South By North Strategies, Ltd.

A Downward Trend

The following graph from Calculated Risk shows that the labor force participation rate of American men between the ages of 25 and 54 — a key segment of the working-age population — has fallen to the lowest level on record.

Around The Dial – Dec. 6

Economic policy reports, blog postings, and media stories of interest:

• Free Exchange wraps up the fiscal commission’s failure.
• Paul Krugman points out the class bias to the social security debate.
• Off the Charts remembers that the Obama tax cuts soon will expire.
• Economix asks just who needs a tax cut.

South by North Strategies In The News

• The Charlotte Observer: “Unemployment falls, growth in jobs still weak”
• The News & Observer: “Triangle jobless rate stays at 8 percent”
• The Winston-Salem Journal: “Triad’s jobless rate drops slightly”
• Richmond County Daily Journal: “Jobless numbers drop for third month”

Joblessness And College Graduates

A recent segment on The PBS NewsHour reported on the bleak job prospects facing young college graduates. According to one study, nearly half of all young (under age 25) holders of baccalaureate degrees either are not working or working in jobs that do not require a college degree.

Around The Dial – Dec. 3

Economic policy reports, blog postings, and media stories of interest:

• The Charlotte Observer reports on the loss of unemployment benefits.
• The News & Record looks at federal help for jobless homeowners.
• The New York Times discusses the harm of long-term joblessness.
• Paul Krugman asks if the Obama administration has frozen out hope.