We're having cold weather this wee.  It's 25 at 8:45 this morning.  I'll be inside all day.  I won at bridge yesterday as my partner and I bid and made a vulnerable small slam at one table.

Every now and then you receive an e-mail that is good.  I got one yesterday and it really hit home with me.  It establishes the fallacy of so many Federal Government explanations of certain statistics.  I'm partial to the one where a raise in money allotted is called a cut if the receiving department doesn't get what was first going to be budgeted for them even though they get more than the last year.  They still get more money than they did the previous year but not as much as originally scheduled so how is that a cut? Why doesn't Congress tell us the truth or just redo their budgeting process?  The following is really a good take on government double talk.  I don't know if it is truly an Abbott and Costello skit or not.  I looked for this on u tube but couldn't find it.  It sure sounds like one to me but...  I hope you enjoy it. 

Who ever made this  should get a pat on the back & a big thank you! Pass it On

Unemployment Explained

 

 
 
 
COSTELLO:
I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America.  
ABBOTT:
Good Subject.  Terrible Times. It's 7.8%.  
COSTELLO:
That many people are out of work?  
ABBOTT:
No, that's 14.7%.  
COSTELLO:
You just said 7.8%.  
ABBOTT:
7.8% Unemployed.  
COSTELLO:
Right 7.8% out of work.  
ABBOTT:
No, that's 14.7%.  
COSTELLO:
Okay, so it's 14.7% unemployed.  
ABBOTT:
No, that's 7.8%.  
COSTELLO:
WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 7.8% or 14.7%?  
ABBOTT:
7.8% are unemployed. 14.7% are out of work.  
COSTELLO:
If you are out of work you are unemployed.  
ABBOTT:
No, Congress said you can't count the "Out of Work" as the unemployed. 
You have to look for work to be unemployed. 

COSTELLO:
BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!  
ABBOTT:
No, you miss his point. 
 
COSTELLO:
What point?  
ABBOTT:
Someone who doesn't look for work can't be counted with those who look for
work.   It wouldn't be fair.  
COSTELLO:
To whom?  
ABBOTT:
The unemployed.  
COSTELLO:
But ALL of them are out of work.  
ABBOTT:
No, the unemployed are actively looking for work.  Those who are out of
work gave up looking and if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the
unemployed.  
COSTELLO:
So if you're off the unemployment rolls that would count as less
unemployment?  
ABBOTT:
Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!  
COSTELLO:
The unemployment just goes down because you don't look for
work?  
ABBOTT:
Absolutely it goes down. That's how they get it to 7.8%. Otherwise it would be
14.7%.  Our govt. doesn't want you to read about 14.7%
unemployment.  
COSTELLO:
That would be tough on those running for reelection.  
ABBOTT:
Absolutely!  
COSTELLO:
Wait, I got a question for you.  That means there are two ways to bring
down the unemployment number?  
ABBOTT:
Two ways is correct.  
COSTELLO:
Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?  
ABBOTT:
Correct.  
COSTELLO:
And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a
job?  
ABBOTT:
Bingo.  
COSTELLO:
So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is
to have people stop looking for work.  
ABBOTT:
Now you're thinking like an Economist.  
COSTELLO:
I don't even know what the hell I just said!  
ABBOTT:
Now you're thinking like Congress.