For greater accuracy in key government metrics, go to economist John Williams’s website, www.shadowstats.com and click on alternate data. There you will find unemployment, CPI, GDP, MONEY SUPPLY, US Dollar, calculated as it was done in 1980 or 1990, or 1994 for UE, compared to today. Yes, the middle and lower income classes are in terrible trouble at this point.
UE in the alternate Shadow Government Stats (SGS) 1994 based calc is today about 25%, compared to 4.8% per official U3 US Govt. It has been above 20% since about 2009. Highest point was 35% in 2020. This exceeds Great Depression levels of about 25%. This Alternate SGS calc includes long term discouraged workers who cannot find work, pulled out of the official calc in 1994. The Govt UE U6 metric includes short term and part time workers as unemployed and is about a 7% UE rate but we are never told this.
Inflation SGS Calculated as it was in 1990, is a bit below double the official CPI-U in 2023, at about 8% versus 4.8% official US Govt. If you used the 1980 method, inflation is about 12%. So, I ballpark by at least doubling CPI-U to get a more accurate number.
Why is this done? To avoid the massive increases in program benefits tied to inflation, like social security. The longer you are retired, or on disability, the further behind you fall because the payments you receive do not increase at the same pace as food, fuel, and everything else.
They are lying about the true unemployment data to make everyone believe we are not ALREADY IN a new Great Depression. One way to verify what is going on with employment is to compare it to the labor force participation rate, in the working age population age 16 and older. In Mar 2025, this was 62.5%. In April 2005, this was 66 Pct, a drop of 3.5 Pct. If you add 3.5 to 4.8% = 8.3%.
I think Trump’s programs to bring jobs back to America are great, however, we need faster solutions for those who are unhoused or cannot find work. Housing must come first, as you cannot work if you are contending with living in the open or in a tent, or even in a car. A massive housing program must include many options like tiny home communities, affordable senior apartments and more. This must apply to people earning the median income in an area or less.
And thank goodness we reserved billions of dollars for a Golden Dome that won’t be available for years even though Iran is capable right now of producing weapons grade uranium. Not to mention increasing the military budget to one trillion, continuing to send money and artillery to Eastern Europe and the Levant, including Egypt. Of course these things are more important than “we the people” being homeless, starving, unemployed, and hated by the world community.
I’m not against ridding the nation of invaders but prioritizing on behalf of the citizenry doesn’t appear to be the White House’s strong suit.
Do you know that one of the Middle East countries the executive visited made available a McDonald’s semi truck at the palace filled with McDonald’s wares for the executive’s massive junk food appetite? So much for MAHA. What a role model.
Lotsa of truth here. No, the citizens are not their priority. They're printing for everything else, as they inflate our cost of living to the sky, injuring us even further.
And I'm cynical. I bet the truck was full of REAL food, ie, real beef, potatoes, etc .... and not what McDonalds has turned into. 🤮
The unfortunate truth is that while you may be employed full time but full time work at McDonalds isn’t going to pay the bills This is what was considered an entry level job when I was a young adult Now days people don’t have the skills to get anything better This falls squarely on the shoulders of the people feeling trapped and the public education system
As a European, I am appalled by the conditions in the USA.
Rising unemployment, rising homelessness, rising drug use, rising crime. The political actors better rulers are only concerned with foreign policy, the problems in their own country and the US-Americans are for the sidelines. The decline of the USA as a world power cannot be stopped.
Something is very wrong here. American people who just want to live a modest middle class life should NOT have to work full time with a second part time job or work four part time jobs just to break even.
Not everyone who is jammed up economically has $500k in student loan debt, $80k in credit card debt, a mortgage and an $1100/month payment on a high end 4x4 luxury truck. Not everyone who is robbing Peter to pay Paul has six kids at home to support.
How to fix this mess is anybody's guess, but I am certain that salvation does NOT lie in installing Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the Oval Office and plunging what is left of America into full on socialism or confiscating money from "rich people" to redistribute it to "poor people."
