From: alex@engr3.umbc.edu (alex)
Newsgroups: alt.rush-limbaugh,alt.fan.rush-limbaugh
Subject: misinformation from the right
Date: 27 Aug 92 18:25:10 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Maryland Baltimore Campus


	Back in the days when Mike Schwartz and Don Palmrose were willing 
to follow Dan Quayle's lead and insist that there was 12% unemployement
under Jimmy Carter (You remember, the one who is going to be implemented
in the BCCI scandle real soon now), there were several requests for the
yearly unemployment stats for the last 20 years. Hear they are, up to
1988, I trust we can agree on the numbers for the last 4 years ...

	As an aside, I haven't found any double digit unemployment in
this chart, perhaps someone who remembers the Carter years better then
I can enlighten me.

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In article <guido.714937170@sparc-3>, guido@blink.att.com (Guido Bertocci) writes:
From: guido@blink.att.com (Guido Bertocci)
Subject: Re: Using misinformation

I wouldn't normally bother posting, however, there seems to be an
insistence on using statistical data about inflation and unemployment 
to make political points that is simply not true.

Since the data is easily available I have posted it below.

Data is from the 1990 Statistical Abstract of the US
published by the govt. printing office.  Feel free to order your own 
copy for about $30 at 202-783-3238.

CPI is consumer price index. 
Energy is increase in energy costs (primarily oil)  which is one of
   elements of CPI. Data is from chart 757

Unemployment is from chart 624 and is defined as percentage of labor
force including Armed Forces.

	 (% increase)  (% of workforce)
year	 CPI	energy	Unemployment
70	 5.7	 2.8	4.8	Nixon
71	 4.4	 3.9	Not available
72	 3.2	 2.6	Not available
73	 6.2	 8.1	Not available
74	11.0	29.6	Not available
75	 9.1	10.5	8.3	Ford
76	 5.8  	 7.1	7.6
77	 6.5	 9.5	6.9	Carter
78	 7.6	 6.3	6.0
79	11.3	25.1	5.8
80	13.5	30.9	7.0
81	10.3	13.6	7.5	Reagan
82	 6.2	 1.5	9.5
83	 3.2	  .7	9.5
84	 4.3	 1.0	7.4
85	 3.6	  .7	7.1
86	 1.9   -13.2	6.9
87	 3.6	  .5	6.1
88	 4.1	  .8	5.4

The data clearly shows that unemployment was higher under Ford
and Reagan than under Carter.  (One is certainly free to argue 
how long a particular administrations responsibilities carry over into the
next).

The data also clearly shows the direct correlation between inflation (CPI) and
energy prices.   Again this is not surprising since energy is one of the most
significant components of CPI.  Other elements in the in the "basket of goods
and services" include food, shelter, transportation, apparel and upkeep.
Oil has an impact over several areas since it is used to make fuel,
fertilizer, power factories, synthetic, etc.

For those of you who want to argue about how awful Carter's administration
was and what horrible economic policies he had, at least have the courtesy
to use valid data.  (If you have different numbers feel free to post them
along with their source).

My own interpretation of the data is that inflation was drastically 
reduced in the 80s due to falling oil prices and was on its way down
before Carter left office.  If you think that Carter or Reagan were
primarily responsible for driving oil prices up or down feel free to
argue that as well, but try to be specific on why or how they did it.
Don't forget to consider the big jump in energy prices in 74 and 75.

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-- 
                               Alex Crain::UMBC Academic Computing Services
The feminist agenda is a socialist, anti-family political movement that 
encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice 
witchcraft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. - Pat Robertson 1992
Newsgroups: alt.rush-limbaugh,alt.activism.d,alt.news-media