Quote:
Originally Posted by parsonsj
Here's the problem with disputing the figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The same people tell us about the deficit. Here we are discussing the overall Federal budget deficit ($14T or so today), and how do we know that number? Because the Federal government publishes it. We all believe that number. So why don't we believe the inflation numbers published by the Federal government? Why don't we believe the unemployment numbers published by the Federal government? I find this strange, and it's really inhibiting a good discussion.
|
because it's easy to see things that make us believe the government numbers are heavily massaged. With the deficit, we can't really see that, have to take their word for it. With unemployment, we know they don't count so many people for so many reasons that the stated number is BS. U6 unemployment is somewhat accurate at least, but they don't talk about that one because it looks really bad. The government likes to quote the much more optimistic figure that doesn't count people who lose their benefits or have given up trying (even though they are all unemployed), that doesn't count underemployed, etc. As far as inflation, I think they should include food, etc. in those figures, because they are a required part of life, and there is no doubt that section is going up WAY more than the governments quoted figures.