In case you haven’t noticed, the USA has been downsizing the job market easily since the 70s beginning with dismantling our once envious manufacturing sector. Then proceeded to automate everything, for example, the banking industry. In the early 80s, the bank I used for savings and checking had 40 teller windows open on Fridays (payday) and about 30 tellers other days including drive thru. In a bank today, there might be 2 tellers and possibly 1 in drive thru. The change was the result of ATM machines 1st, then automatic deposit of paychecks 2nd, then online banking of which now you don’t even need loan officers in most banks because loans are made online. Do you have any idea how many jobs between manufacturing and banking alone displaced people?
And don’t get me started on the grocery stores! Now they have you bringing your own bags and checking yourself out.
With the onset of the Internet and computer networking a multitude of librarians and secretaries found themselves jobless. No need for typing pools anymore because the executive or lawyer you worked for in the 90s now had his or her own computer and everyone can now keyboard for themselves. I worked in law firms through the 80s and 90s and saw the secretaries fade and remaining secretaries were now working for 3 or 4 executives or lawyers because the executives or lawyers could keyboard most all their own documents. And having access to a firm’s database of documents, made creating new documents easier and faster because there were so many previously written templates at your fingertips. Therefore, secretaries became obsolete and displaced.
What I cited above barely scratches the surface of industries that underwent deliberate job eliminating efforts since the 70s, transitioning us into low-paying service jobs like Taco Bell, Home Depot, and Walmart. You may wish to turn a blind eye to this reality or think that it was an unintended consequence of “progress” but you would be sorely mistaken. Over the decades, I’ve listened to the words of the self-styled Trail Blazers, watched their actions carefully, and evaluated their results and it is the results that are the most telling. That should indicate what kind of monster got his foot in the door.
Today, we have a confused, poorly educated, unsophisticated, and hopeless generation of youth who would never be able to unravel this mess. It doesn’t matter if you believe me, not anymore anyway, but if you can’t see this for yourself then what’s the alternative? That we handed over the keys of the shining city on the hill to incompetent, self-serving grifters? Do you like that explanation better?
Life is a bitch, then you die. Nobody ever said it would be easy. If you want it easy, go live in a socialist country, where healthcare and a living wage are guaranteed-- until the money runs out. We are living in a world where the wealthiest are greedy and want more. The poor have nothing, so they go after the middle class for additional wealth. We are the victims, but much is our fault. We live in communities, but have no idea what is going on. Beyond the communities, we have even less knowledge about what's happening. We are lazy and apathetic. All we care about is a new car we don't need, designer clothes and shoes, the latest electronic gizmo (that is stealing all our personal info, so the "elites" know what we have to steal), and "toys" galore. Few people know how to live responsibly or have any common sense about anything. We are continually robbed, but say or do nothing in response. We don't save when we have something to save nor do we prepare for any emergencies. We have brought much suffering upon ourselves. It's a hard lesson to learn.
I know I'm sounding callous, or even cold hearted, however, I lived my whole life within my means. I never had any addictions, I never got divorced, and I work hard, and carry a mountain of stress with my job. I'm doing just fine. Most things are cause and effect.
Making generalized observations like these are not very instructive. There may be a 1,000 reasons why people are in the positions they find themselves in. It is not a one-size-fits-all conclusion.
The middle class has been collapsing for the last 50 years since the early 1970's. The consumer/worker is over marketed for everything under the sun. They have been indoctrinated to believe they are worthless unless they have the latest everything...and around and around it goes.
"The middle class has been collapsing all around us"
Not to worry! Our fearless leader the orange stain had the stockmarket back to record highs now that he has completely caved and reversed his "Big Beautiful Tariffs" proving he's just another puppet stooge of the Wall Street Big Monied Interests & Central Banks.
How any of the rigged market optics help the working poor facing hunger & homelessness matters little or nothing to him. Just keep those poll numbers going.
Oh please, cry me a river. There is plenty of work for those that want to work.
And how do you save money by swapping a shower inside with a garden hose shower 🚿 outside? What? The guy in the illustration could save even more money by staying clothed while showering and saving money on laundry soap.
Work is hard. Get off your a** and Work! Where there is a will, there is a way.
Whining and being a victim never earned anyone a penny. Frankly, I'm sick of it.
