Informative Essay on American Government

Assignment 2: Current Events Research Paper By Tuesday, February 12, 2013, draft a paper that critically analyzes a current, domestic or foreign political issue of importance to the United States. Students will (1) identify a current political event to analyze; (2) research and summarize the different approaches to understanding the political issue selected; (3) provide a clear, personal analysis of the issue and an explanation of the core values and assumptions that informs their analysis.

The student will be expected to support their discussion with primary texts and from pre-approved secondary sources (including, but not limited to the course text, online lectures, and a list of suggested online resources). Your paper should be 6–8 pages in length and include proper APA citation. Submit your essay to the appropriate topic in the W5: Assignment 2 Dropbox. Remember, you should utilize information provided from each week of the course to complete your essay www. tradingeconomics. com/united-states/unemployment-rate United States Unemployment RateUnemployment Rate in the United States increased to 7. 0 percent in January of 2013 from 7. 80 percent in December of 2012. Unemployment Rate in the United States is reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Historically, from 1948 until 2013, the United States Unemployment Rate averaged 5. 81 Percent reaching an all time high of 10. 80 Percent in November of 1982 and a record low of 2. 50 Percent in May of 1953. In the United States, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force. This page includes a chart with historical data for the United States Unemployment Rate. | | |

United States Unemployment Rate at 7. 9%, Payroll Employment RisesBLS | Nuno Fontes | nuno@tradingeconomics. com | 2/1/2013 1:36:00 PM Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 157,000 in January, and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 7. 9 percent. Retail trade, construction, health care, and wholesale trade added jobs over the month. The number of unemployed persons, at 12. 3 million, was little changed in January. The unemployment rate was 7. 9 percent and has been at or near that level since September 2012. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (7. percent), adult women (7. 3 percent), teenagers (23. 4 percent), whites (7. 0 percent), blacks (13. 8 percent), and Hipics (9. 7 percent) showed little or no change in January. The jobless rate for Asians was 6. 5 percent (not seasonally adjusted), little changed from a year earlier. In January, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was about unchanged at 4. 7 million and accounted for 38. 1 percent of the unemployed. Both the employment-population ratio (58. 6 percent) and the civilian labor force participation rate (63. percent) were unchanged in January. The number of persons employed part time for economic reasons, at 8. 0 million, changed little in January. These individuals were working part time because their hours had been cut back or because they were unable to find a full-time job. In January, 2. 4 million persons were marginally attached to the labor force, down by 366,000 from a year earlier (not seasonally adjusted. ) These individuals were not in the labor force, wanted and were available for work, and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months.

They were not counted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey. Among the marginally attached, there were 804,000 discouraged workers in January, a decline of 255,000 from a year earlier (not seasonally adjusted. ) Discouraged workers are persons not currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available for them. The remaining 1. 6 million persons marginally attached to the labor force in January had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey for reasons such as school attendance or family responsibilities. | | | The dictionary definition defines unemployment as one who lacks employment. I define unemployment as a sign of the times. Every time you put on the news you hear of another company who is laying off employees. It started after 9/11 with the Airline industry, now it is the Auto industry and most recently Courier services such as DHL Express. During this presidential election, the major topic McCain and Obama have discussed is our economy. As the nation’s unemployment rate jumped to a 5-year high, the nation is now facing a recession.

Since the beginning of the year 605,000 jobs have been lost says the labor department. During the summer the unemployment rate went from 5. 7% in July to 6. 1 % in August. Related Articles Denied Unemployment Benefits Online Loans for the Unemployed status Unemployment Benefits and Bankruptcy Filing Unemployment Claim Outsourcing is one of the major reasons for this problem in America. The outsourcing of American jobs to other countries has become a problem of epic proportion. A report cited on CNN and co-written by Kate Bronfenbrenner, who is a labor expert, documented approximately 48,000 U. S. obs. These jobs were outsourced from January through March 2004 to other countries or publicly announced as being scheduled for outsourcing. It is unclear how many accounting, engineering, technical support and other professional jobs have moved offshore in recent years. For example, if you have customer service questions for Toshiba Computers, you will be directed to an employee in India. Some experts believe as many as 200,000 service jobs could be lost each year for the next 11 years. On the other hand, outsourcing is a reason that developing countries will not be able to gain economic freedom.

The U. S. depends on these countries to provide goods and services at a cheaper rate. The developing country is so poor that they welcome the small amount of money for their goods and services. It is because of their dependency on us that will contribute to their inability to obtain financial independence and financial development. Boeing is one of the largest companies that sends more jobs overseas than any other company. Boeing isn’t only looking for cheaper labor; they are looking for countries that are in the market to buy planes.

A Boeing spokesperson stated, “Officials are drawn to cheap labor, but sales are more important”. Thus if we want to lower the unemployment rate we have to lower the expense of our living. Ads by Google Government Assisted PhoneGet a Free Phone & Monthly Plan. See if You Qualify for One Today! www. assurancewireless. com Unemployed Health InsuranceExplore Health Insurance Options for the Unemployed – Online! Unemployed-Health-Insurance. com Grants For Online SchoolsGo To School While Working. You May Qualify For Grants To Start School! ww. classesandcareers. com/schools Though experts say unemployment is going to keep rising, Congress is making an effort to slow the job loss down. For example, Congress is preparing an idea to help Americans out; it is the idea of Unemployment Insurance. For example someone who made $70 a week for three months before taxes will get $40, and someone who made $850 a week for three months before taxes will get the maximum $450. Some people argue that illegal immigrants are causing our economy’s unemployment rate.

Congress believes that the 12 million illegal immigrants that are working for $10 an hour are taking the jobs of American citizens. Immigration has reduced all workers wages by 4%. Between March 2000 and March 2004 the number of Americans unemployed grew to 2. 3 million; on the other hand the number of employed immigrants grew to 2. 3 million. Many businesses say that the immigrants just work the jobs that Americans don’t want, but now more than ever Americans need those jobs. There are many negative effects that come from unemployment.

One being that those who are unemployed are no longer able to support the economy, because they no longer can afford to buy what they once did. It also forces people into poverty. If someone is let go in order to maximize profits, and they are no longer able to support themselves or their families, and are unable to find a job that can accommodate their needs, how are they supposed to live up to the standard of living? President Elect Barack Obama has given Americans hope for the future. He has spoken about extending the unemployment benefits for Americans that need it.

He has spoken about outsourcing and providing companies an incentive for keeping jobs in the U. S. He has spoken about Universal Healthcare. The hope he brings to each American is that he puts them, their families, and their interests first. I believe, as other American’s believe, that President Elect Obama’s intentions are sincere. Only time will tell if he can do all of the things he dreams of. The state of this country’s financial affairs are so low at this point, the hope of the future sure looks good! www. articlesbase. com/business-articles/unemployment-in-america…