[hull3551]

I know many people that are underemployed; I would probably be counted as underemployed also, but I really don’t care anymore and really don’t want to work. I was on a pretty linear income growth of ~15% per year in the 90’s. 2001-2003 saw a reduction of salary of ~50%. Many of my contemporaries dropped out of the job market, became ‘consultants’, or too sever pay cuts. Those that were lucky enough to land jobs were worked like dogs in fear of getting passed over for promotion or getting laid off (FIFO).

I gave up the search for the six-figure job and becoming a slave to the machine. And I’m a lot happier not expecting a hefty salary. I feel bad for the people that lost a decent job in the textile mill or the factory that have nothing to fall back upon. I’ve personally come to realize that with a decent education and a strong work history I can slack rather effectively. But not everyone can do that.

But back to the unemployment figures (and all government issued figures for that mater), I think they are distorted.