Oh, and let’s not forget that Gen Z is addicted to skipping work altogether—34% of Gen Z have accepted job offers but never show up for work.
I won't hold my breath, Mr 🐛 If they don't have the motivation to get their a**es off the couch and go to work, I doubt they’ll make it to my palace. Besides the moat, stocked with alligators 🐊 and crocodiles would devour them before they get to me.
Maybe the middle class and poor will be coming after Mike Rowe, too.
Frankly, it says more about the parents and authority figures responsible for this generation’s direction. Take a look at the libertine impulses and laissez-faire attitude of this forsaken country. Hence, Alistair Crowley: “Do what thou wilt is the whole of the law.” The country has fostered wayward behavior with its inducements from the public treasury (for some) rather than create an environment of true free markets as expressed by Adam Smith and accessible education. Are you going to blame that on the toddlers?
My husband worked 2, 3 and even 4 jobs for us to make ends meet in our younger days. Lots of people will only work 1 job now a days. We have to remember we have to help ourselves.
A shower does.not use much more water than a garden hose. And as far as wearing dirty stinky clothes then wash them daily before you get a disease. There are lots of ways to save more money and conserve, but not in ways that endanger your health and well.being. Take in a border, rent a room out.
Have you tried to live on $19,000 a year? Food alone is well over half that if you factor nutrition as a necessity as opposed to hot pockets and Cheerios.
John Williams has written his Shadow Economics blog for decades, stating that the BLS has underestimated inflation by 300 to 400%. The BLS also underestimates employment as this excellent article points out. Yet, the organized crime syndicate masquerading as the DEmocratic UniParty allowed 50 million illegals and their children to invade us, costing 5 trillion in economic damage each year. Trump can only throw a fraction of them out; only a small dent will be made. Americans will suffer as a result.
Be actively involved in a small faith community where mutual love, respect & care can occur. Recognize the spiritual wealth that is ours in Christ Jesus. Hold on to/grasp/seize that which is good and release anything that is not.
We live in a once affordable area where virtually all long-term rental homes have been converted to VRBO usage. Those that remain available (rare) are priced out of reach of most working class families. Homes selling for less than $400,000 are rare and are usually an older mobile home on property or a lot. Even a mobile home in a park is close to $250,000 (plus $700+ / month rent). The wealthy surround us. For now, the working class is needed, but only as long as "affordable housing" isn't anywhere near the mansions or McMansions being built at a steady rate, most with water views (we're on an island). A few young families have returned and begun organic farming, and a number of home-based businesses or remote workers are increasing. There is great resistance to expansion as evidenced by lack of housing available for any workers coming to the area (if you own a business and recruit someone to work here, you may have to provide a place for them to live as well). But this is in GOOD times....when things so further south, there will be exponentially higher unemployment and no jobs. Those with the ability to pay a mortgage now will fail. "The Great Taking" that will ensue that is already in the works across real estate, investments, securities of all kinds & pension funds (while the guberment eyes social security/medicare) casts a dark shadow over those who have and are still working to provide for themselves and have resisted food banks, welfare & handouts.
But we who belong to the LORD Jesus have an inheritance that does not fade away --- that is vouchsafed by the LORD Himself, and is imperishable, eternal, unchanging, just as His love and care for us does not diminish or become subject to the corruption that is in the world system that is decaying and is slowly (but accelerating) revealing the nefarious aspirations and machinations of those who rule as the fist closes and the grasp over "freedom" is tightened even further. Soon digital ID/money/access to everything will divide us further into "haves" who are complicit with the fallen system and those who resist but are outsiders and likely "enemies of the state."
For greater accuracy in key government metrics, go to economist John Williams’s website, www.shadowstats.com and click on alternate data. There you will find unemployment, CPI, GDP, MONEY SUPPLY, US Dollar, calculated as it was done in 1980 or 1990, or 1994 for UE, compared to today. Yes, the middle and lower income classes are in terrible trouble at this point.
