Tell Me Again About Our Great Recovery

Those who think the economy is taking off should take a look at the following graph from the Federal Reserve:



I think this graph tells us a lot more about the economy than "unemployment" figures. The problem with unemployment figures is the way they are calculated. If you keep looking for work and run out of unemployment benefits, by definition you no longer count as part of the work force. Therefore you are not unemployed.

The employment to population ratio shows how many are employed, an easier and more stable figure. Not much improvement lately.

It didn't have to be this way. We needed to focus on putting people back to work. We have a jobs problem, not a deficit problem.