Unemployment Still Trending Upward

Dean Baker makes a catch that nearly every mainstream outlet declines to report: jobless claims are up more than 31,000 from last week. In other news, the Federal Reserve, whose stated job it is to keep unemployment “low” (usually defined as 4.0%) is failing miserably at its job. What’s worse, it seems to consider employment a secondary concern, particularly if this Times article is any indication.

I hasten to remind my readers that by law, the Fed is required to do all it can to keep unemployment as near to 4% or below. Its unseemly focus on “bank stability” and “inflation” are illegal. Maybe someone should inform Mr. Bernanke.

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