UE in the alternate Shadow Government Stats (SGS) 1994 based calc is today about 25%, compared to 4.8% per official U3 US Govt. It has been above 20% since about 2009. Highest point was 35% in 2020. This exceeds Great Depression levels of about 25%. This Alternate SGS calc includes long term discouraged workers who cannot find work, pulled out of the official calc in 1994. The Govt UE U6 metric includes short term and part time workers as unemployed and is about a 7% UE rate but we are never told this.
Inflation SGS Calculated as it was in 1990, is a bit below double the official CPI-U in 2023, at about 8% versus 4.8% official US Govt. If you used the 1980 method, inflation is about 12%. So, I ballpark by at least doubling CPI-U to get a more accurate number.
Why is this done? To avoid the massive increases in program benefits tied to inflation, like social security. The longer you are retired, or on disability, the further behind you fall because the payments you receive do not increase at the same pace as food, fuel, and everything else.
They are lying about the true unemployment data to make everyone believe we are not ALREADY IN a new Great Depression. One way to verify what is going on with employment is to compare it to the labor force participation rate, in the working age population age 16 and older. In Mar 2025, this was 62.5%. In April 2005, this was 66 Pct, a drop of 3.5 Pct. If you add 3.5 to 4.8% = 8.3%.
I think Trump’s programs to bring jobs back to America are great, however, we need faster solutions for those who are unhoused or cannot find work. Housing must come first, as you cannot work if you are contending with living in the open or in a tent, or even in a car. A massive housing program must include many options like tiny home communities, affordable senior apartments and more. This must apply to people earning the median income in an area or less.
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (Rev 13:16)
Note that there is no middle class, only "rich and poor."
It's coming..
We were given only one way out:
NarrowWayTruth.com
Thank God, President Trump is sending the illegal aliens back to their own Country.
And thank goodness we reserved billions of dollars for a Golden Dome that won’t be available for years even though Iran is capable right now of producing weapons grade uranium. Not to mention increasing the military budget to one trillion, continuing to send money and artillery to Eastern Europe and the Levant, including Egypt. Of course these things are more important than “we the people” being homeless, starving, unemployed, and hated by the world community.
I’m not against ridding the nation of invaders but prioritizing on behalf of the citizenry doesn’t appear to be the White House’s strong suit.
Do you know that one of the Middle East countries the executive visited made available a McDonald’s semi truck at the palace filled with McDonald’s wares for the executive’s massive junk food appetite? So much for MAHA. What a role model.
Lotsa of truth here. No, the citizens are not their priority. They're printing for everything else, as they inflate our cost of living to the sky, injuring us even further.
And I'm cynical. I bet the truck was full of REAL food, ie, real beef, potatoes, etc .... and not what McDonalds has turned into. 🤮
The unfortunate truth is that while you may be employed full time but full time work at McDonalds isn’t going to pay the bills This is what was considered an entry level job when I was a young adult Now days people don’t have the skills to get anything better This falls squarely on the shoulders of the people feeling trapped and the public education system
In the end, the people will lie at the feet of the rulers and say:
"Make us your slaves, but feed us"
The slaves will love their servitude.
It's the plan. And we're getting there pretty fast. 😤😤
As a European, I am appalled by the conditions in the USA.
Rising unemployment, rising homelessness, rising drug use, rising crime. The political actors better rulers are only concerned with foreign policy, the problems in their own country and the US-Americans are for the sidelines. The decline of the USA as a world power cannot be stopped.
Plus, if you turn to Jesus, you can have hope. Truly. He will bless you.
Something is very wrong here. American people who just want to live a modest middle class life should NOT have to work full time with a second part time job or work four part time jobs just to break even.
Not everyone who is jammed up economically has $500k in student loan debt, $80k in credit card debt, a mortgage and an $1100/month payment on a high end 4x4 luxury truck. Not everyone who is robbing Peter to pay Paul has six kids at home to support.
How to fix this mess is anybody's guess, but I am certain that salvation does NOT lie in installing Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the Oval Office and plunging what is left of America into full on socialism or confiscating money from "rich people" to redistribute it to "poor people."
