February 2023 Three Graphs Demonstrating the Real Real State of the Union

There has Been No Recovery!: Since June 2009 Americans have lived in the false reality of a recovering economy.  Various fake news and manipulated statistics have been used to create this false impression.  However, indicators that really count have not supported the false picture and were ignored. For example, it is normal in a recovering or expanding economy for the labor force participation rate to rise as people enter the workforce to take advantage of the job opportunities.  During the decade of the long recovery, from June 2009 through December 2003, the labor force participation rate consistently fell from 65.7 to 62.3 percent. —Paul Craig Roberts, The Diminishing American Economy (Updated)

Fred Labor Force Participation Rate is 62.3% 

Shadow Government Statistics Alternate Unemployment Charts The seasonally-adjusted SGS Alternate Unemployment Rate reflects current unemployment reporting methodology adjusted for SGS-estimated long-term discouraged workers, who were defined out of official existence in 1994. That estimate is added to the BLS estimate of U-6 unemployment, which includes short-term discouraged workers. The U-3 unemployment rate is the monthly headline number. The U-6 unemployment rate is the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) broadest unemployment measure, including short-term discouraged and other marginally-attached workers as well as those forced to because they cannot find full-time employment.Dec 2022 ShadowStats Alternate Unemployment held at 24.4% on top of U.6 declining to 6.5% from 6.7%FRED: Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Purchasing Power of the Consumer Dollar in U.S. City Average $33.7 (1980=$1,00)