Looking at the numbers from 1948-present paints a different picture than looking at the numbers from 1978-present.

That sharp drop is when the baby boomers starting retiring. I don't see how that is Obama's fault.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

1948-1980....

1980-2015...


Very comparable.

_________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

that big jump is all the women entering the work force.

_________________
Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

I said 1948-present vs. 1978-present.

You obviously posted that chart to show horrible Barry is. That sharp drop is when the baby boomers starting retiring. How is that his fault?

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Rick if you're referencing the thread from a couple weeks ago, I wasn't trying to argue with you. I was truly positing the question what is a livable wage , who gets to decide that, and what should it cover. Again, what are needs in todays society? Should that include money to be able to afford a car? are cell phones now considered a need? If they raise that wage to 15/hr is it enough just to have people "get by" with nothing left over? Shouldn't those people also be entitled to go the movies, have a dinner out once in a while? This is coming down to old man Potter bitching about wanting a thrifty working class and George Bailey stating that the rabble and layabouts that Potter was bitching about do most of the living and dying and is it too much too ask they do it in a decent house ? I don't know what the right wage is for a minimum wage. Big corporations despite their number fudging can certainly afford to pay more for labor but will do everything they can not to. Long answer is that it should probably be more than it is .

_________________
Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

Thank you. That's all I wanted to know.

Just found it interesting is all.

To celebrate a day off for labor when we are in a period of such a large amount of working poor was just an interesting convergence.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

labor force participation only includes working age people. so retirees don't count.

_________________
Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

But, it explains why the number dropped. Those people aren't working anymore. We also have a lot of stupid, unskilled people, who can't replace those people.

And let's not forget the recession the last guy left us.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

That is law that needs to go buh bye.

_________________

I had assumed that "working age population" did not include 90 year olds, but I assumed wrong.

_________________
Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

here's a good analysis on why it is declining by what appears to be an unbiased author: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk ... rce-again/

_________________
Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

The annoying part is where people who can't spell economics start making proclamations with absolute certainty that any raise in wages will be offset by insane price hikes.

Economists all over the world debate this daily but Dave 12 pack knows for sure.

And the 25$ big mac argument completely ignores,supply and demand.

I take my economic cues from Joe Sixpack. More quotable usually.

_________________

I get mine from Joe the Plumber. That guy is smart.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

"I pity the man who wants a coat so cheap that the man or woman who produces the cloth will starve in the process."- Benjamin Harrison

_________________
Freedom is our Strength.