Another Grim Economic Indicator: Underemployment Hit All-time High In September

Statement

Dear Neighbor,

Recent unemployment numbers confirmed that our economy has yet to experience any real recovery. In addition, the untold side of the unemployment story is that millions of Americans remain underemployed.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the month of September experienced a 17.1 underemployment rate -- which is an all-time high. Underemployment occurs when individuals are unemployed, unable to find full-time work, or want to work but are discouraged from looking.

While Americans are struggling to find work and accepting employment below their capabilities, Washington, D.C. remains out-of-touch with workers day-to-day struggles. One of the hurdles facing employers, and hence employees, is the enormous uncertainty about the future. Businesses and families are rightfully worried about future tax burdens and reticent to hire, spend or invest. As a former small business owner, I understand the best step Congress could take would be to permanently extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, repeal the most onerous provisions of the new health care mandates, rollback government spending to 2008 levels, and prevent the implementation of a national energy tax that would have businesses fleeing to other countries.

I stand ready to work on the issues that are negatively impacting all Americans and I welcome your feedback. Please feel free to email me through my website and share your ideas about how we can get out country back on track.

Sincerely,

KEN CALVERT
Member of Congress

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