We’re told that a big factor in the unbelievable improvement in last month’s unemployment rate is the results obtained in a spot survey of households that revealed dramatic increases in part-time and work-from-home jobs. So I’m visualizing how this survey may have gone:<\/p>\n
Ring … ring … ring
\nGuy: Hello.
\nBLS: Hello, this is the Bureau of Labor Statistics and we are doing an unemployment survey.
\nGuy: I’m unemployed.
\nBLS: Not so fast. I have some questions to ask.
\nGuy: OK.
\nBLS: Did you do any work at all this past month?
\nGuy: Nope.
\nBLS: Uh, let me get more specific. Did you, for example, have any babysitting jobs?
\nGuy: Nope.
\nBLS: Did you mow the lawn of a neighbor or a friend?
\nGuy: Nope.
\nBLS: Did you go to any fitness classes?
\nGuy: Nope. We’re living on food stamps – can’t afford fitness classes.
\nBLS: Well, did you jog?
\nGuy: Nope.
\nBLS: Let’s see . . . did you hold a garage sale?
\nGuy: Yup. We sold our bedroom furniture.
\nBLS: You did? Hey, that counts! Guess what, you’re employed!
\nGuy: How’s that?
\nBLS: Yes. You held a garage sale. That’s work. So you’re employed.
\nGuy: Cool.<\/p>\n
Reference: Obama allows new work requirements to qualify for welfare assistance: massage, exercise, journaling, motivational reading, smoking cessation, weight loss promotion, participation in parent-teacher meetings, or helping friends or family with household tasks and errands all qualify as work<\/a>.<\/p>\n