re: Record 95,102,000 Americans Not in Labor Force; Up 18% Since Obama Took Office

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Actually I was incorrect. That 95 million # is basically all humans 16 and over capable of work. I was mistaken.

However, the stagnation of our economy is not due to retirees. I've posted the statistics tirelessly in the past showing older people working longer due to uncertainty in the economy, record # of food stamps, declining home ownership, lowering of work week hours, part-time vs. full time jobs and decreasing to stagnant median income.

I'm not posting the links to that today because I'm off. Mmcgrath, you know of the stats I've posted. We've had this argument many times.

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Thank you for admitting that. Obviously the "anthrax is airborne" poster would never admit to a mistake.

In actuality, short term recessions cause the LFP rate to spike as some of those stay at home moms and early retirees jump back into the workforce to make ends meet. People close to retirement hold off. Then when the recession is over the rate falls back down to where it would have been if it followed the trend.

On top of that, the characteristics of the Baby Boomers was that they worked until longer in life and had more dual income families than the generations before and after. The younger generations nowadays tend to have more stay at home moms than Baby Boomers, believe it or not.

Finally, the excessive public raises handed out in the late 1990's are coming home to roost as new workers are retiring after 20 years since their pensions (meant to be based off lower wages) are so lucrative. I have several cousins just shy of 50 who are retired former police officers. With pensions close to or above 6 figures, why work?