Letter: 3.1 million jobs lost under Bush

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004 | 8:40 a.m.

Today in "Bushspeak" we are being told we are in a "jobless recovery." As the holder of an advanced degree in economics, there is no such a thing as a jobless recovery.

At this writing, there are 8.7 million people in a work force of 146.7 million who are officially out of work.

These figures, of course, belie the fact that there are an estimated 3.1 million others who have lost their unemployment benefits. Of these 3.1 million people, some are forced to work only part time, which corporations like because part-time employes do not recieve benefits.

Bushspeak aside, there are 11.8 million people either out of work or severely underemployed. In truth, the unemployment rate really is 8 percent.

During President Clinton's two terms, 22 million jobs were created. In three short years under Bushonomics, we have lost 3.1 million jobs. This is a record not seen since Republican President Herbert Hoover's term in office.

JAMES J. POUPARD

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