Resurgent Republic & Unemployment Woes

This morning, Resurgent Republic released findings from a series of focus groups in Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  The groups were comprised of Blue Collar Catholic voters.

While the report touched on an array of issues, the familiar theme was economic prosperity.  So clear was this theme, that the report's key findings read "Even considering their religious beliefs, these voters' personal fiscal and pocketbook concerns overwhelmingly shape how they view the direction of the country and the health of the economy...Whoever appeals to this target demographic will do so by connecting with their personal sense of suffering and the issues they care about, primarily their desire for quality, family-supporting jobs."

It has long been the belief of those who research un- and under- employment that the real unemployment numbers -that data that include both those people who are still looking and those who have given up in their job search -is higher than what is being reported.  That held true in Resurgent's findings.  One respondent in Pittsburgh was blunt in her assessment asking, "Is the reduction of unemployment an accomplishment?  Not when you know five people who are unemployed."  Respondents were agreement that the reported national unemployment numbers aren't a realistic indicator of what's happening on the ground.

Underemployment has also been a serious concern.  In the President's State of the Union Address in January, he mentioned the need for a highly skilled workforce to fill vacant, high-paying jobs.  Many companies simply cannot grow in the current environment because the pool of qualified workers to draw from is so thin.  This creates a harsh environment for the unemployed who once worked in manufacturing jobs:  Either find the necessary skill set or work for less money.

A respondent in Cleveland captured this saying simply that "You are not going to find a job making the same money you used to."

The tech industry's ability to lead an economic recovery should not be underestimated.  As the economic downturn continues to take its toll on both our wallets and psyches, it's imperative that candidates on both sides of the aisle foster innovation at home.  Policymakers can help to spur technical advancements, create jobs, and drive economic growth.