In case you haven’t noticed, the USA has been downsizing the job market easily since the 70s beginning with dismantling our once envious manufacturing sector. Then proceeded to automate everything, for example, the banking industry. In the early 80s, the bank I used for savings and checking had 40 teller windows open on Fridays (payday) and about 30 tellers other days including drive thru. In a bank today, there might be 2 tellers and possibly 1 in drive thru. The change was the result of ATM machines 1st, then automatic deposit of paychecks 2nd, then online banking of which now you don’t even need loan officers in most banks because loans are made online. Do you have any idea how many jobs between manufacturing and banking alone displaced people?
And don’t get me started on the grocery stores! Now they have you bringing your own bags and checking yourself out.
With the onset of the Internet and computer networking a multitude of librarians and secretaries found themselves jobless. No need for typing pools anymore because the executive or lawyer you worked for in the 90s now had his or her own computer and everyone can now keyboard for themselves. I worked in law firms through the 80s and 90s and saw the secretaries fade and remaining secretaries were now working for 3 or 4 executives or lawyers because the executives or lawyers could keyboard most all their own documents. And having access to a firm’s database of documents, made creating new documents easier and faster because there were so many previously written templates at your fingertips. Therefore, secretaries became obsolete and displaced.
What I cited above barely scratches the surface of industries that underwent deliberate job eliminating efforts since the 70s, transitioning us into low-paying service jobs like Taco Bell, Home Depot, and Walmart. You may wish to turn a blind eye to this reality or think that it was an unintended consequence of “progress” but you would be sorely mistaken. Over the decades, I’ve listened to the words of the self-styled Trail Blazers, watched their actions carefully, and evaluated their results and it is the results that are the most telling. That should indicate what kind of monster got his foot in the door.
Today, we have a confused, poorly educated, unsophisticated, and hopeless generation of youth who would never be able to unravel this mess. It doesn’t matter if you believe me, not anymore anyway, but if you can’t see this for yourself then what’s the alternative? That we handed over the keys of the shining city on the hill to incompetent, self-serving grifters? Do you like that explanation better?
Life is a bitch, then you die. Nobody ever said it would be easy. If you want it easy, go live in a socialist country, where healthcare and a living wage are guaranteed-- until the money runs out. We are living in a world where the wealthiest are greedy and want more. The poor have nothing, so they go after the middle class for additional wealth. We are the victims, but much is our fault. We live in communities, but have no idea what is going on. Beyond the communities, we have even less knowledge about what's happening. We are lazy and apathetic. All we care about is a new car we don't need, designer clothes and shoes, the latest electronic gizmo (that is stealing all our personal info, so the "elites" know what we have to steal), and "toys" galore. Few people know how to live responsibly or have any common sense about anything. We are continually robbed, but say or do nothing in response. We don't save when we have something to save nor do we prepare for any emergencies. We have brought much suffering upon ourselves. It's a hard lesson to learn.
I know I'm sounding callous, or even cold hearted, however, I lived my whole life within my means. I never had any addictions, I never got divorced, and I work hard, and carry a mountain of stress with my job. I'm doing just fine. Most things are cause and effect.
Making generalized observations like these are not very instructive. There may be a 1,000 reasons why people are in the positions they find themselves in. It is not a one-size-fits-all conclusion.
The middle class has been collapsing for the last 50 years since the early 1970's. The consumer/worker is over marketed for everything under the sun. They have been indoctrinated to believe they are worthless unless they have the latest everything...and around and around it goes.
"The middle class has been collapsing all around us"
Not to worry! Our fearless leader the orange stain had the stockmarket back to record highs now that he has completely caved and reversed his "Big Beautiful Tariffs" proving he's just another puppet stooge of the Wall Street Big Monied Interests & Central Banks.
How any of the rigged market optics help the working poor facing hunger & homelessness matters little or nothing to him. Just keep those poll numbers going.
Oh please, cry me a river. There is plenty of work for those that want to work.
And how do you save money by swapping a shower inside with a garden hose shower 🚿 outside? What? The guy in the illustration could save even more money by staying clothed while showering and saving money on laundry soap.
Work is hard. Get off your a** and Work! Where there is a will, there is a way.
Whining and being a victim never earned anyone a penny. Frankly, I'm sick of it.
Oh, and let’s not forget that Gen Z is addicted to skipping work altogether—34% of Gen Z have accepted job offers but never show up for work.
