’re back!

Alex Pareene

Alex Pareene writes about politics for Salon and is the author of "The Rude Guide to Mitt." Email him at apareene@salon.com and follow him on Twitter @pareene More Alex Pareene.

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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