Sunday, February 12, 2012

Abbott and Costello on Unemployment

Have you ever heard something and it just didn't ring true?  You may want to be encouraging and positive, but something just doesn't feel right.  It's confusing when I watch the news and they talk about businesses laying people off or going out of business and yet, the unemployment rate is supposed to be going down. 

I loved Abbott and Costello.  I've spent many hours laughing at their approach to logical issues.  I don't know if this is a routine that they did in their career - but it's a great way to look at what "may" be happening within the ranks of Obama's team. 

It's a sad commentary but their style will leave you chuckling.


COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America.


ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible Times. It's 9%.

COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?

ABBOTT: No, that's about 20%.

COSTELLO: You just said 9%.

ABBOTT: 9% Unemployed.

COSTELLO: Right 9% out of work.

ABBOTT: No, that's about 20%.

COSTELLO: Okay, so it's 20% unemployed.

ABBOTT: No, that's 9%...

COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 9% or 20%?

ABBOTT: 9% are unemployed. 20% are out of work.

COSTELLO: IF you are out of work you are unemployed.

ABBOTT: No, you can't count the "Out of Work" as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed.

COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!

ABBOTT: No, you miss my point.

COSTELLO: What point?

ABBOTT: Someone who doesn't look for work, can't be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn't be fair.

COSTELLO: To who?

ABBOTT: The unemployed.

COSTELLO: But they are ALL out of work.

ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work.. Those who are out of work stopped looking. They gave up. And, if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.

COSTELLO: So if you're off the unemployment roles, that would count as less unemployment?

ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!

COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don't look for work?

ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That's how you get to 9%. Otherwise, it would be 20%. You don't want to read about 20% unemployment do ya?

COSTELLO: That would be frightening.

ABBOTT: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means they're two ways to bring down the unemployment number?

ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.

COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?

ABBOTT: Correct.

COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?

ABBOTT: Bingo.

COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to just stop looking for work.

ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like a democrat.

COSTELLO: I don't even know what I just said!

And now you know why Obama's unemployment figures are improving!



I think Washington structured taxes according to this Abbott and Costello clip!

 
God loves you,
 
Debbie

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