As she stated from behind the iron fencing of her gated community while the humble plebeians trim her hedge with a scissor.
Ah yes, the classic “I have no argument, so here’s a clumsy attempt at class warfare” response. Cute imagery though.
“Cute” says it all. It isn’t “class warfare” but it is true that the poor always are the first to realize that they’ll be coming next for you, Teri.
I won't hold my breath, Mr 🐛 If they don't have the motivation to get their a**es off the couch and go to work, I doubt they’ll make it to my palace. Besides the moat, stocked with alligators 🐊 and crocodiles would devour them before they get to me.
Maybe the middle class and poor will be coming after Mike Rowe, too.
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/mike-rowe-says-work-ethic-declining-because-young-generation-snowflakes-dont-face
Frankly, it says more about the parents and authority figures responsible for this generation’s direction. Take a look at the libertine impulses and laissez-faire attitude of this forsaken country. Hence, Alistair Crowley: “Do what thou wilt is the whole of the law.” The country has fostered wayward behavior with its inducements from the public treasury (for some) rather than create an environment of true free markets as expressed by Adam Smith and accessible education. Are you going to blame that on the toddlers?
I blame the prince of the power of the air—the coming world leader.
My husband worked 2, 3 and even 4 jobs for us to make ends meet in our younger days. Lots of people will only work 1 job now a days. We have to remember we have to help ourselves.
A shower does.not use much more water than a garden hose. And as far as wearing dirty stinky clothes then wash them daily before you get a disease. There are lots of ways to save more money and conserve, but not in ways that endanger your health and well.being. Take in a border, rent a room out.
Have you tried to live on $19,000 a year? Food alone is well over half that if you factor nutrition as a necessity as opposed to hot pockets and Cheerios.
Yes I have. And I worked another job also.
John Williams has written his Shadow Economics blog for decades, stating that the BLS has underestimated inflation by 300 to 400%. The BLS also underestimates employment as this excellent article points out. Yet, the organized crime syndicate masquerading as the DEmocratic UniParty allowed 50 million illegals and their children to invade us, costing 5 trillion in economic damage each year. Trump can only throw a fraction of them out; only a small dent will be made. Americans will suffer as a result.
Be actively involved in a small faith community where mutual love, respect & care can occur. Recognize the spiritual wealth that is ours in Christ Jesus. Hold on to/grasp/seize that which is good and release anything that is not.
We live in a once affordable area where virtually all long-term rental homes have been converted to VRBO usage. Those that remain available (rare) are priced out of reach of most working class families. Homes selling for less than $400,000 are rare and are usually an older mobile home on property or a lot. Even a mobile home in a park is close to $250,000 (plus $700+ / month rent). The wealthy surround us. For now, the working class is needed, but only as long as "affordable housing" isn't anywhere near the mansions or McMansions being built at a steady rate, most with water views (we're on an island). A few young families have returned and begun organic farming, and a number of home-based businesses or remote workers are increasing. There is great resistance to expansion as evidenced by lack of housing available for any workers coming to the area (if you own a business and recruit someone to work here, you may have to provide a place for them to live as well). But this is in GOOD times....when things so further south, there will be exponentially higher unemployment and no jobs. Those with the ability to pay a mortgage now will fail. "The Great Taking" that will ensue that is already in the works across real estate, investments, securities of all kinds & pension funds (while the guberment eyes social security/medicare) casts a dark shadow over those who have and are still working to provide for themselves and have resisted food banks, welfare & handouts.
But we who belong to the LORD Jesus have an inheritance that does not fade away --- that is vouchsafed by the LORD Himself, and is imperishable, eternal, unchanging, just as His love and care for us does not diminish or become subject to the corruption that is in the world system that is decaying and is slowly (but accelerating) revealing the nefarious aspirations and machinations of those who rule as the fist closes and the grasp over "freedom" is tightened even further. Soon digital ID/money/access to everything will divide us further into "haves" who are complicit with the fallen system and those who resist but are outsiders and likely "enemies of the state."
There are many jobs available except a lot of lazy people feel manual labor is beneath them.